Delving Into Tigerfish Transcription: A Worthwhile Investment of Your Time, or Just Hype?

Tigerfish Transcription: Is It Worth your Effort?
So, you’re looking for a side gig in transcription, right? There are lots of platforms out there, but let’s focus on one: Tigerfish. I’m going to help you determine if it’s a good fit for you.

In a Nutshell
Tigerfish has a really basic website, but it’s been around since 1989. They pride themselves on friendly service and provide transcription and writing to help businesses. What’s cool is, they promise to transcribe any pre-recorded or live event within two hours flat! Sounds awesome for their clients, but for you as a transcriber, it means deadlines will be pretty tight.

The Tigerfish Process
The Tigerfish website is pretty barebones, so there’s not a lot of info on how it all works. Basically, clients submit an order on the website, providing some basic details. Next, the Tigerfish team gets in touch with the client to finalize the delivery timeline. After the file is uploaded to the platform, it gets assigned to a transcriber – that could be you!

Getting on Board
To work for Tigerfish, you need to be a legal resident or a U.S. citizen, have a high-speed internet connection, a Windows-based computer, Express Scribe software (that’s a free transcription software program) and a phone number. You’ll also have to pass some skill tests.

How Much Will You Make?
Tigerfish is a bit hush-hush about how much you’ll earn. There’s tons of work, but the pay is usually on the lower side. Instead of paying per audio minute like most companies, they pay per line – about $0.03 to $0.04. That works out to roughly half a penny per word. For more experienced transcriptionists, the pay might go up to $8 to $10 per hour. Payments are made weekly via PayPal.

Reputation
Tigerfish has a good standing in the industry. Many users like the plentiful work but admit the pay is a bit low. They’ve got a supportive team though and people seem to like working for them. It’s definitely a good starting point for beginners to build their skills.

Getting Started
Okay, so you’re ready to get your feet wet? First, download the company’s style guide. Next, do a sample transcription test. This averages about 20 minutes per segment. If it takes you way longer, you might find keeping up with client deadlines challenging. When you’re done, email it to them along with key info about yourself.

The Downsides
Like anything, it’s not all rainbows. Pay is low even for experienced transcriptionists. You’ll need to purchase full software ($200) to work regularly. Sometimes there’s lots of work but other times not so much, so don’t count on it for a full-time gig.

Final Thoughts
Tigerfish Transcription has a good rep and is beginner-friendly. However, the initial pay is low and you’ll need to invest in some software. It’s a solid choice if you’re new and want to gain experience, aiming for higher-paying platforms in the future. This side gig isn’t the best one for those seeking a primary income source, but it’s decent for those looking for a bit of extra work to fit in their schedule.