Dive into the World of Transcription: Your In-Depth Look at CrowdSurf
Looking for a way to make some extra cash with your super typing skills? Transcribing might just be your thing, and CrowdSurf could be the platform to start with. Allow me to give you some info on it.
What is CrowdSurf, you may ask? Well, it offers on-demand services like transcription (turning spoken words into texts) and captioning (adding text to videos) for online content. It ranges from interviews to cartoons, and they always welcome freelancers who can produce clean, accurate transcriptions. Amazingly, you don’t need previous transcription experience to work with them.
So how does CrowdSurf work? It’s all done through bite-sized video files that clients upload. These are up for grabs, and you can choose whatever project you fancy. The great part is there’s no pressures of minimum hours or work quota. You can work whenever you want and get paid daily. And yes, you will be able to see project specifics before picking any work.
Sounds cool? Ready to get started? Hold up, here are the basic requirements:
– A valid US or Canadian ID
– A reliable computer with a good internet connection
– English fluency and great typing, proofreading, problem-solving, and listening skills
– Team collaboration abilities
It’s suggested you have headphones for better sound experience and the Google Chrome Browser for the best interactions with their system. A foot pedal for stopping and starting audio playback can be handy too.
How much can you earn, you wonder? That depends on your speed and the amount of work. The rate is approximately $0.17 to $0.20 per minute of media transcribed. Take note that this is not your hourly earning – a seasoned transcriber usually takes four or five minutes to transcribe a one-minute media file. As a newbie, you might take seven or eight minutes. This translates to about $3 per hour. But the tasks are usually brief and fit into your day quite smoothly.
CrowdSurf pays weekly, typically via check, but they may have other payment options you can go with.
Online reviews for CrowdSurf are pretty decent, with a rating of 3.4 out of 5 on Glassdoor. There are some low and high ratings with comments referring to platform accessibility and growth opportunities.
Ready to work with CrowdSurf now? Here’s the procedure: First, sign up on the Work Market (where CrowdSurf hires freelancers). You enter your name, email, choose “Writing and Translation” as your primary industry, and provide your zip code. Wait for your profile and tax info to be reviewed (takes about 24 hours). Once approved, you pick your payment method. You can now apply to work as a CrowdSurf transcriber. Give the guidelines a good read, take a short test, and wait for your CrowdSurf account to be set up (this takes about 3 days). Log in details will be sent to your email and voila! You can start picking the work you like.
Okay, everything’s is not all rosy, so here are some possible drawbacks:
– The pay-per-hour can be quite low.
– No immediate start; you’ll have to wait for profile approval and account setup which can take a week.
– Tasks are very brief, which can be an issue if you’re looking for full-time transcribing work.
– The company isn’t listed on Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau.
But overall, CrowdSurf is a cool option for novice transcribers looking to gain experience while earning some cash. There’s no need for prior experience or investing in expensive transcription tools, except for a good computer, reliable internet, and headphones. You can pick and choose your projects, work at your pace, and even earn bonuses over time. So, if transcription sounds like your thing, go ahead, and give CrowdSurf a try!
