Unveiling SpeakWrite: Uncovering the Authenticity of its Money-Making Claims

Thinking of making some extra bucks with online transcription jobs? Allow me to introduce you to SpeakWrite. But first, let’s see if it’s a legit platform for you.

Transcription is basically listening to audio files and typing them out. Your task could be anything, like transcribing dictation notes, legal documents or podcast audio. It’s a rewarding job — you could be helping people with hearing impairments by captioning one day and assisting researchers the next.

Here’s the scoop about SpeakWrite. It was founded by a lawyer with over 30 years of experience, Richard Jackson. The company caters to general businesses and legal professionals, converting spoken words into written content. What’s special about them is the variety of ways clients submit their dictation, which could be through traditional methods like recorded tapes, emails, or web uploads. They also have a free app and a toll-free dictation line.

Once the client’s recording is in, it’s your time to shine. You choose your work hours and days for the week, and during your chosen shift, log in and accept your transcription tasks. Just keep in mind, SpeakWrite is a 24/7 operation, so they expect a fast completion time. If you can’t work a shift or have an issue with a task, make sure you tell the team right away.

Now, onto the job requirements. It’s no surprise that SpeakWrite is geared towards folks with a bit of transcription experience. After all, its legal focus calls for it. You need to have a typing speed of at least 60 words per minute with 90% accuracy and a year’s worth of word processing and transcription experience. Plus, you need to commit at least four hours per week. And yes, you have to be a legal resident of the USA or Canada (sorry, but they can’t accept applications from California due to law AB-5).

Did I mention the equipment requirements? These include a Windows-based PC with Internet Explorer version 8.0 or higher, Windows media player, earphones, and soundcard, and a foot pedal for audio playback.

Wondering about the earnings? SpeakWrite pays you $0.005 per word. This means you’ll make $5 for every 1,000 words you transcribe. If you think about the average speaking speed of about 125 words per minute, that’s about 6-7 minutes of audio. Some shifts even come with a 10% bonus. The company says its average transcriptionist makes about $450 a month, but for the best performers, it could go up to $3,400. Payments are made twice a month via check or direct deposit.

SpeakWrite has been around for more than twenty years with a solid reputation. It’s got a 3.1 out of 5 rating on Indeed along with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and zero complaints lodged against it.

But like all good things, it might not suit everyone. If you’re new to transcription, you’re out of luck here because they require at least a year of professional transcription experience. It works only with Windows PC, so Mac and tablet users can’t use it. Also, don’t expect to make a full-time income immediately— the access to more shifts is limited at first and the base rate is low.

In conclusion, if you’re after a work from home gig, transcribing for SpeakWrite is worth considering. But remember, you need at least one year’s transcription experience before you can apply. The application process is quite thorough and can take some time, but it’s a great platform to get started. Yet, if you’re looking to significantly boost your earning potential, freelancing as a transcriptionist could be a better path. Learning tools like the free Transcribe Anywhere course are a fantastic way to kickstart this.