How this Stay-at-Home Mom Made the Switch to General Transcription

We love hearing from graduates who made a career change into transcription (like Julie, for example).

It doesn't matter what your previous career was, or how old you are, or how much money you used to make. The switch to general transcription can be a great option for SO many people...

... like Angie. She's a retired stay-at-home mom who was looking for a legitimate work-from-home opportunity. Like so many others out there, she got burned by other "courses" along the way. But I'm thrilled to report that she found Transcribe Anywhere and is now a successful freelance transcriptionist.

Check out her journey below!

Q: Welcome to the blog, Angie! Can you tell us a little bit about your background? What did your life look like before Transcribe Anywhere?

I’m a retired fingerprint analyst from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I’m a stay-at-home mom, but my son is a teenager now. So, over the past few years, I’ve realized that it’s time to start my next career.

I’ve looked into every possible type of opportunity online, but nothing seemed to be legitimate work. You know those "opportunities" that always require you to purchase their amazing successful system? Yeah, not going to fall for that one. I was just looking to do REAL work from home.

Q: Finding legitimate work to do from home is definitely a struggle! So when did you make the switch to general transcription, and what made you decide to learn it?

Since I was twenty years old, I’ve always wanted to be self-employed doing exactly what it is that is involved with doing this type of work. I just didn’t know at the time that it was going to be general transcription.

One day in the summer of 2016, I came across an article online that gave a list of real work-from-home jobs, and transcription was one of them. Of course, I thought that I could figure out how to do this on my own, even after coming across Transcribe Anywhere.

After my attempt to pass a test with a transcription company, I received their email that said, “Only 17% of people that take this test will pass. You can try again in 30 days.” So I realized that everything that Janet talked about in her emails, about why you need proper training, was all very true.

I finally made the leap and purchased the course. And guess what? After graduating, I did that test again for the same company, and that very same day I was working on a project. What a great feeling that was!

Q: That had to be the best feeling ever! And I'm so glad you decided to get the proper training ;-) What was the most challenging part of getting started?

The most challenging part of trying to get started doing transcription without proper training was that I really had no idea what I was doing. I really thought that just because I could type what people are saying that I could do this without taking a course.

What I didn’t realize was that there is so much more involved in transcription. Still, I tried to find out what I could online. I even purchased a course that was under $100, only to find that it was not a course at all, but information that I had found online, on my own, put into a bunch of pdf files. So I promptly requested a refund.

Q: Yuck! I would have been upset, too. What have been the most valuable things you learned during the course?

Well, really, it’s the fact that I learned everything that I needed to know to become a transcriptionist. But the practice dictations proved to me that this is definitely what I want to do.

This course really does prepare you for the work that’s out there. And it also showed me that doing the hard work and investing in myself really pays off.

Q: When did you graduate from the course, and how long did it take you to find your first client? How many clients do you have now?

I graduated at the end of July. I immediately began to work on my website, which I learned from one of the resources given in the course. But what I realized was that I was spending too much time doing this because I was still not sure how I would measure up in the real world.

So when I saw the post from Caitlin Pyle in September on the TA Facebook group for a project that she needed transcribed, I jumped on the opportunity.

I was so nervous doing my first job for someone that teaches proofreading, but I received a great testimonial from her (see below). She also referred me to someone else in their organization who I’ve recently done work for as well.

There is nothing like getting that email asking for a quote on a transcript!

“I worked with Angie for a transcription job I needed completed promptly. And she is excellent! She was friendly in her emails and very conscientious with her work. I have high standards for people I work with, and Angie definitely met and exceeded them.” -Caitlin Pyle, President of BCP Media, Inc.

I’m also currently freelancing for two transcription companies. And I’m on a backup list for a third one, who contacted me for a project I started in November.

Q: That's so great to hear! So what advice would you give anyone thinking about becoming a transcriptionist? And I think I already know your answer to this... but is it worth the money for training?

This is a real course. There are many so-called courses out there for lower price points, but they are not real courses like Transcribe Anywhere. This course gave me a very valuable skill, and I’m very proud to be a great transcriptionist because there are not enough of us out there.

Even after graduating, I still struggled with lack of confidence in taking on work. Now I realize just how much this course gave me the skills to take on even the difficult focus groups, and my confidence is soaring.

If you’re thinking about becoming a transcriptionist, or if you’ve graduated and are feeling apprehensive about starting, you need to take the plunge. There is a lot of work out there, and know that this course prepares you to succeed.

Q: What do you think it takes to be a GOOD transcriptionist? How about a GREAT one?

A good transcriptionist is someone who just gets the job done, moves on to the next job, but really doesn’t care about the service they are providing their clients. They are only in it for the income.

A great transcriptionist cares about the end product, ensures they’ve done the best job possible, and cares that the client is very happy with the service they’ve been provided. This translates to referrals, and referrals indicate that they are a great transcriptionist.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a transcriptionist? What about your least favorite?

My favorite thing about being a transcriptionist is the freedom that I have to work according to my life schedule. I can take on as much or as little work as I want, when I want.

My least favorite thing about being a transcriptionist is… It’s taking me too long to think about what this is. I’ll have to get back to you on that. LOL!

Q: What does a typical day look like for you? Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

After my son goes to school, I sit down at my computer and plan out my day as to how much work I want to do, and then I get started on a project. I always take breaks by cranking up the music, dancing around the house, or playing with my dog.

I don’t set particular hours to work because I love breaking my work time up over the course of the whole day and evening. This way I’m always enjoying myself and getting out there to live life.

I’m finally living the life that I’ve always wanted. I’m very grateful to Janet and her Transcribe Anywhere course. I really love what I do!

Our Take

Like I said before, it doesn't matter what your previous career entailed -- transcription is a great way to make money. If a retired fingerprint analyst (which sounds super interesting, by the way) can make the switch, you can, too!

Your Turn

Are you thinking about switching gears? Looking for a different way to earn money? My free 7-day course is a great place to start.