Is Focus Forward Transcription A Scam? An Honest [Review]

Welcome To My Focus Forward Transcription Review!. 

With the absolute barrage of companies offering online transcriber jobs, it is hardly a surprise that you are asking yourself "Is Focus Forward Transcription A Scam?".  

Appen, SpeakWrite, TranscribeMe, Rev, QuickTate, Daily Transcription, SpeechPad.....

.....One thing that is very clear is if you are a transcriptionist you have an abundance of opportunities available to you online. 

You just need to find a few good companies to work with and you are on a home run to working from home as remote transcriptionist!. 

Before I get started...

If you are curious about a career in transcription Take This Free Free 7 Day Mini Course and pick up a ton of tips and get stared on the right foot!.

Are you ready to find out if Focus Forward Transcription Is A Scam Or Legit? 

Yes?, 

Then keep reading!. 

Focus Forward Transcription, founded by Kim Harrison in 2002 and headquartered in Pennsylvania are a transcription agency that provide a wide variety of transcriptions across a number of different industries and areas including: 

• Academic
• Audio
• Business
• Legal transcription
• Market Research
• Medical Transcription
• Podcast Transcription
• Production
• Video

Typically, their audio files are 60 minutes long and take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours to complete, varying on your typing speed, ability and the quality of the audio.

Besides transcription, other services they provide to their clients include Captioning, Coding, Editing & Proofreading and Spanish Translation. 

Similar companies and competitors to Focus Forward Transcription include:

1. Appen
2. TranscribeMe
3. BabbleType
4. Daily Transcription 
5. AccuTran
6. Rev
7. SpeechPad

Focus Forward Transcription are reported to have 94 employees and generate an estimated US$1.8 Million dollars per year according to Owler.

Focus Forward Transcription function as a business using the agency business model. 

Their network of clients contact them and use their services to get the various files that they need transcribed which then get transcribed by their competent and skilled transcribers. 

A very simple, common and completely legitimate business model. 

Working with clients like Focus Forward Transcription and Allegis Transcription for example saves you a lot of time as a freelancer in hunting and searching for your own clients on sites like Upwork and Fiverr freeing up more time for you to earn money.  

What Is The Work Like?

The work itself from this company is not outrageously different from what you would expect from any other well organised professional transcription company where you are required to put the words you hear into a text format following their set guidelines and styling. 

The only difference is the file length has a tendency to be significantly longer than what you would expect from other similar companies. 

They have very high standards and expectations, they expect your work to be on time and perfect grammar and punctuation. 

If you are not using a grammar checker or giving your work a proper double check you might not be the best fit for Focus Forward Transcription. 

What Are The Application Requirements?

It is stated that they are looking for experienced transcribers, with that said they are very open minded and will give consideration to applicants that pass their test and meet their requirements. 

• Must be over 18 years old and reside in the US*
• Fluent in English with a strong grasp of grammar and punctuation. 
• Be able to type at a speed of 50 words per minute or faster.
• A Laptop with a high speed internet connection.  
• Express Scribe Pro transcription software

There is no mention of a necessity to have a transcribers headset or foot pedal - I suggest using those to help you to get your work done faster and more efficiently. 

If you don't quite cut it and meet their expectations based on location or any other reason you can always consider a career Teaching English Online, Bookkeeping, Proofreading or becoming a virtual assistant (at this moment in time I employ 2, testament to the fact the job exists!). 

*They might not be as strict with this as it appears, I found an indication deep on their site that they may in fact hire international applicants. 

The application process with Focus Forward Transcription is very straight forward.

Head on over to their Be A Transcriber Page download the instructions and install their transcription program (free), read and understand the instructions and how to use the software. 

Take their 10 minute long transcription test, paying attention to their styling and formatting guidelines. When you are finished  fill out their application form and send it to them alongside your completed test transcription.  

In 48 hours you will hear back from them. That is very respectful and almost unheard of!.

Very common with online remote transcriber jobs is waiting as long as 2 or 3 weeks to hear back from the company!. 

While checking out some reviews and having a look at Glassdoor they don't appear to fair so well at all with a ration of 1.9 and only 1 in 4 saying they would recommend working there to a friend and less than 1 in 3 approving of the CEO. 

At indeed.com they appear to fair much better all across the board. 

There is an incredible number of transcription companies around and when I say hundreds I really do mean hundreds!. 

Here is a list of just some alternatives that you have to Focus Forward Transcription. 

1. GoTranscript
2. LionBridge
   
3. SpeakWrite
4. Verbal Ink
5. Bam! Transcription
6. Birch Creek Communications

The better ones are SpeakWrite, 3Play Media, Verbal Ink and GMR Transcription I am hesitant to add Focus Forward Transcription to that list!. 

But,

getting work from those companies is a lot more difficult than it is with others as they get scoffed up by experienced and qualified transcriptionists very quickly. 

My advice to you, if you are serious about working from home as a transcriptionist is to join the club and get qualified and fully certified here and use the smaller to mid range companies to gain the experience that you need. 

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