SpeakWrite Review – Is SpeakWrite A Scam?
Welcome To My SpeakWrite Review!.
SpeakWrite Offer a Remote Job from home transcribing audio files to text documents.
Transcription Jobs online seem to be like a gold mine with a seemingly endless list of potential employers including BabbleType TranscribeMe, QuickTate, Allegis Transcription, CastingWords and many, many, many, more!.
The tough part is not finding a job in this area, it is finding a good one that pays well and offers a regular work flow.
That is what I will be uncovering in this review of SpeakWrite, Are they a scam? and covering the important details about the company, their recruitment process, the job the sweet details of the salary and how you will be paid.
Before I get to it...
If you are considering a career in online transcription check out this FREE 7 Day Transcription Training course.
Are you ready to find out all about SpeakWrite? Is SpeakWrite A Scam?
Yes?,
Then keep reading!.
SpeakWrite Review
Product Name: SpeakWrite
Founder(s): Richard Jackson
Product Type: Work At Home Remote Transcriber Jobs
Price: Free
Best For: Experienced general and Legal transcriptionists.
Summary: SpeakWrite are one of the better work from home opportunities for transcription work as both general and legal transcribers. The stand out point is the possibility of regular work, but the recruitment process is rather tough and stringent. Keep reading to find out if you can meet their expectations.
Rating: 90/100
Recommended: Yes.
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What Is SpeakWrite?
SpeakWrite, founded in 1997 by Richard Jackson and are headquartered in Austin, Texas describe themselves as an unlimited scalable human powered transcription company with a system that manages the work flow to their expert network of transcribers and typists at an unmatched speed.
To date they have served over 60,000 clients including government agency's, law firms, court houses, Policy Agencies, private investigators, The FBI, American Bar Association, insurance companies and attorneys.
SpeakWrite was founded by Richard Jackson, a commercial litigator with 30+ year experience running his own law firm employing 50+ people.
It was his own company's requirement to have legal documents produced quickly and accurately that sparked the idea of starting is his own transcription company!.
SpeakWrite offer work for you in the field of legal transcription and general transcription. There tends to be a substantial amount of work in the legal field, if you have experience here that would be advantageous.
Similar companies and competitors According to Owler include:
- WordZXpressed
- CopyTalk
- M*Modal
- Nuance
- Keystrokes
- Mobile Assistant
- Transcribe
- MRA
- Trust HCS
Currently they have 79 employees and generate US$33.5 Million annually.
How Does SpeakWrite Work?
SpeakWrite allows their clients to submit their dictation file be it an audio or video file to their system and provide a 3 hour Turn Around Time from submission to completion.
The transcribes files will be sent by email in their preferred word processing software, be it Word Perfect MS Word or any other which they require.
Note: I have seen 2 hour turn around times for transcription companies, this is for general transcriptions. 3 hours is fast for complex legal documents.
They have 3 different types of transcription work for you which are:
- General transcription.
- Legal Transcription
- Spanish Transcription (and other languages).
As a general transcriptionist this work might better suited for you if your are inexperienced and wanting to try out remote transcription jobs to find out if this kind of work is ideal for you.
The type of work here will involve transcribing:
- Speeches
- Podcasts
- Meetings
Legal transcription work will involve you working on various projects including sensitive and private information. It is a more skilled and technical form of transcription and will require you to sign a non-disclosure report.
The type of work can involve transcribing:
- Legal files
- Court Documents
- Police reports
Spanish and other bilingual transcription work can be assigned to both legal and general transcription projects with the exception of the target language being a language other than English.
What Is The Work Like?
The core work of what comes SpeakWrite's way is legal transcription, which by its nature can be very technical and requires knowledge and experience in this area due to the vocabulary used, and styling required.
Legal transcription requires a high level of grammar, including punctuation.
Lawyers Litigate, Transcribers Punctuate #TranscriptionJobs #WorkFromHome
Transcription of this nature can be learned just like any skill.
If you are inexperienced and interested in a career as a legal transcriptionist both online and offline This FREE 4 day Legal Transcription Mini-Course will help you to dip your toes in the waters.
In general the work with this company can be fun, interesting and varied. If you are a little gossip...remember that non-disclosure agreement!. You could end up with some very interesting case files!.
What Are The Application Requirements?
Although the description of the job falls into the work from home data entry jobs category SpeakWrite are not a data entry farm like SigTrack.
And,
They are not like the majority of other remote transcription jobs out there. Like 3Play Media and GMR Transcriptions they are looking for quality.
Before you apply you must have the ability to type at 60 words per minute with a 90% accuracy rate.
For general transcriptionist applications you must be able to demonstrate a minimum of 1 year experience as a transcriber and have word processing experience.
For legal transcription applicants the standards are a little bit higher where you must be able to demonstrate at least 2 years of experience in the field of legal transcription with a law firm.
You should also be familiar with and have detailed knowledge of court depositions, legal proceedings, court headings, agreements and technical legal terms and language used as well as the required styling.
The requirements for foreign language transcription are the same with the only added requirement is to be fluent in both the target language and the language the file is in, which is more commonly English.
Which ever one of the positions you are applying for it is obliged that you are a resident in the US or Canada and have strong grasp of the English Language including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
If you don't meet those requirements for whatever reason be it not residing in America or Canada or meeting their 60 words per minute requirement you can consider other work from home opportunities such a becoming a proofreader and Proofread Anywhere you are in the world.
Other options include becoming a a Virtual Assistant and working from home (I hire two VA's! Proof enough of the jobs viability!); Online Book Keeping and Teaching English Online are all professions that you can do from the comfort of your home.
Equipment Requirements
There are some technical requirement as far as equipment is concerned, which are as follows:
- Windows based laptop or PC with 1GB of RAM or more.
- Windows 7 OS or above.
- Fully licences version of MS Word, 2007 or above (I expect this will rise to office 365 soon.).
- Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher.
- Microsoft Browser, Internet Explorer 8.0 or greater, (I expect this is will change at some point to Microsoft Edge).
- Windows Media Player Version 10, 11 or 12.
- Laser or Injet printer.
- Quality Earphones, (Transcriptionist Headset Advised)
- Transcriptionists Foot Pedal
Not required but advised is professional transcription software and a spelling and grammar checker to help you get the job done faster better and to a greater standard.
What Is The Application Process Like?
The application process with SpeakWrite is no different from any other transcription company and is what I would expect from a company of such high standing.
I will say that their selection and hiring process is tougher and more stringent than all other transcription companies I have come across - and I have reviewed 100+ similar companies!.
When you apply to be a Transcriptionist you will need to complete their application form, take and pass a typing speed and accuracy test, detail your work history and successfully transcribe 10 test files.
The typing test is to prove and demonstrate that you can type at a speed of 60 words per minute and have an accuracy of 90%.
Before you take their typing test, you can try out a free typing test online and practice a bit to make sure you meet their requirements.
I strongly advise taking this FREE 7 Day Transcriber Training Course before you apply and take any of their 10 transcription tests. What you learn will put you in a good stead for passing the tests.
You will also need to send details about your work history and answering questions about experience related to transcribing for the human resources department at SpeakWrite to see if you are a good candidate.
And then, it is time for the transcription tests.
Most of the so-so low quality trashy transcription agencies on the internet only request one test to be completed. The more serious ones request more, like 5 from 3Play Media, and GMR Transcription require one transcription test but you take on 2 hours of unpaid trial work.
These guys ask for 10!.
That is a lot, but if you look at it from the other angle this is a demonstration of the seriousness of the company and their legitimacy.
I advise before you take their tests and have gone through the Free 7 day transcription training that I suggested, I recommend you read and understand their company manual for transcriptionists.
This will help you to comprehend their styling guide and understand what they are looking for and help yourself to meet their quality standards.
The next check is a background check.
This check will be paid by the company, you will not be out of pocket. You will not be hired until the check has been completed.
The check is more of a criminal background check and not of your credit history or driving record.
Once you have passed the check you will be asked to undergo a weeks unpaid training.
This is not training to be a transcriber or transcriptionist, it is more on SpeakWrites Procedures, policy, styling and using their system.
Are There Any Set Working Hours?
Not as such as you are free to choose your own hours but you do have to schedule your availability with them in advance.
There are 2 statuses that you have to commit to which are:
- Primary.
- Standby.
If you are on standby you may not get as much work coming your way but will get the "emergency must do" which must be completed quickly kind of tasks.
As a Primary, you will be getting a more regular work flow coming your way.
It is in my understanding that to begin with as a new transcriber work will be limited, as you grow and they gain confidence and trust in your skills and quality of work more work will come your way.
It is said that after 3 to 4 months and you get a lot of positive feedback you will be able to schedule more hours and work as much as 40 hours per week.
Do, keep it in mind that you are not paid by the hour but in a per job completed basis.
How Much Can You Make With SpeakWrite?
If anyone, SpeakWrite Included, give you an exact number then that is only a guideline.
Nobody can give you an exact figure in this industry, regardless of who you are working for or with as it fully dependent on a number of variables including how quickly you can get the job done, the quality of your work, the rate of pay and how many tasks you can successfully complete.
The rate of pay at SpeakWrite is US$0.005 - US$0.006 per word transcribed which is US$5 - US$6 per 1,000 words.
Due to varying typing speeds and editing and proofreading required before sending in a competed document it is not possible to calculate an hourly rate.
I expect experienced transcriptionists to be able to hit the US$12 to US$15 per hour mark or more.
It is claimed that legal transcriptionists can pull in US$450 to US$3,400 which is not elevated or exaggerated.
It is what I would expect a legal transcriber to earn.
General transcriptionists fall in the US$300 to US$3,000 per month, which is not bad at all for a work from home gig!.
How Does SpeakWrite Pay You?
As a remote transcriber with SpeakWrite you will be paid twice per month directly to your bank, by check or Paypal.
Those based in Canada will only be paid by check.
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Is This A WorldWide Work From Home Opportunity?
There is a little bit of international love going on here, just a tiny bit as it is available to only two countries, the, US and Canada.
This is not a worldwide opportunity!.
Is SpeakWrite Accredited By The BBB?
Something that I, and you too, should check out as a matter of habit is how a work from home opportunity is rated by the Better Business Bureau.
From the BBB listing you can gather a lot of unwritten information such seeing how professional they take their own business and how trusting you can of them.
SpeakWrite are Unaccredited and currently hold a perfect A+ rating.
Common Complaints & SpeakWrite Reviews
Currently Speaking SpeakWrite are rated at what I would call "bang average" with a score of 2.5 on Glassdoor from 48 reviews with only 41% saying they would recommend SpeakWrite to a friend.
At Indeed they, indeed did fair much better but the individual rating were all over the place with one person rating them at 5.0 and then next 1.0, followed by a 4.0 rating and then a 2.0 rating.
There was no level consistency, overall their ratings were okish to below average for the individual categories.
What I Liked About SpeakWrite
There are a lot of good things to be said about SpeakWrite, Here is what I liked.
- Perfectly Rated By the Better Business Bureau at A+.
- They are a company you can trust.
- Offer a legitimate Work from home remote transcription job.
- It appears that they do pay well.
- Work well and you have the chance for regular work.
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What I Did Not Like About SpeakWrite
There were some things that I did not like about SpeakWrite, which were:
- Not accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
- The Application and selection process can be tough.
- Not an international opportunity.
- Work can be slow during your first 3 to 4 months until you gain trust with them.
Can You Make Money With SpeakWrite Review?
Yes,
This is a company that offer you the opportunity to work from home and get paid for your efforts.
You do the work, you get paid for your effort. I will say that SpeakWrite alongside 3Play Media and GMR Transcription, they appear to be one of the better providers of transcription jobs.
Is SpeakWrite Review A Scam Or Legit?
No,
SpeakWrite are not a scam. I have not uncovered any reason or direct evidence to suggest that an act of fraud or deception is taking place that would lead you to be at a loss.
SpeakWrite, in my opinion are completely legit.
SpeakWrite Review Alternatives
There are an incredible amount of transcription agencies online that you can work with that are similar to SpeakWrite:
I would love to list all of the agencies that are offering remote transcriber jobs, but that is impossible, there are literally hundreds!.
The two that do stand out are the top two and those alongside SpeakWrite and managed well can lead to you having enough regular work on a regular basis to consider yourself as a full time work from home transcriber.
But,
Jobs with SpeakWrite, GMR Transcription and 3Play Media are hard to get and tend to scooped up quickly by experienced transcribers.
If you are an experienced transcriber, go for it!. If not don't be discouraged, get out there get certified and go get experience!.
It is not as if there is a shortage of work or companies seeking transcribers!.
The best training course there is to become a certified transcriptionist is Transcribe Anywhere, which offer both general and legal transcription courses.
Transcribe Anywhere was made by a 10 year veteran transcriber for transcribers, who owns her own agency. Complete the course well enough and you may be considered for work as the owner has a natural preference for those she has trained!.
My SpeakWrite Review - The Final Conclusion
SpeakWrite are a legitimate work from home opportunity that has been around since 1997!.
Their stringent process of hiring may be tough but it is an indication of a lot of good and serious work that can come your way.
These guys are no cowboys, they are the read deal.
If you meet their application requirements, it's green for go!.
Good luck!.
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