Freelance transcription from home

Researchers and graduate students, small businesses, podcasters, journalists, coaches and consultants who need recordings written up.

Usually a rate per audio minute or per audio hour, with extra for poor audio, many speakers, rush turnaround or time-stamping. Repeat clients give steadier work than one-off jobs.

• Fast, accurate typing
• Excellent grammar and proofreading
• Careful listening and focus
• Meeting deadlines

• Confidentiality: clients may expect you to keep recordings private, so consider a simple confidentiality agreement
• Check whether your city or county requires a general business license for home-based work, and any HOA or lease rules
• Income is per audio minute, so slow typing or difficult audio can mean a low effective hourly rate
• Check if you need to register as a sole proprietor or LLC, and set aside money for self-employment taxes

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $100 to $800, depending on the computer, headphones and transcription software you already have or need to buy. Treat this as a rough estimate for a basic home setup.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $300 to $2,500, depending on your typing speed, audio quality, how many clients you have and your hours. Pay is per audio minute, so difficult audio can lower your effective rate.

Check whether clients expect confidentiality, and consider a simple confidentiality agreement. Also check whether your city or county requires a business license for home-based work, any HOA or lease rules, and sole proprietor or LLC registration and self-employment taxes.