Frequently Asked Questions

What is Being a Transcriber?

A transcriber is someone who translates spoken material (audio and video files) into a written format.  Typically, transcribers are required to follow formatting rules and style guides based on a customer's needs.  For our style guides, please visit the links listed under Resources on our home page.

What Skills Do I Need To Be a Transcriber?

We are looking for detail-oriented people, who can perform web-based searches, and can successfully listen to audio and video files for transcribing.

What Technical Requirements Do I Need?

A computer and Internet access are really all you need to get started, we do not supply these things for you.  We highly recommend you have a quiet place to work as some digital files might be difficult to hear.

What is the Salary Range?

Rates will vary per transcription assignment.  All rates are listed on our jobs posted in MTurk.  Typically, video transcription and tagging will pay more per minute.  You are in control of how much you want to work and earn.

How do I get paid?

When we approve a HIT that you've submitted, Amazon MTurk automatically transfers money to your Amazon Payment account.  If you are a new worker, Amazon requires an initial holding period before your money is transferred to your Amazon Payments account.  This holding period is an important security requirement and you will not be able to disburse funds during this time.  Your money is held until you have been active on Mechanical Turk for 10 days.

If you are a US based worker, you can choose to disburse your earnings to your U.S. bank account or to an Amazon.com gift certificate balance.  Workers in India have the option of receiving bank checks denominated in Indian Rupees or disbursing their earnings to an Amazon.com gift certificate.  All other international workers can only disburse to an Amazon.com gift certificate.  Please note that all disbursements are made in whole cents only.

For more information please visit Amazon's Mechanical Turk Works support FAQs: https://www.mturk.com/mturk/help?helpPage=worker#how_paid

When and Where Do I Work?

You are the master of your daily schedule.  You choose the days you would like to work, the hours, and the length.  You control how much you want to earn and work.  And the best part is that you work from home!

Am I an employee of Speechpad?

All our transcribers are considered independent contractors or self-employed.  You will receive a 1099-form for all your work.  For more information on how to be self-employed, visit the Self-Employed section on the IRS website.

Are there any upfront fees to become a transcriber?

Absolutely not!  I know it is hard to believe that working from home can be as easy as turning on your computer and logging-in, but it is.  If you can do the work, you get paid.  Nothing more and nothing less.  The better the work you produce the better your earning potential.

What is MyID?

MyID is a unique value identifying you in our system.  Each worker has their own MyID.  The MyID Qualification on MTurk is how we can assign HITS to specific workers.  A HIT with a MyID Qualification requirement that does not match yours is assigned to another worker.

I am a Non-Resident of the United States, can I still work for Speechpad?

At this time, the mechanism for Speechpad to post jobs is through Amazon's MTurk.  Amazon has restrictions for US Resident and Non-US Residents to obtain an account.  You can learn more about these restrictions by visiting their Workers FAQ page.