Literably Review: A Flexible Way to Earn Through Transcription and Reading Assessments

In today’s remote work environment, platforms like Literably offer interesting and flexible ways to earn money online, especially for those with a background in education or transcription. While not as widely known as mainstream freelancing sites, Literably has carved out a niche in the education technology space by helping teachers assess students’ reading abilities. In return, independent contractors (like you) get paid to transcribe and score these recordings.

This article takes a deeper look at how Literably works, who it's for, how you can get started, and what to expect based on real user experiences.

What is Literably?

Literably is a U.S.-based educational technology company that partners with schools to assess student reading levels. The platform allows children—mostly in elementary grades—to record themselves reading aloud, and these audio recordings are then evaluated by transcribers for fluency, accuracy, and comprehension.

Your role as a contractor is to listen to the recordings, transcribe what the student says, and score their reading according to provided guidelines. The goal is to give teachers detailed insight into each student’s reading development.

What Kind of Work Does Literably Offer?

Literably offers work in two main areas:

1. Transcription and Scoring: The core task involves listening to a student read a passage, transcribing their speech word-for-word, and scoring mistakes such as mispronunciations, omissions, or insertions.

2. Training Transcriptions: Before you begin live work, you must pass a set of training recordings that test your ability to follow instructions accurately and consistently.

There are also occasional roles related to Spanish transcription and translation, making the platform accessible to bilingual applicants.

How Much Does Literably Pay?

The pay varies depending on the length and complexity of the transcription. According to reviews and user reports, typical earnings range between $4 to $10 per hour, though experienced transcribers who are fast and accurate can potentially earn more.

Payments are made via PayPal on a weekly basis, provided you’ve completed work that meets the quality standards.

Who Can Apply?

Literably accepts transcribers from a number of countries, but primarily hires from:

• United States

• Canada

• United Kingdom

• Australia

• New Zealand

Occasionally, they open up to other locations, especially for Spanish-speaking applicants. However, proficiency in American English and strong transcription skills are essential regardless of your location.

Application Process and User Experience

To apply, you must:

1. Fill out an online application at www.literably.com

2. Complete several training recordings—these are actual samples you must transcribe and score.

3. Wait for the Literably team to review your submissions and determine whether you qualify.

In the experience shared via the video transcript, the applicant encountered technical issues during the application process. Despite registering twice, they faced problems with non-functional links during the test instructions phase. Attempts to transcribe the training recordings were unsuccessful due to unclear submission procedures, and broken links led to incomplete tasks.

The platform did respond via email, noting that no training recordings had been submitted yet. The applicant tried to communicate that the links weren't working, which added to the confusion and delay in progress. This highlights an important point: while the platform is legitimate, the onboarding process can be unclear or occasionally glitchy, especially for first-time users.

Pros and Cons of Working with Literably

Pros:

• Flexible, work-from-home opportunity

• Weekly PayPal payments

• Good side gig for those with transcription or teaching backgrounds

• Clear and simple tasks (once trained)

Cons:

• Inconsistent onboarding experience

• Limited availability based on region

• Pay can be low for beginners

• Occasional technical issues with links or training pages

Is Literably Worth It?

Literably is a legit and paid opportunity for individuals looking to earn from home, especially those comfortable with transcription and working independently. It's ideal for teachers, college students, or stay-at-home individuals looking to supplement their income on their own schedule.

However, based on user experiences, the platform’s application process can be frustrating, particularly when links don’t work or instructions are unclear. Patience and good communication with support may be necessary to complete onboarding successfully.

Final Thoughts

If you're detail-oriented, fluent in English, and have a good ear for speech, Literably may be a good option to explore. Just be prepared for a potentially bumpy application process and don’t hesitate to reach out to support if something doesn’t work as expected.

For those who manage to get through the training and approval process, Literably offers a unique and meaningful way to support literacy while earning money remotely.