If you’re looking to connect with other experienced transcribers like yourself, check out this list of online resources. Working from home does not mean you have to work isolated from your colleagues. And there are many benefits to networking with other freelance transcriptionists.
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Connecting with Work From Home Transcriptionists
Most of the transcriptionists I know work from home and always have. After more than 10 years as a transcriptionist, I’ve met all but one colleague online. And I know from experience that finding an online community that suits you can be a challenge sometimes. I’ve joined Facebook groups excited to meet people I shared something in common with only to discover that most of the other members were judgmental, disrespectful, or just downright mean. And one time, I joined a Reddit thread before realizing it was for music transcription! When it comes to connecting with other experienced transcriptionists, I’ve tried many online resources and am happy to share my favorites with you today.
If you’re one of those who think you don’t need to network with other transcriptionists, please think again. There are many benefits to being part of a group:
- Learn from more experienced transcriptionists
- Get or give advice on struggles that transcriptionists share
- Find transcriptionists when you need to hire
- Find new clients when you need to scale up
- Have fun and make friends
Facebook Groups for Transcribers
If you search for a group on Facebook, many options will come up and it is impossible to tell from the descriptions which ones will be worth your time. I’ve tried several and the groups listed below are my favorites.
Galaxy Transcription
As of December 2023, Galaxy Transcription is brand new and I absolutely love the group. Here, you’ll find a good mix of freelance transcriptionists and transcription business owners. The group primarily serves as a job board. However, the conversations include humor, business advice, and recommendations for equipment and software. You can even get help with difficult audio or grammar and punctuation. All of the members are respectful, kind, and fun to chat with.
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Transcribers & Transcription Project
The Transcribers & Transcription Project Facebook group is very active and the posts can be related to both transcription and translation. You’re allowed to post job offers and transcriptionists can post when they’re looking for work. So, it could be a good resource for hiring. I’ve never hired from this group, but I’ve heard from a few of my colleagues that they’ve had good experiences with the transcriptionists they hired from this group.
Forums for Transcribers
Yes, forums still exist. And even though they may seem like an antiquated platform, forums are still relevant. For transcription, only a few are still around, but the two below are great, in my opinion.
Transcription Essentials
I joined Transcription Essentials back in 2012. This forum has been around for so long now that it is loaded with a ton of helpful tips, resources, and information. In fact, if I have a question these days, I just search the forum and usually find a good answer right away. I don’t need to post my question because someone else has already asked it in the past. There are also some entertaining conversations that are just plain fun to read. If you’re looking to scale up or go from freelancer to business owner, definitely check out their board called Obtaining and Working with Private Clients.
WAHM Transcription & Writing Forum Board
The Work at Home Mom forum board for transcriptionists is not as active as Transcription Essentials, but it is still just as useful. In addition to connecting with other transcriptionists, you also have the opportunity to meet people working from home in other industries. This makes the WAHM forum a great place to find website designers, business consultants, accountants, and other service providers you might need to start your own company or scale up your transcription business.
Other Online Communities for Transcriptionists
The r/Transcription Reddit thread is the only transcription-related thread on Reddit that I would recommend. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been active for a few years now, but it was a great resource at one time. I still scroll through it every now and then to read conversations from the past. The thread has 2,500 members, so it might be worth getting some conversations going again.
I absolutely love LinkedIn and I have tried so many transcription groups on their website. I’ve found that most of them are filled with spam or people looking for work. I’m afraid I don’t have any recommendations for good LinkedIn groups for experienced transcriptionists. If you know of any, please list them in the comments below!
Full-Time Transcription: The Perfect Career for Work-Life Balance
Related Reading
Transcription Associations
Transcription associations are a great way to connect with colleagues both online and in person. Most of these organizations hold events that can be attended virtually or on-site, like annual conferences and continuing education. Some associations offer online member forums or have private groups on social media. Read about all of the other benefits of joining a transcription association in my article, Boost Your Career by Joining a Transcription Association.
I recommend you try these groups out and join the ones that feel like a good fit for you. You’ll be exposed to new opportunities and more resources, and you’ll develop relationships with some great people who know what it takes to be successful in the transcription industry. I also recommend you check out my free guide, “How to Start a Transcription Company in 30 Days.” My guide breaks down startup tasks into easy and manageable pieces. It’s also packed with tools, resources, and best practices for getting started. Download the free guide and follow my blog for more tips and resources.
