A ghost writer’s tools are crucial to their success. Whether you’re a technical writer, a freelance writer, or even a shadow scholar, the right tools will make your job a lot easier.

Any ghost writer who’s been at it for a while will be settled into a workflow, using tools they’re comfortable with. You can always teach an old dog new tricks, however.

Let’s look at three pieces of technology that every ghost writer should be using, whether they’ve been at it for a day or a decade.

1. Never Miss a Deadline with a Good Project Management System

Most ghost writers have several projects on their plate at any given time. Once you start looking for writer jobs, you’ll realize how much opportunity there is for a good writer.

Ghost writers live and die by deadlines. Missing a deadline is one of the biggest sins you can commit. A project management system lets you track all the projects, their deadlines, any resources the client has sent – everything attached to a given project.

Your project management system can be completely software-based using tools like Todoist, Trello, or Evernote. Or you might prefer to go “old-school” and use a paper-based planner and file folders to store any background documents.

For example, take a look any of the of the top technology blogs and you will find that they have content coming in from all over the place. By using these project management tools, it will allow for the site owner, social media team and freelancer writers to all communicate with each other when it comes to scheduling and promoting new content that might go live on the site.

You can also use a combination of the two. The key is to use a system that works for you. If you’re comfortable using it and you track everything consistently, projects won’t fall through the cracks.

2. Stay Healthy with the Proper Equipment

While it’s not high tech, the office equipment you use makes a big difference in your results. A good desk and office chair that are set up for proper ergonomics make your job a lot more comfortable.

And over the long-term, it’s not only more comfortable but it can help you avoid repetitive stress injuries (RSI), neck and back pain, and various other health problems.

You can also use high-tech solutions to help with this, such as a fitness tracker or software that will remind you to get up and stretch on a regular basis. Once you get into the flow, it’s easy to let hours go by without realizing it. Sitting for that long isn’t good for your body.

3. Be A Ghost Writer With or Without a Computer

When most people think of technology for writers, they picture someone banging away on a keyboard, creating page after page of text. But writing can take many forms. It doesn’t have to be putting words to paper (or screen).

A voice recorder lets a ghost writer record their thoughts and dictate the written word anywhere, with or without a computer.

If an idea strikes while you’re sitting on the beach or watching your kid’s ball game, you can pull out your voice recorder and get the thoughts down while they’re fresh in your mind. No more getting back to your computer a few hours later and thinking, “What was it I wanted to say?”

You can use your smartphone for this. Every smartphone has the ability to record audio, so you can dictate into it and not have to carry anything extra. Some phones will transcribe the recording for you but if not, you can send the recording to a transcription service.

Once the transcription is ready, you’ll have a written document that’s no different than if you had typed it yourself.

Keep Your Technology Running Smoothly

If you ever get frustrated with the technology you use for ghost writing, you’re not alone. There are plenty of time saving and self-help writing tools on the internet today. Simply take the time to look around and see which work best for your budget and tech skills, while also improving your grammar in the process.

Computers and other high-tech equipment can be temperamental.

Did you know that there are nearly 2 billion websites on the World Wide Web? That’s an overwhelming figure, but most of those sites never get seen!

Here’s the truth. You can have the most fabulous ideas of all time as you’re writing blog posts. But if you don’t know how to craft excellent blog posts from blog ideas, nobody is going to read them even if they have great content! You’ll then face the roadblock of having poor to no readership at all.

Let’s get into how to write better blog content that will get your blog posts seen.

Focus On Your Audience

Who do you want to read your all your content? Who can you imagine taking an interest in your content topic as you write a new blog post? Middle-aged women? Stressed-out millennials with too much work on their plates?

What does your audience do for a living? What kinds of problems do they face on an everyday basis? Where do they typically turn for their news? How will they benefit from the content that you post?

Successful bloggers know their audience, and they know them well. Because they know their audience, they can curate tailored pieces of content that their readers want to read.

If you haven’t identified your ideal reader, it’s time to do some reflection work to figure out the niche topic you should focus on. The more you can “hone in” on who you want to write for, the easier it will be to produce dynamic blog postings.

Own Your Writing Style

Yes, semantics matter. Yes, you need to learn the nuances of headlines, keywords, and search engine optimization or SEO.

Readers are drawn by compelling headlines. It won’t matter how good you are at content writing when you fail to write headlines that sell. Headlines should be made of simple yet powerful language. As you include primary keywords in your content, winning headlines should also have keywords with high search volume. Lastly, if you’re still new to SEO, it would be smart to understand the basics such as crawl accessibility, compelling content or content that answers the searcher’s query, and keyword optimization to name a few. Creating SEO friendly posts in your blog will definitely help increase your traffic and prevent all your efforts from going down the drain.

That said, you also need to learn your style and find your voice. This takes time, and it takes practice.

Do you want to be a serious authority in your field? Or, do you want people to feel like they’re talking to an old friend over a cup of coffee?

It doesn’t matter what you choose, but you want to stay consistent with your style – that way your readers know what to expect.

Choose Enticing Titles

We’ve all heard the latest news. Most people skim articles, only reading the headlines. What does that mean for you? It means that you need to adapt to this trend and focus on creating eye-catching titles!

First, you should learn the popular headline formulas. Typical examples include starting with numbers (i.e., “5 reasons why”), starting with a ‘How To,’ or offering grand promises (i.e., “The Comprehensive Guide To…”).

You’ll also want to engage in keyword research. This research will help you determine what your audience is reading, and what keywords are ranking! It also enables you to choose which content you want to focus on.

Increase Your Traffic

Quality content will always be essential in increasing your reputation. However, you do need a strategy for driving traffic.

This includes learning:

• Blog article formatting
• Using appropriate meta tags
• Formatting headers
• Backlinking and guest posting (check out this guide from SEOJet)
• Having a social media presence
• Optimizing for speed
• Implementing a mobile-first strategy

Even though this may not directly correlate with your “writing,” it’s necessary if you want to become a successful blogger. Fortunately, there are numerous guides and resources available online for you to learn these strategies.

Final Thoughts on How To Write Better

Learning how to write better takes time, patience, and discipline. The more you practice, the better you’ll become!

Ready to start your blog? Of course, you are! Check out the ultimate guide for getting started today.

If you are a writer or if you have always wanted to make money writing, there is a way to do this. In fact, many publishers, business owners, and websites pay writers well for their quality content. Why? Because high-quality content drives traffic. Sites need targeted traffic to increase their level of engagement and conversions.

Who Pays for Articles?

In addition to website owners, online blogs and publishers need articles that will interest their readers so that they will continue coming back for more. Getting regular readers is the goal of online publishers because they make money from ads that are focused on the content on their sites.

To find freelancing opportunities, you need to know where to look. Many websites and publishers pay writers for their work. But, for the online blogger or writer who wants to make a living writing, it is essential that they focus on the highest-paying jobs. Otherwise, they have to work too hard to make money. Making the most of their time is the critical element to financial success as an online writer.

Top 10 Paid Writing Sites

We’ve scoured the web to find 10 of the best freelance writing sites that you can start with if you wish to make a living writing online. While this is not an exhaustive list, it is a good place to start if you want to make serious money writing.

1. Crowd Content

Crowd Content is a site that has been around for a while now. Based in British Columbia, Canada, they offer writing for anyone who is a citizen of the U.S. or Canada. When they first started out, they had a large number of high-paying freelance jobs on their site. Now they seem to have migrated to a more project-based site that offers regular gigs with companies. They do still provide regular articles from their “marketplace” though. To get jobs on Crowd Content, you have to pass a writer’s test including a grammar and essay assessment. Once you meet the criteria for entry, they start you out on a level they assign, based on your initial assessment. You can then get jobs on that level with an opportunity to move up in the rankings to higher paying projects.

PROS: Crowd Content is considered a “content site,” but they do focus on producing high-quality content, so customers are willing to pay more at the higher levels.

CONS: There is limited work on the site many times, and you must grab the articles immediately, or they are gone.

2. Writer Access

Writer Access is another content site that offers writing work for expert writers who specialize in specific topics. There is limited work on the lower levels, but sometimes writers can get higher paying projects when they work up the ranks or specialize in key topic areas. They also have “expertise” areas and “elite” status options for writers. Creating a profile of yourself and your biography can contribute to getting better jobs. You can also get regular clients on this site if you pitch to specific clients and impress them with your work.

PROS: Excellent opportunity to develop your writing skills in a specialty area.

CONS: Work is hard to come by, and the site submits new jobs at odd hours like around 4 a.m. CST.

3. Constant Content

Constant Content is known as the most elite content writing site on the web. Clients and publishers flock to this site to get “the web’s best writers.” This company has done an excellent job of marketing their site as having only the very best writers who are highly specialized in their field. Therefore, you can make a much higher rate per article than on any other site. Additionally, this site allows you to create your content and upload them to their market that is open to anyone shopping for articles. It takes awhile to sell an article if you write one and submit to the general pool. But you can also send specific articles to individual clients who have requested pieces to increase your chance of an immediate sale.

PROS: High-income potential. Some writers have reported that they make between $70,000 and $100,000 per year on this site.

CONS: Work is not consistent unless you find regular clients who need work on a weekly basis. Grammar and writing test is complicated, and only a small percentage pass the test to get in.

4. Freelancewritinggigs.com

This is not a site that offers specific writing projects like the other three we have reviewed so far. It is not a content site. This site is a “portal site” for freelance writers that attempt to connect freelance writers looking for work to many potential writing opportunities. The freelance writing job board is the best place to go to on this site to find potential writing gigs. The pay varies, depending on the number of words and quality expected, as well as other factors.

PROS: Lots of connections to be made on this site.

CONS: You have to pitch every job which takes time.

5. Guru.com

Guru.com is not a content site. It is a freelance site. Freelance sites are significantly different than content sites because they do not have lists of articles that are available. Instead, they are a project-based site where you can apply or “pitch” to any number of independent freelance projects including freelance writing.

You have to “bid” on these projects to get the job and companies, or individuals look at the profiles and portfolios of various writers to decide who they want to work with.

PROS: There is a variety of jobs available for all types of companies and individuals.

CONS: You have to bid a price that the client will think is fair, which is often hard to predict.

6. Problogger.com

ProBlogger.com is run by none other than professional blogger and affiliate marketer, Darren Rowse. This site features some high-paying writing gigs, and it is set up with a job board format. Writers can look for jobs that fit their area of specialty and then look at the price customers are willing to pay to see if it’s a good fit. Clients wait for emails regarding the job listing and hire the writers they like best. You need to have a good email pitch letter written that you can use on this site. The ones with the best pitches usually win the gigs.

PROS: Lots of high-paying jobs and many other resources for writers and bloggers.

CONS: Highly competitive. Sometimes hard to get the jobs due to the high level of competition.

7. Blogging Pro Jobs

Blogging Pro is another writing site (not to be confused with Pro Blogger). This site is set up more like a general job board, but it focuses on writing jobs. You can find the type of writing job you want to do and click on the links to learn more. The name of the company is displayed under the title of the writing job so you can research who you’ll be writing for.

PROS: Lots of jobs with a high variety of options and companies.

CONS: You must sign up for a job search membership with WorkForce Now to apply for jobs.

8. iWriter.com

iWriter.com has recently improved its software and platform, after many customers and writers alike complaining about the lack of user-friendliness in the past. The improvements make the site look better, and the interface is easy to navigate. However, there is a problem with this site. It seems that many of the customers think that the writers on this site produce poor quality content. So they are fast to reject or cancel orders that a writer may work several hours for. This discourages more talented writers from joining. But if a writer contacts the customer before writing for them, this seems to improve the results somewhat.

This site is a content site which means there are several jobs listed at any moment, but it’s based on a level system that you can easily get knocked down from after only one bad review or rejection or two. This site is excellent for picking up a few extra articles but don’t depend on it for regular income.

PROS: Lots of articles available to high-level writers.

CONS: Clients are too quick to reject articles, which lowers your rating.

9. FlexJobs.com

Flexjobs.com is not only a great freelance writing job board; it is a job board for any job. There are plenty of full-time, as well as part-time jobs available on this site. The site partners with several job resources that offer a wide variety of freelance writing job, design jobs, and more.

It’s free to start, but after a month, you’ll need to pay the $14.95 fee to remain a member of this site. You’ll find lots of jobs all over the country, and you’ll be able to see their approximate pay range and many other details about the companies.

For the serious writer who wants to write for a particular company rather than freelance, there are plenty of opportunities on this site, as well. You do need to have an active writer’s portfolio handy and a fresh resume and cover letter. This site’s job postings feature bigger writing jobs that may last longer than the average freelance jobs so it is most suitable for someone looking for a consistent long-term job.

PROS: Lots of jobs to choose from, many which pay a regular high rate of pay.

CONS: Highly competitive; similar to a job interview in the real world.

10. BlogMutt.com

BlogMutt.com is a content “mill” that offers hundreds of articles from specific companies. The problem is that, while the company charges up to $29.95 per post for a 300-word piece, they only give the writer $8 per post. The site is non-competitive which might be attractive to the beginning writer but not to the seasoned professional writer. There is plenty of work available, however, so if you’re willing to put up with editors that overdo it, this might be a place to try your wings.

PROS: Endless articles that you can write at your own pace.

CONS: Meager pay with only limited opportunities for pay increases.

How to Choose the Best Job Sites

The key to making a living (or even a part-time income) with writing is to locate those clients, businesses, and publishers that pay the most for your time, your expertise, and your work. This means connecting with only those opportunities that recognize and appreciate your talents. Don’t waste time with the low ballers because you’ll find it takes a whole day to make a buck. Instead, focus in on those writing jobs that are in your niche or specialty area, then pitch your resume and writing portfolio to them to get things started.

Overall, sites like Constant-Content.com are the best because they pay the highest dollar for quality articles. As a side note, Textbroker.com is also a reputable site with hundreds of materials available at any time. The pay on Textbroker.com is about in the middle when compared with other writing sites, but they pay weekly, on time, and consistently.

As in any profession, you have to pay your dues if you want to create a career for yourself with freelance writing. Start with some of the low ballers, prove yourself, then move up to the higher-paying clients and publishers.

A Word About Self-Publishing

Consider self-publishing, too as this allows you to write on any topic you choose and demand your price. Sites that allow you to create a writer’s profile such as Constant-Content and others will help you to get more business.

Alternately, you may also want to check out sites such as Digitalpoint.com, another writer’s market that allows you to write and upload articles. One perk about digitalpoint.com is that there is no editing. So the items that you write go straight from your hands to the market automatically.

Whichever way you go, it’s a good idea to try a little bit of everything at first so that you will have enough work for that “rainy day” when your main client doesn’t have enough jobs to keep you busy. Figure out what works best for you and don’t forget to also publish under your name with Kindle eBooks and your blog. This will help you create a name for yourself since this is something you cannot do as a ghostwriter for other sites.

In the end, you get what you put into it. So start writing some sample articles on sites like LinkedIn.com which now allows you to post blog articles. This is an excellent way to present your writing talent to potential customers and clients. You may even find some customers on LinkedIn, as well.

Try these sites and see how you do and make writing a way of life. It will pay off if you stick with it! We’ve come to the end of this article, and we hope you have learned something to help you on your journey. Let us know how you do but give yourself time to build up your writing business.

Now quit reading and start writing!

Freelance writing can be a very challenging way to make a living. According to a survey from Freelance Writing Jobs, nearly two-thirds of freelance writers have difficulty maintaining a stable income and finding clients. In addition to taking online courses and furthering your education, having a website or blog is one of the best ways to improve your writing skills.

If you are struggling to build a successful freelancing career, you should take a look at these Udemy courses. They can help you take your career to the next level and find better-paying work.

1.      Copywriting – Become a Freelance Copywriter, your own boss

Are you getting burnt out writing blog posts on Fiverr for $5 a pop? You can boost your hourly earnings ten-fold by becoming a freelance copywriter. If you aren’t familiar with copywriting, you should check out this great course by Len Smith, a freelance copywriter with over 20 years of experience.

Smith covers everything you need to know to be a successful copywriter, including:

• Setting a realistic date to launch your copywriting business
• Choosing projects you are comfortable with
• Pricing your work

Smith states that serious students should be able to launch their full-time copywriting business within three months.

2.      Freelancing for Writers: Use Your Words to Start A Business

This course addresses many of the concerns new freelance writers have, such as:

• Whether they can start a freelance writing career without any professional writing experience
• The types of projects they can work on
• Their earning potential
• Tips on using different freelance writing platforms
• Tips on finding clients on your own

The thing that I like the most about this course is the tips on using platforms like Textbroker, Constant Content and iWriter. Most other courses focus on finding clients on your own, but these platforms are a great starting point for professional writers, so I am glad they were covered in this course.

3.      The Complete Freelance Writing Course

This course covers a lot of material that other courses either gloss or overlook completely. It is a great primer for beginning and experienced freelance writers alike.

The course covers a lot of the fundamentals of writing great content for the Internet. However, it also delves into some great tips on finding clients in places other freelancers overlook. If you follow the tips laid out in this course, you will have a leg up on the competition.

4.      The Complete Freelance Writing Online Course: Beginner to Pro

This is a great course from Kirsty Stuart, a freelance writer and writing coach. Stuart created this course for people that are new to the world of freelancing. If you have no idea where to begin your journey  as a freelance writer, Stuart covers everything that you need to know, including:

• Choosing your niche
• Finding clients
• Understanding the nature of web writing
• Using the right tools for productivity

This is a best-selling course that has helped many Udemy users launch successful freelancing businesses.

5.      Freelance Writing For Beginners

Laura Brown created this course for new freelance writers that need some guidance on structuring their business model. It covers a number of important steps that you need to take to get your career off the ground, including:

• Choosing a niche that suits your interest
• Knowing how to find clients
• Maintaining a working relationship with clients
• Staying productive

There is a lot of great material in this course that is well worth the $95 fee.

6.      Freelance Blogging Blueprint: Attract Clients & Charge More

Making a living as a freelancer requires more than great writing skills. You also need the right mindset and a great business model. Too many great freelancers fail, because they don’t know how to manage their work-life, find good paying clients and optimize their earning potential.

Siddharth Bharath, a world-renowned online entrepreneur, created this course. It is highly recommended for any freelancer that is struggling to generate a consistent income or feels underpaid.

Don’t want to pay for Udemy courses?

In addition to each of the courses listed above, we’ve also done several review posts on other courses as well. Be sure to check out our list of free Udemy courses and how you can access them at no cost by using our unique coupon codes.

If you are a writer (and we all are to some degree), you need to be aware of the standard grammar errors that we make all of the time that get past our radar. The key to improving grammar and spelling usage is in becoming more aware of what we are writing.

This is especially true when writing any type of online marketing ad copy or even creating when a blog of your own. Just because you don’t have a team of writers or someone to proof read your content, it doesn’t mean that you need to simply go live with your first draft and let any grammar or spelling errors slip by. As bloggers and content creators, it’s important to always look our best and one of the best ways to accomplish this is through proper writing, spelling and pronunciation.

Not only will writing in proper English and using the right forms of grammar look better, it will also provide a better reading experience for your audience in the process.

The following common errors can be corrected by using common grammar practices, brushing up on skills, and using a dose of common sense. With practice, you can improve your grammar usage.

Anytime vs. Any time

This is one of the most confusing choices that writers make, even accomplished professional writers. When writing a sentence where you want to use this terminology, you should consider whether you mean to use it as an adverb or not. The term “anytime” used in isolation is an adverb, which “any time” should be used with the word “at” before it such as “at any time,” because it is identifying a specific time that you plan to do something. (Grammarly.com)

Affect vs. Effect

If you use the word “affect,” you should be using it as a verb. That’s what it is. For example, you can say, “This medicine could have an affect on your blood pressure.” But if you say, “This is the effect is can have,” you are using the noun form.

Bare vs. Bear

“Bare” and “bear” are homophones because they sound like the same word. Only when you write them down, do you see the difference in the spelling. The word, “bare” refers to someone or something that is void of clothing or a table that has nothing on it, for example. “Bear” is an animal or it can be used as a verb meaning to tolerate or put up with something. Be careful when using these words like this can stand out like a sore thumb. When using the term, “Bear with me,” you should spell it as shown in this sentence.

Comma Before But

When using conjunctions after a dependent clause, you should always remember to use a comma. This is considered good grammatical form in both academic and other texts. For example, look at the following sentence.

You may want to go to the game, but you have homework to do before you can go.

This is a standard error to forget the comma before the conjunction, but it is important to get this right.

Comma Before Because

You should also use a comma before “because” but only in instances when you are adding additional information. For example, “I liked camp because it was fun” requires no comma. But “I didn’t vote, because I was out of town,” works because it is serving to clarify the reason you did not vote. It verifies that the reason was not due to any other reason. Therefore, commas can serve to help make meaning clearer when the sentence is ambivalent without it.

Comma Before Which

Grammarly reports that a lot of people put a common before the word, “which” too often. They remind writers not to place a common before which in the following situations:

• When it introduces a nonrestrictive phrase
• When it is part of a prepositional phrase
• When it is introducing an indirect question

When to Use a Comma Before But

Put a comma before but only when it is connecting two independent clauses. Below is an example of this.

I would go to the movie, but I don’t like the director.

Notice that the clauses are independent because they can stand alone. When you combine them in a sentence in which they are used together where you’re explaining a cause and effect relationship, it requires a comma.

Comma Before And

Overuse of the comma is one of the common mistakes used in writing. This includes business writing, blog writing, and any other type of written communication. The only time you should use a common before a coordinating conjunction is when you are linking two independent clauses. An example is given below.

“I went driving, and I saw a wreck.”

Placing a comma after the first independent clause separates the first independent clause from the other one and shows that they are two individual thoughts that are bound by the conjunction. In other words, they are not dependent on each other and do not represent a cause and effect relationship.

Comma Before Such As

If you are wondering whether to use a comma before “such as,” consider whether or not you are dealing with a restrictive clause. Grammarly reports that a restrictive clause is a clause that is not necessary to the meaning of a sentence, but it enhances the meaning or adds detail.

Here is an example:

In this city, you’ll see many types of restaurants, such as fast food and seafood.

If we take the last clause out, it still makes sense, but the “such as” phrase helps add meaning through detail. In such cases, you should use a comma since you are using it to explain further.

Thru vs. Through

Many people use “thru” for “through.” But this is not correct. The word “thru” is a non-standard spelling of the word, “through” and should be avoided. If you are typing a text to a friend, it may be okay since they’ll know what you mean, but it should always be avoided in business or formal writing.

Does the comma go before or after but?

Commas cause writers many problems, whether they are writing formal content or casual communications. Struggles with commas cross over into a wide array of writing situations. But conjunctions seem to add to the confusion. Sometimes focusing on the rules and trying to be perfect is not the answer. Using common sense is a more accurate way to use best grammatical practices in most cases.

For example, when do you think you would ever use a comma after the word, “but?” According to Capital Community College, it is hard to imagine a time when you would place the comma after “but.” Look at the examples below.

1. I wanted to go to the game, but I had too much work to do.

2. I wanted to go to the game but, I had too much work to do.

The second one is just wrong and is probably due to the idea that many people have that you use a comma to take a breath. This is not accurate in most cases. Commas are used to clarify the meaning of a sentence or paragraph. In the first example, it helps to explain the independent clauses by showing that having too much work was the reason I didn’t go to the game. In the second example, it makes no sense. It also does not add to the meaning of the sentence.

Again, using some common sense when writing will help you to make the best choices most of the time.

Threw vs. Through

The word, “threw” is the past tense of “throw,” not “through.” The word, “through” is a preposition that is used to indicate a direction such as:

I went through the intersection without getting a ticket.

I threw the ball through the window.

These are two entirely different words and parts of speech so extra care should be used to make sure you don’t get accused of going “through” the rules or have someone say you “threw” away good grammar!

Improper Use of “Like”

Another common error is the misuse of “like.” Millenials seem especially prone to use this word incorrectly, using the word “like” to attempt to describe something. It is a crutch word when used in this way and has no meaning in the sentence. “Like” should only be used in situations where you are comparing one thing to another and not as a stop-gap word to gather your thoughts.

Run On Sentences

When writing content for a website or blog, run on sentences seem to be common place as many people might not be familiar with how to use proper punctuation and grammar. A run-on sentence occurs when there is a connection of two main clauses within the same sentence, without any punctuation to break them apart.

Here are two examples of the correct and incorrect way to write the same sentence.

Incorrect: Tommy wanted to write a blog post but he had to run to the store for eggs.
Correct: Tommy wanted to write a blog post, but he had to run to the store for eggs.

Spelling Errors

Many of the grammar problems we see in writing content are due to misspellings or typographical errors. Abbreviations are also a common problem and are used too much, possibly due to the vast use of technology and shorthand style of writing that is so common in texting on mobile phones.

There are many tools to help you clean up your grammar and spelling errors. You can also use tools such as Grammarly that help find and correct your mistakes. Writing is communication, and you need to utilize the tools and skills you have to make your written communication as good as it can be.

Have you looked into a transcription service for your audio or video files? You may not know if there’s a need for this type of service. But if you are doing any video creation, video marketing, or other media, you may need a transcription service. If you are already outsourcing content for your website or blog, you will appreciate the cost effectiveness and speedy service offered by many of the transcription sites we are going to showcase below.

Some of the reasons you might need a transcription service are listed below:

• To create text transcripts of videos or podcasts– If you have important videos or podcasts that you need a paper or text copy of, a transcription service is just what you need. You can save a copy on paper in case anyone needed a hard copy of an online video or podcast. It can be used as proof of video or audio information so that you can produce it if you need it. Such documents are often used in court as another form of evidence if you have media files that need to be examined by the court.
• To document video or audio work– If you have important videos or audio productions that you want to keep in script form, this is a good way to capture it. You can always reproduce the script later if the video or audio files are ever lost.
• To create captions for the “closed caption” requirement for some platforms– If you produce videos for online platforms such as Amazon, you will be required to create a closed caption file for the videos to accommodate the hearing impaired. You may want to create a closed caption file anyway to allow hearing impaired individuals to view your content. YouTube has a “CC” button that allows you to show your closed captions if you have created them ahead of time. Transcription services can place these captions on your videos in just the right places so that people can read them as the video is played. Viewers have the ability to turn the closed caption feature “on” or “off.”

11 of the Best Audio to Text Transcription Services

Below, we have put together a list of some of the best audio and video transcription services for you to check out. Look through each one and click the links to see which one is best for your needs.

GoTranscript

When it comes to audio or video transcription, GoTranscript is one of the leading solutions out there. With more than 144 million minutes transcribed and a 98.5% customer satisfaction rate, there is no doubt about why or how they’ve become an industry leader in such a competitive space. With more than 20,000 professionals working for the site, not only are transcriptions done correctly, they are also done with extreme focus and in a timely manner.

Want to know how to get started? It’s easy. The first step is to upload your files through the easy web upload on their site, or providing them with the URL of your file location. The next step is to place your payment through their secure site. After this is completed, you will then receive an email from GoTranscript once your order is completed!

Rates start out at .72 per minute, and come with a 99%+ accuracy on the transcription process. Even more exciting, is that most work is completed within 6-12 hours. To get an exact quote or time-estimate, be sure to use the transcription calculator on their site.

Transcription Panda

Transcription Panda is an audio and video transcription service that allows you to submit your audio or video files for transcription to text. They focus on producing your transcription files quickly and easily so that you can focus on your work. They accept all major video and audio files such as .wav, .mp3, .mp4, and many others.

The price is based on the number of minutes of audio that you need to be transcribed. Their prices start at .95 per minute if you choose the “relaxed” option, which means you’ll get your file in 7-10 days. For faster delivery of your finished files, you’ll need to choose the standard option (3-5 business days). That amounts to $1.20 per minute. For 24 hour delivery, it’s $2.40 per minute.

You can choose the price range that works for you, based on your need to get the files back promptly.

iScribed

iScribed is another audio and video transcription service that allows you to convert audio data into text data quickly and easily. iScribed will produce closed caption files as well as subtitles for your videos. If you did not subtitle your videos or do not have access to professional video editing titles, you can use their service to get this done, too.

Their price is .89 per minute for creating closed captioned titles and $7 per minute for subtitles. You have the option for creating subtitles in multiple languages, as well.

Verbal Link

Verbal Link is a transcription service with a variety of options for transcription services. They can perform the following services for you:

• Transcription services
• Translation services
• Writing services
• Localization services
• Subtitling services

More video content providers are opting to create transcriptions for multiple languages, as well. Using Verbal Link’s translation services will allow you to do this. They also offer writing, localization, and subtitling services that allow you to create a text-based transcription for your videos that will appeal to your target audience.

Speechpad

Speechpad is one of the most popular audio-to-text services available today. Whether you have video or audio files that you need to convert to text files, they can do it. They offer fast transcription service at $1 per minute. Standard captions are $1.50 per minute, and premium captions (for TV and other professional media) is $4 per minute.

The company offers 99% accuracy on all work they do.

GMR Transcription

GMR Transcription is one of the most well-known and respected names in the world of transcription. Using all human, U.S. based transcriptionists and offering a 99% accuracy guarantee, GMR is definitely the transcription service for you to consider due to their commitment to quality and security. You will likely not find better service or quality anywhere else.

With more than 4 million minutes of transcription produced for thousands of happy customers, you can feel safe and secure knowing the company isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Should you have any questions or comments, live customer service is also offered through their site where you can chat directly with someone in their office. GMR Transcription is continuously commended for their excellent customer service.

When it comes to services and rates, it’s best to take a look at their SERVICES and RATES pages, as transcription services can be customized for any sized project. There are several different options for turnaround times and extra services like verbatim transcription, timestamps, and grammar correction. They specialize mainly in projects within academic, legal, and business industries – and they also work closely with podcasters. Discounts are available!

Tigerfish Transcribing

Tigerfish Transcribing offers 2-hour transcriptions guaranteed, regardless of the length of your video or audio files. Their site is very simple and easy to use and uncomplicated with their minimalist design. You can read several customer testimonials as you scroll down their page and you can see a list of famous brands who have chosen to use their services.

Click on their services page under “what we do, ” and you’ll see their rates and estimated times it takes to produce your file. They claim to ‘be the best’, and that idea is supported by their many client testimonials and overall impression of their brand. They may be among the fastest of all of the transcription services so if you’re looking to get your transcriptions done fast, this may be a good option for you.

They will transcribe any files you have such as conference meetings, informal meetings, client meetings, and creative team meetings. They’ll transcribe anything you need as fast as possible with great quality! Call them for a quote on their site.

TranscribeFiles

TranscribeFiles makes the process of transcribing files, documents, audio, and video files easy.

Once you visit the site, you will have the ability to easily click to upload your files and get them transcribed within just hours. The pricing structure for such a service starts at .80 per audio minute. These rates may vary based on the file type of transcription service needed. Services offered through the site offer transcriptions from interviews, academic, sermons, professional podcasts, legal documents, and more.

TranscribeFiles also offers transcription services in different languages and a first-time order discount of 10%. With more than 15,000 customers on their site and more than 130,000+ hours of transcribed content, they are definitely a transcription service to consider adding to your list.

 

Transcripty

Transcripty is an American-based transcription service that delivers your transcripts in as little as 24 hours. They claim to be the “#1 transcription service” in the U.S., and they have done transcription work for well-known brands including Google, Microsoft, and Spotify, to name a few.

Their cost for transcription is $1 per minute for a 48-hour turnaround on the delivery of your finished files. If you want them faster, you can upgrade to a 24-hour turnaround for same-day delivery.

All of their transcribers are U.S.-based, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers. Everything is done online including uploading, transcribing, and downloading so you can do it all on one platform.

Rev

Rev.com is a fast, professional transcription service that provides close captioning of your video files or text transcription of your audio or video material. They are fast (usually a 24-hour turnaround) and they charge $1 per minute for audio and video files.

Basic transcription and captioning and subtitling of videos are $1 per minute, while translation is 10 cents per word. Many big brands use Rev’s transcription service including US Bank, Princeton University, PBS, Google, and Lynda.com.

They accept many popular file types, and they have excellent customer service.

Scribie

Scribie is one of the cheapest priced online subscription services we found. They will do audio and video subscription services for .75 per minute. However, there is a 5-day turnaround for this rate. For $1.50, you will get your files back within 36 hours, and for $3 per minute, they’ll have your files back to you within 12 hours.

This will be a good service to use if you need something transcribed very fast and are willing to pay more to get it in a day or less.

CastingWords

CastingWords has several levels of pricing for your transcription work (from $1 per minute for the budget package to $1.50 for 1 week). You can get your files faster by paying $2.50 per minute (within one day) and international transcription is available for $1.75 per minute.

They have multiple platforms they can deliver the finished transcripts to, including Dropbox, email, and others. They also claim to be able to “catch the difficult or tricky words” better than their competitors and research them so that they will be accurate in the transcription process.

Transcription Puppy

Transcription Puppy is a fast and inexpensive audio and video transcription service that offer transcriptions at .89 per minute. This makes them very competitive with the other services, and they offer one of the most competitive prices on all of their services. You can get this rate with a few other services but not with the same fast turnaround time that is offered with Transcription Puppy.

They charge a flat rate of .89 per minute no matter what you need to be transcribed. They also guarantee that any files under 1 hour will be delivered within one day.

If you need fast and furious transcription at a low rate, you may want to check out this service. They offer a simple and easy-to-use order process that is as simple as pie.

Transcribe Me

Transcribe Me handles high-volume transcription jobs and they can handle any large projects within record time. Their basic rate is .79 per minute, but this is only for a “first draft” quality transcript. You would need to clean it up and edit it if you order this. The better package to order if you use this service is the “standard” package which is delivered with 95-99% accuracy and is completed within 2-3 days.

Their same-day delivery packages are slightly more expensive, and you can get a file delivered with close to 100% accuracy for $5.50 per minute.

Choosing a Transcription Service

As you can see, the more urgent your transcript request is, the more expensive it will be to get it produced. If you plan ahead, you should be able to order your transcripts in advance and pay the lower price for most services.

You will just need to check out the various services and see which one best meets your needs. For urgent transcription jobs, many of these services will help you out in a tight spot.

Video content producers, podcasters, and professional video marketers should all have a transcription service bookmarked to use when the need arises, as this is becoming more important in the video production world due to the diversity of an audience today.

This is just one of the many tools that business owners, video content producers, and podcasters need so that they can produce text-based documentation of their multimedia files. So bookmark these sites and you’ll have plenty of options when the time comes.

If you currently have a website or blog of your own, outsourcing your transcription work is definitely a good idea. The last thing you want is to have to listen to an audio file and type it out as you go.

For anyone still sitting on the sidelines and doesn’t have a blog of their own, click here to get a free domain name and 60% off web hosting. We will walk you through the complete process and show you how to get your site live in less than 10 minutes.