Rev is well-established legit online transcription, dictation, translation and subtitling company that offers jobs to freelance workers. This review is from a transcriptionist point of view, not from a customer point of view. If you want to work for them, read this review first, so you don't get any surprise.
I left Rev in 2020 and things have
changed since. I know, for example, that now they require an ID document (passport for ex.) to be able to work for them, something that wasn't necessary when I was working for them. What is written below was written short after I left. I enjoyed my time there, loved my peers and
the jobs, but payment was exploitative and I couldn't make a living out
of it.
BEFORE GETTING ACCESS
You have to take a test to demonstrate your English language grammar skills. If you pass it, you'll be allowed to do a short transcription job. Rev graders will review it and, about 2 weeks, they'll let you know the results. If you pass it, you're be allowed to register and start working. When you register you also sign a formal contract with Rev as freelancer.
GOOD THINGS
+ They tell you upfront how they work, how they mark, what and how they pay, and what they expect from you. If you don't fit the bill or perform according to what they want, your account will be terminated. Zap! in a micro-second.
+ They pay in a timely manner every Monday evening, via PayPal, for the week that ends on Saturday.
+ You can work when and wherever it suits you. You only need a computer, a good set of earphones and a comfortable chair.
+ You don't need extra software or anything to work for them. Not even the usual transcriptionist pedals, if you don't want to. You can download some Chrome extensions to make your work easier, like Ears or a media speed controller.
+ Newcomers need to pass a period of assessment, still being paid for the transcriptions they do. They're called Rookies. Their jobs are graded/marked so that they can learn from their mistakes. It's a great training. They have a maximum of 100 minutes of transcription to achieve the required metrics/statistics to work for Rev after that.
+ The variety of subject files you can work on: thesis interviews, celebrities interviews for fashion magazines or TV outlets, board meetings, focus group studies, police or investigator surveillance and interrogation sessions, court trials, TV programs, meetings, research interviews, webinars, customer service calls, and what's not. Files come both in just audio, or audio and video.
+ Some projects are really interesting and enjoyable to do. I've learned so much stuff by just listening to some of the speakers. One feels privileged at having access to classified material that, many times, involves celebrities, politicians and well-known people.
+ If you are an approved transcriptionist (called Revver) you will earn 25% more for doing the same job as a Rookie does, and will have access to thousands of jobs that Rookies cannot work on. If you pass that level after 120 days (with very high metrics and a high volume of minutes transcribed) you will become a Revver+ and be in the best position to be, earning way more for the same jobs, having early access to files and some other perks.
+ Customer service is really excellent. They are friendly, helpful and caring. They want to help you. They want you to do well. They encourage you.
+ Forums like Lend an Ear and the chat Ask the Experts are really helpful. The people there, other transcriptionists, respond to your queries live, while you are still working on a project and you have doubts that need to be sorted out ASAP. Very supportive.
+ If you take a job that you cannot finish, because it's a pain in the butt, you don't have the time, or something comes up for you, you can unclaim it, and another transcriptionist can take it. Unless the project is just a couple of minutes long, they give you 60 minutes to work on it and unclaim it. You won't be paid for the time you worked on it, but your metrics won't be affected. However, that's better that not finishing the job by the deadline, spending hours on a file, not being pad and your metrics being affected.
+ They pay in a timely manner every Monday evening, via PayPal, for the week that ends on Saturday.
+ You can work when and wherever it suits you. You only need a computer, a good set of earphones and a comfortable chair.
+ You don't need extra software or anything to work for them. Not even the usual transcriptionist pedals, if you don't want to. You can download some Chrome extensions to make your work easier, like Ears or a media speed controller.
+ Newcomers need to pass a period of assessment, still being paid for the transcriptions they do. They're called Rookies. Their jobs are graded/marked so that they can learn from their mistakes. It's a great training. They have a maximum of 100 minutes of transcription to achieve the required metrics/statistics to work for Rev after that.
+ The variety of subject files you can work on: thesis interviews, celebrities interviews for fashion magazines or TV outlets, board meetings, focus group studies, police or investigator surveillance and interrogation sessions, court trials, TV programs, meetings, research interviews, webinars, customer service calls, and what's not. Files come both in just audio, or audio and video.
+ Some projects are really interesting and enjoyable to do. I've learned so much stuff by just listening to some of the speakers. One feels privileged at having access to classified material that, many times, involves celebrities, politicians and well-known people.
+ If you are an approved transcriptionist (called Revver) you will earn 25% more for doing the same job as a Rookie does, and will have access to thousands of jobs that Rookies cannot work on. If you pass that level after 120 days (with very high metrics and a high volume of minutes transcribed) you will become a Revver+ and be in the best position to be, earning way more for the same jobs, having early access to files and some other perks.
+ Customer service is really excellent. They are friendly, helpful and caring. They want to help you. They want you to do well. They encourage you.
+ Forums like Lend an Ear and the chat Ask the Experts are really helpful. The people there, other transcriptionists, respond to your queries live, while you are still working on a project and you have doubts that need to be sorted out ASAP. Very supportive.
+ If you take a job that you cannot finish, because it's a pain in the butt, you don't have the time, or something comes up for you, you can unclaim it, and another transcriptionist can take it. Unless the project is just a couple of minutes long, they give you 60 minutes to work on it and unclaim it. You won't be paid for the time you worked on it, but your metrics won't be affected. However, that's better that not finishing the job by the deadline, spending hours on a file, not being pad and your metrics being affected.
+ Metrics are important for a Revver because those are the ones that will keep you working space open. If your metrics fall bellow what is expected from you, your account will be closed down without any warning.
+ Overall, the website is clean and easy to use.
+ Their online Line editor used to transcribe is very good. I have poor sight, so I love the customization of speaker labels and the dark grey background, as well as the slow-down audio tool. Line is way better than other online editors I've used in other online transcription companies.
+ Overall, the website is clean and easy to use.
+ Their online Line editor used to transcribe is very good. I have poor sight, so I love the customization of speaker labels and the dark grey background, as well as the slow-down audio tool. Line is way better than other online editors I've used in other online transcription companies.
