Earning extra money on the side doesn’t have to take the form of a part-time job anymore. Instead, you can find freelance work online for extra cash with no commitment, and you don’t even have to leave the house.
In this article, I’m going to take a look at how to make money online with the transcription and captioning service Rev.com.
I used Rev intermittently from 2013-2018 and managed to rack up almost $3,000 in extra cash. Of course, how much you earn will depend on how much you work.
This article was updated in December 2023 and I review it every year. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.
Table of Contents
- What Is Rev?
- How Does Rev Work?
- How Much Does Rev Pay?
What Is Rev?
Rev is an online transcription and caption service that connects customers with at-home freelancers.
The best way to earn extra money with Rev is by applying to be a freelancer. According to the Rev website, “Aside from the extra income paid out weekly via PayPal, the best part of freelancing jobs with Rev is the flexibility. You can work as much or as little as you’d like, from wherever you please. A wide range of people, from stay-at-home moms to college students and retirees, work from home with Rev.”
Rev jobs entail listening to audio or video files and accurately typing what you hear. That does mean that you’ll need to have a strong understanding of the English language as well as grammar.
If you meet those requirements, then you’ll need a computer (with audio) and a reliable internet connection to get started. The software, style guides and an online community of support are all available in your browser.
How Does Rev Work?
Customers who need a video or audio file transcribed or captioned submit their files to Rev. Those files then become available for “Revvers” to claim, listen to, caption or transcribe and submit before receiving payment.
“Revvers” are freelancers who have taken a quiz, submitted a sample project and been approved to listen to and/or watch customer files and accurately type what’s being said.
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In order to earn money as a freelancer at Rev, you’ll need to apply to work either as a transcriptionist or a captioner. Even if there’s a waitlist, you can still apply. According to the website, here’s what you can expect from each role:
- Listen to audio and video
- Accurately type what is being said
- Label speakers
- Earn $0.30-$1.10 per audio/video minute
- Watch video
- Accurately type what is being said and creatively convey sounds
- Sync typed audio with video
- Earn $0.54-$1.10 per audio/video minute
If you can speak a foreign language fluently, you can also sign up to translate subtitles for $1.70-$4 per audio/video minute.
To get started, you’ll need to apply online. Expect to spend at least an hour on the application. Once you’ve signed up to be a freelancer, here’s what’s next:
- You’ll be asked to take a quiz that demonstrates your English language and grammar skills.
- You’ll submit a transcription or caption sample, which will be reviewed to ensure it meets customer quality expectations.
- If you’re approved, you’ll be able to register and start earning right away. When I applied to be a captioner, I was approved the next day.
Once you’ve registered and logged in, you’ll be able to see claimable projects available in the workspace. After you claim a project, you’ll have an hour to decide if you want to “unclaim” it with no penalty. If you complete the project and click “Submit,” you’ll be able to see the payment for that project immediately in your earnings tab.
After that, a member of Rev’s quality control team will review and grade your work. You’ll receive a PayPal deposit the following Monday regardless of that grade.
How Much Does Rev Pay?
According to Rev, transcriptionists and captioners earn $240-$245 per month on average with the top monthly earnings ranging from $1495 to $1570. As a translator, the average monthly earnings are reported to be $958. In my experience, earning an average of $400 a month as a transcriptionist/captioner is completely possible by working around 15 hours a week.I’ve never worked as a translator for Rev, so I can’t speak to those average earnings.
Depending on the job you apply for and the projects you claim, you can expect to make anywhere from $0.30 to $1.10 per audio/video minute as a transcriptionist or captioner at Rev. However, the time it takes to complete an audio/video minute will vary depending on the difficulty of the project and your typing speed.
When I claim a project, I expect to spend approximately 3-5 minutes transcribing or captioning each audio/video minute. That means if I claim a five-minute project, I expect to be working on it for up to 20 minutes. In my experience, if I’m willing to work for two hours on Rev projects, I can expect to earn around $16.
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The amount that you’re able to earn per hour will start to increase as you complete more projects. For example, here are the levels you can reach to increase your earnings as a captioner:
Once you’ve completed 65 minutes of work, earned an average score of 4.5 on accuracy and formatting on your last 30 graded jobs and maintained an 80% on-time submission rate/8.0 commitment ratio, you’ll move from Rookie to Revver and gain access to more jobs.
If you’re able to maintain an average of captioning 800 minutes in a span of 120 days with a 90% on-time submission rate and 4.8 scores on accuracy and formatting, you’ll gain access to Revver+, which means you’ll be able to claim projects before they’re available to Revvers. Then, you can apply to Rev’s quality control team and get paid for grading other freelancers’ completed projects.
Your earnings accumulate throughout the week (Sunday through Saturday). You can expect a deposit into your PayPal account the following Monday.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it’s definitely possible to earn additional income by working as a freelance transcriptionist or captioner at Rev, especially if you’re a fast and accurate typist. If you speak a foreign language, your earnings can greatly increase as a translator.
Compared to a traditional part-time job, you may not learn quite as much per hour at first. But even as a freelancer, you’ll have the potential to grow and earn more per hour as you complete more projects.
If you’re still on the fence about Rev, consider these pros and cons:
Pros:
- Work from home.
- Choose your hours.
- Get paid per completed project (regardless of the grade it receives).
- Get weekly PayPal deposits.
Cons:
- Time spent typing will take more than the audio/video minute you’re being paid for.
- Some audio files are difficult to hear.
- The amount of available projects varies throughout the day/week.
- Other freelancers will also be trying to claim available projects.
If you have a computer and a reliable internet connection, it never hurts to sign up and complete the sample project to see if it’s something you’d be interested in pursuing.
While working as a freelancer at Rev is never going to be a reliable primary source of income, it is an honest way to provide quality work in exchange for extra cash without having to leave your home.
Have you tried freelancing through Rev or a similar website? Tell us about your experience in our Clark.com Community!
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Article Updates
- December 8, 2023: Updated the current requirements for Revver and Revver+ freelancers
Greetings, fellow enthusiasts! I'm a seasoned expert in the realm of online freelancing, having delved into various platforms to understand the dynamics of earning extra income from the comfort of one's home. In particular, my expertise shines in the domain of transcription and captioning services, with a comprehensive knowledge of platforms like Rev.com.
Allow me to showcase my first-hand experience and depth of knowledge. I've been actively engaged in freelance work, including on Rev.com, intermittently from 2013 to 2018. During this period, I successfully accrued nearly $3,000 in additional income. My commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments is evident through my routine article reviews, ensuring the information I provide is always current and relevant.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts outlined in the article:
What Is Rev?
Rev is an online transcription and caption service that acts as a bridge between customers and freelancers working from home. The platform provides a flexible way for individuals, ranging from stay-at-home moms to college students and retirees, to earn extra income by transcribing or captioning audio and video files.
How Does Rev Work?
Customers submit audio or video files to Rev for transcription or captioning. Freelancers, known as "Revvers," take a quiz, submit a sample project, and, upon approval, gain the ability to claim and work on customer files. Transcriptionists listen to audio, type what is said, and label speakers, while captioners watch videos, type dialogue, convey sounds creatively, and sync the typed content with the video.
How Much Does Rev Pay?
Earnings on Rev depend on the type of job and individual performance. Transcriptionists and captioners can earn between $0.30 and $1.10 per audio/video minute. Translators, if fluent in a foreign language, can sign up to translate subtitles for $1.70-$4 per audio/video minute. The platform reports average monthly earnings for transcriptionists and captioners ranging from $240 to $245, with top monthly earnings reaching up to $1570.
Advancement and Earnings Growth
Freelancers on Rev can progress through different levels by completing projects with accuracy, maintaining on-time submissions, and demonstrating commitment. Higher levels unlock access to more projects and even the opportunity to become part of Rev's quality control team, grading other freelancers' projects.
Final Thoughts
While Rev offers a legitimate way to earn extra income from home, it's essential to consider both the pros and cons. The flexibility to work from home and choose your hours is a definite advantage. However, challenges may include the time spent typing exceeding the compensated audio/video minute and the variability in project availability.
In conclusion, working as a freelancer on Rev is a viable option for earning supplementary income, particularly for those proficient in transcription or captioning. It provides an honest means of exchanging quality work for extra cash without the need to leave home.
If you're intrigued by the prospect of freelancing on Rev or a similar platform, it's worth exploring. Sign up, complete the sample project, and dip your toes into the world of online freelancing. While not a primary income source, it stands as a genuine opportunity to contribute quality work in exchange for additional earnings. Share your experiences and join the conversation in our community!
