3Play Media Review: Work as a Transcription Editor

If you’re thinking about transcription as your next side hustle, it’s vital that you choose the right platform for you. So, in this 3Play Media review we’ll delve into the details you need to make an informed decision.

A Brief Overview

3Play Media was founded in 2007 with the primary goal of providing affordable means to make videos accessible for everyone. The founders were four MIT graduates who used technology and innovative thinking to create a captioning and transcription system with three steps, hence the company name.

Today, 3Play Media’s customers include government agencies, educational institutes, media outlets, and companies such as Procter and Gamble. The company has its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts with 50 on-site employees and transcriptionists working around the world.

How 3Play Media Works

3Play Media continually hires Transcript Editors. This role differs a little from most other transcription jobs. Rather than transcribing an audio file, you’ll need to edit a file that has already been transcribed by 3Play’s automatic speech recognition software.

When a customer places a request for transcription, they need to deliver their audio file. It is then put through the automatic speech recognition process before being passed for human editing. This is necessary to polish the initial transcription to ensure accuracy as the computer-generated results may not be 100% correct.

The projects are posted on the company dashboard, so its transcript editors can search for jobs. You’ll receive a transcribed file, and you’ll need to go through it to correct any formatting, punctuation, or word errors.

Each project has its own deadline, and you must ensure you can meet the requirements to continue working with 3Play. The jobs are available on a first come and first served basis. So, there are no guarantees of a specific amount of work per day or per week.

The Job Requirements

Since this role requires more than basic transcription, the company does have some specific requirements to join. These include:

• The ability to provide a quick turnaround and work independently
• Excellent written communication skills
• Proficiency with internet reference sources and research
• Excellent command of English punctuation and grammar.

You Must also:

• Be 18+
• Be a US resident with a US bank account and mailing address
• Have a typing speed of 75 wpm or more
• Have knowledge of spreadsheet programs

How Much Can You Earn?

3Play Media claims that it is possible to earn $10 to $30 per hour as one of its transcript editors. However, your earnings will depend on several factors, including your typing speed and the price per project. Typically, longer and more difficult tasks pay more.

So, if you’re a fast and efficient worker without compromising on quality, you’ll be able to earn a higher hourly rate, as you complete more projects each hour.

3Play does grade its transcript editors on the quality of their work. So, if you repeatedly commit errors, you may lose your ability to claim jobs on the platform.

As a newbie, $10 per hour may be a more realistic rate, and $30 per hour may be difficult and unrealistic. However, once you get used to the style of the projects, it should be quite straightforward to earn up to $20 per hour.

All payments are made each week via bank deposit, but it is also possible to receive your earnings via check.

3Play Media Reputation

3Play Media does have a solid rating on several review platforms. On Glassdoor, the company has a rating of 3.8 out of 5, while on Indeed, its rating is 3.9 out of 5.

While there are both positive and negative comments, the overall feedback is positive. There are tasks available at all times of the year, with interesting jobs and higher rates of pay compared to basic transcription platforms.

The main complaint appears to be that work isn’t always available. This is because work isn’t allocated to individual transcript editors. You simply need to log on to the dashboard and claim projects. So, if you’re in a different time zone or simply have bad timing, there may be times when you log in, and there is no work.

Getting Started

To get started with 3Play Media, you’ll need to visit the company website and complete the application. You can choose to apply as an English transcript editor or a Spanish transcript editor. You’ll need to provide all the required information, including name, email address, postal address, and phone number.

The application also includes questions about your typing speed, any transcription experience, and a description of your computer operating system. You should answer these questions honestly, as this information is crucial for the role.

The next stage of the process is to transcribe a sample video. The 3Play team will evaluate the quality of your work to ensure you meet the company standards. 3Play Media does provide some guidelines on how to complete the transcription. This includes rules on abbreviations and speaker identification. So, it is important to familiarize yourself with the guidelines before attempting the tests.

Another consideration for these tests is that you need to type directly into the transcription box. The system does not allow copy and pasting, and it will impact your score.

Once you submit the tests, it will take approximately two to three weeks for the company to evaluate your results and get back to you. However, if you fail a test, you may receive a rejection immediately. 

While this is not the toughest application process, it is also not the easiest. There are other transcription companies that have an easier recruitment process, but the increased rate of pay may make it worth going through the tests to qualify for 3Play.

The Potential Drawbacks

No platform is perfect, so being realistic about potential drawbacks before signing up is important. The possible drawbacks of 3Play Media include:

• Lengthy Application Process: It can take several weeks from submitting your initial application form to getting the results back from multiple tests before you can get started. So, if you’re looking for a quick gig, you may feel frustrated about the wait.
• No Allocated Work: Projects are available on a first-come and first-served basis. You’ll need to log in to the 3Play dashboard and claim projects. So, if you have bad timing or are unlucky, you may struggle for work when you’re available.
• There is a Learning Curve: The work is a little different from basic transcription work since you are working more as an editor. This creates a more lucrative gig, but there is a learning curve.

Conclusion

3Play Media is a legit company offering an opportunity for freelancers to earn up to $30 per hour. While the application process is a little more long-winded and there is a learning curve, this is one of the best rates in the industry.

You’ll need to be prepared to log in and claim projects, ensuring that you meet the deadline. This differs from other platforms where work is allocated. However, there is the potential to work as, and when you like, so you can fit the work around any other commitments.

Additionally, 3Play Media will pay you weekly. Even if you only worked two hours, you won’t need to wait to reach a set minimum before you can claim your earnings.

So, if you’re looking for a more interesting transcription gig, 3Play Media is worth a try.