Pros and cons of Quicktate/iDictate
Review is from the perspective of a typist/transcriptionist, typing files for Quicktate/iDictate.
PROS:
-FLEXIBILITY. Log in at your convenience, anytime, as long as you have an internet connection and earbuds.
-SIMPLICITY. Once you get started, it's very easy. Listen, and type what you hear. Follow a few simple guidelines (resources provided in advance). Typist site is very simple, nearly foolproof.
-LOW BARRIER TO ENTRY. If you have good hearing and can type, you can do this work.
-TRANSPARENCY. Mind you, I'm only talking about your work history/pay for Quicktate/iDictate jobs; you can see this info clearly on the typist website under "Work History".
-BILINGUAL/SPANISH LANGUAGE TYPISTS WANTED. The main languages/types are English, English Medical, and Spanish. If you are lucky, you qualify for all three.
-SUPPORT. Granted, I've only had to contact support ahead of being approved, as I was dealing with the background check delay. They were reasonably responsive.
-RESOURCES. While I think their online resources are imperfect, they provide more than enough information for you to be a successful typist/transcriptionist. I think someone should re-organize and condense all their guides and FAQ and such. Most aspiring typists should easily find and understand the necessary information, though.
CONS:
-VARIABLE AVAILABILITY OF JOBS. Sometimes I log in and get many consecutive files to complete. Other times I get next to nothing.
-PAY. Depending on the file category/language, you will typically earn 1 cent every 4 words. It's important for you to be efficient (but accurate) for this job. Don't expect to pay your rent with this, but it can be a decent side gig, and maybe even a resume filler if you are between jobs for a while.
NEUTRAL:
-APPLICATION PROCESS. Should be painless for most people. I unfortunately ran into a weeks-long delay with the background check process as it was being updated. The testing process was pretty straightforward; complete a few files which are reviewed for accuracy, and you either qualify or you don't. Background check costs 20 bucks or so; you will probably take at least a couple consistent weeks to break even once you are approved to start transcribing.
-EXPECTED vs. ACTUAL JOB SIZE. So far (about a month in), every file I've transcribed was less than about 500 words and could be done directly through the website; I have not had to download a long file and deal with their special formatting rules and upload. This is fine, but based on all their online resources, I didn't realize I would be doing so many short files. It's neither a pro or a con to me though. Also, many of the files contain no voice at all, or at least nothing audible. I don't believe we get paid for listening to a file and marking it as "no audio", unfortunately.
IN SUMMARY: Quicktate/iDictate is a flexible, easy side gig that just about anyone can use to earn some extra income. It's low pay, but the requirements are minimal, and you can start/stop at any time, anywhere, on your schedule. In my experience, I would roughly equate this to taking paid surveys, in terms of ease and pay for the time it requires.