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What’s a Cat Got to Do with Freelance Transcription?

You might be wondering why we have a cat on our logo, and what’s a cat got to do with freelance transcription?

I decided to become a freelance transcriber and work on my own, not because I’m 100% introverted and don’t like social interaction but because of the flexibility, the opportunity to earn more, and all the rest of the good stuff that you read on other blogs about the advantages of leaving your 9-to-5 job and working from home full time.

Oh, and here’s the best one I found in an article posted on entrepreneur.com — one of the benefits of working as a freelancer is you “become a better human being.”

Hmm, I wonder if that’s true for me.

I need to mull over that one. Haha! 🙂

Anyway, when I was a full-time employee and working in the office, I enjoyed cigarette breaks with my co-workers. I never smoked really, but just talking with them, getting to know them more on a personal level, sharing jokes, and laughing together — and talking about our bosses (Laughing Out Loud!!!) — could be fun and refreshing.

However, I realized that I enjoy working from home even more.

Okay, back to working freelance.

I was enjoying myself — working when I wanted to and sleeping (which is my favorite hobby) when I wanted to and earning.

I thought my job was already perfect. I never thought freelancing could be even more fun and rewarding until I met Molly.

It was love at first sight. She had me at meow 🙂 (as in Jerry Maguire’s famous line: “You had me at hello.”).

I got Molly from a pet shop.

I know, I know. Adopt, don’t shop.

Well, I believe that getting Molly from the pet shop was, in a way, rescuing her.

The pet shop was not, shall we say, in the best condition.

Molly was an adolescent cat when I got her, which means that she’d been in that shop for quite a while.

The cage she’d been in was very small. She smelled like poo and had fleas and ear mites — but her face was the cutest!

She was just adorable.

There was no thinking twice. Right then and there I decided…

I’m hers!

I’m her hooman!

It’s about time she had a home and someone to care for her.

So I took her home and then the rest, as they say, is history.

Okay, wait, what’s the topic again? Right. What’s a cat got to do with freelance transcription?

Well, who says working from home always means working alone?

I do freelance transcription.

I work from home.

But…

I don’t work alone. I have co-workers.

And here are the roles they play in relation to my freelance transcription career:

1. My supervisor.

Most people may find transcription a boring and monotonous job because you’re always in front of the computer typing away.

Well, not for me.

I absolutely love my job transcribing from home, all aspects of it — being in front of the computer for long periods, listening, typing, searching Google, and working on my own.

Everything is done with no pressure from anyone. I can say that transcription (general transcription specifically) definitely fits my personality.

And since it’s a very flexible job — meaning I can do it any time I want, I just have to be mindful of the turnaround time for every project I accepted — I can squeeze other things in between.

Because I am very focused when working and get sucked into another world, I sometimes forget to take a break, which I know is important for physical and mental well-being.

I’m glad I have a su-purr-visor who gives me a nudge once in a while and says, “Hey, stop typing. It’s time to take a break. I’m hungry. Get me some food!”

2. My apprentice.

Okay, I got a reminder from my su-purr-visor to leave my workstation and do a little stretching, relax my brain and eyes for a few minutes, so I go and do something else — maybe go to the bathroom, drink a glass of water, get some snack, or whatever.

Meanwhile, my ap-purr-rentice continues my work and starts typing.

But there’s one big problem…

She always types in codes that my client won’t understand, for sure.

My transcript then looks something like this:

I woke up at 4:30 in the morning and spontaneously jkla;fjfj;aaaaa had an out-of-body experience. This was completely unexpected. It was nothing that Klllllllllllllllllllllrt5555555554 I found myself on this astral journey, moving up into space, woienwoerno oweu88888888 asadiowrjoaaaaaa wueoruwrrrrrrrr;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;wer iwoeiru[[pppppp.

Oh, heck!

One time she sent an email — all in codes!

Hmm, I think my ap-purr-entice wants to be a computer programmeow.

I better find her an online gig.

But I’m afraid no one’s going to hire her because she easily gets tired and drowses off during work hours.

3. My entertainer.

Being a freelancer gives me the freedom to do whatever I want.

I can use social media to my satisfaction.

We all know that these days social media is one of the popular ways to get entertained. However, I found that it’s the number one time killer. I look at one post and then scroll and then scroll and then scroll some more and then… oh, crap! I wasted 45 minutes without knowing it.

Well, those days are gone.

Now I have live en-purr-tainers right here at my workplace.

I can easily watch them while working.

Romance, drama, comedy, action — you name it.

4. My therapist.

Being a freelancer can be draining sometimes, and working alone can be lonely.

In moments like this, I feel I need comfort and support.

Well, guess who’s sitting on the sofa?

My purr-apist.

She’s purring and snuggling with concern.

Spending time with her makes me feel so much better.

Thank you for helping me save my sanity, Dr. Purr.

And, oh, look!

I even got a whole team of them.

So for me, freelance transcription will never be the same without my furry allies.

GIVING

In memory of Molly and other departed loved ones who left a paw print on our hearts, 50% of Escribr’s net earnings from ads and affiliate programs are set aside to help care for abandoned and abused cats and kittens.

When you click an ad or make a purchase through an affiliate link, you will know you have given back.