Transcription course scam or transcription course glam?

It’s normal to worry about spending money for anything with no guarantee.  We understand.  But if considering enrolling in an online transcription course, the only true way to know whether the course offers anything of real value is to actually take the course.  Then you will know whether it is the real deal or just a transcription course scam.

Once inside the course, you should ask yourself:  Does the course’s information match with its advertisements?  Am I learning new things of real value to me?  Do I feel happy or unhappy that I paid for this online course?

You should know fairly quickly whether you made a wise choice or if you inadvertently stumbled onto a transcription course scam.

Sneak peek at the course

Absent full-blown paid enrollment, some people like a ‘sneak peek’ at what to expect from a course before plopping down cash.  This peek-a-boo method is a good security blanket for some people.  However, it can be misleading because the preview might be much better than the actual paid course.

Credible?  Or just a transcription course scam?

While a listing in a reputable magazine or an endorsement from an industry trade association sounds great, is it really painting the true picture?  Believe it or not, some course creators merely buy their way into publications or groups for the purpose of trying to gain credibility or standing in their field.  Their motive is simple:  to sell more courses.

Bragging about awards is good if true and the awards are earned.  But that is very different from receiving an award through nepotism or purchase.  In other words, how can anyone know for sure that this is not merely another transcription course scam to make more money?

What are some red flags?

REVIEWS AND TESTIMONIALS.  If the reviewer’s first and last name or contact information is not listed, this is likely a transcription course scam because, after all, the review cannot be corroborated.
Examples:  “Mary from Iowa got a job in two hours after finishing the course. JT from Texas earns $100 an hour after taking our course. Barb says the course changed her life! Read her story here.”

LIFETIME ACCESS.  Lifetime access to an online course or support really means nothing.  For instance, the course creator can merely close the website and/or companion support chat room.  And guess what? Everyone’s access is instantly gone like a popped bubble.  No course should be chosen just because of its sales pitch of “lifetime access.”  What does lifetime access to a course even mean?

More red flags …

RECURRING PAYMENTS.  Be very careful about giving anyone your debit or credit card information to store and use. The ad might say, for example, “six months at $100 per month.”   But how can you know for sure that your card will not continue to be billed after the expiration of six months?  Giving your billing details is always risky, so please be very careful and think things through.

7-DAY WORKSHOP.  If a free “7-day workshop” turns out to be nothing but seven daily emails, beware!  This is NOT a real workshop.  These are merely emails attempting to build trust and confidence.  “This is how I did it, and you can, too!”

These can be seen as scams because they follow a pattern of gradually building excitement until the very end with such things as, “Only two seats left!”  This is to create a sense of urgency to act now, spend your money, jump aboard fast.  Therefore, this is a major red flag indicative of a transcription course scam.

SHOCKING INTERVIEWS.  A popular method used by course creators is to interview a student or course graduate.  The blog usually begins with an attention-grabbing headline such as “Sue was on welfare with no hope until she found this course and it changed her life. Read her story here.” This type of article is akin to outrageous tabloid headlines.

The purpose is to entice the reader to find out more or maybe identify with the person’s situation.  Many ARE real people, but things are often “glammed up,” with the interviewee receiving a nice benefit for participating in the transcription course scam.

And a few more …

Courses that try to upsell OTHER courses at the end.  Even worse is an expensive course that takes you to the end and then tries to upsell yet OTHER paid courses from which the course creator is also financially enriched but usually hides that ‘tidbit’ of information.Unexpected upsells consist of such things as maybe learning to build your own website for another $699 or encouraging you to buy and switch to another course. These are hallmarks of a scam!

RELATED:  Transcription Course:  Find the Best and Lose the Rest.

Too much information about course creator.  “Hey, world!  I came from humble beginnings, but just look at me now!  I have the magic bullet and all the secrets. Follow me, buy my stuff, and I will show you how I did it!” This is a cult mentality, a charismatic leader looking for gullible followers to whip out their credit cards.

Remember:  Your money is spent to learn something to get a job, not to be in the course creator’s ‘fan club.’

Outrageous claims by alleged “graduates” of the transcription course.  Let’s say, just for illustration purposes, that the standard price for transcription of sworn testimony is $2 per page, and everyone working in the industry KNOWS that. Yet, you see a blog or an ad from someone claiming that after taking so-and-so course, they easily make $15 per page, how would you know what the market price really is?

Do your research, especially if anything sounds too good to be true because it usually is.

Let’s turn to the glam marketing techniques …

Not totally a transcription course scam, just glittered to lure you in?

Free stuff.  Introductory workshops, e-books, mini courses, etc., are all marketing techniques.   Unless you ‘opt out’ and do wish to receive future correspondence, some course creators slam folks with ‘junk mail.’It’s not always a bad thing to sign up, though, as future emails CAN contain valuable coupons or other great information.  So these techniques are not NECESSARILY indicative of a scam.

Excessive advertising.  Everywhere you look, there’s the course advertised yet again! People talk about it in chat rooms. Blogs are posted everywhere. Ads are popping up on your social media.  What is going on?  Look carefully.  Nearly every time, these are affiliate ads. “Oh, this is the best thing EVER! Get it now, friends.”These are from salespeople advertising courses, products, or anything they want to promote for a commission.  The ads can be overwhelming if too many affiliates are simultaneously mentioning the same course.

But how can I know if it’s the real deal?

Guarantee of work after taking the transcription course.  This is a really big thing, folks, especially for those expensive courses costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars!  Do you really want to buy an online training course that leaves you even more financially burdened and still have no job in the end? An online course is not the same as taking accredited college courses and receiving a real degree.  Inexpensive courses with no work guarantee?  Sure, buy some of those.  And don’t forget about watching YouTube videos to soak up free information.But you might not want to shell out large sums of money on an expensive transcription course scam that merely gives marketing tips instead of job referrals.

In conclusion, not all transcription courses are scams.  Instead, some are just glams disguised as the real thing.

But wait!  What’s the difference?  Say that again.

Glam courses DO provide advertised content but are glorified as much better than they are. There is usually a ‘disclaimer’ saying that not everyone will be successful and that you will get out of it what you put into it. This is, of course, the ‘out,’ and potential failure shifts to the student.

What about the Real Deal?

Can you please name one that is definitely not a transcription course scam?  Absolutely!  The courses at our Academy.

RELATED:  Learn to Transcribe™ Academy.

The owner and instructor at Learn to Transcribe™ is Linda Wilson, a licensed and bonded court reporter and notary public who actually administers oaths to others and is forbidden from making false claims.  So, rest assured, everything that we say about our courses is 100% true.  Check out Linda and her coaches at this link.

RELATED:  About Us 

Ready to give us a try?  We are waiting and eager to help you!