Looking for a good transcription company on the Internet is a difficult task. Whether you perform a general Google search for transcription services or a specific search such as conference transcription or interview transcribing, you receive thousands of website links. Once you find a transcription company you think can handle your job, you then have several elements to consider aside from the price of the services. How the company answers the questions will tell someone the level of professionalism and experience the company has, which will help in the decision making process.
Who does the transcribing? – Many times transcription companies hire people with audio typing experience, but fail to recognize that audio typing is not as detailed as transcribing. Highly experienced transcribers have a wide range of proficiencies that include superior language and grammar skills, accuracy, excellent proofreading skills which include spotting contextual errors, distinguish inconsistencies within the text, ability to identify and transcribe from different accents and dialects, recognize voice inflections, and be able to maintain the style and meaning of the speaker.
How much time will the transcriber spend on research? – Researching in some transcription companies can be considered as a different service altogether. But, it should be part of the standard service. Fact checking is vital to an accurate transcript and it can easily be done. Getting the names, dates, places and terms all correct speaks volumes for the transcriber. This means that they go the extra mile for the client. For instance, imagine the problems if a transcriber did no research at all and used misspelled terms or used inaccurate terminology on an important job? What use would that document be then?
Are the transcripts proofread? – Proofreading should be the last step that transcription companies should provide. Every task completed should undergo a thorough proofreading to make sure that there are no errors such as typos or inconsistencies. The entire context should be inspected for areas that do not make sense or could be revised to better suit the client. This is best done by a proofreader and not by the original transcriber. Sometimes the writer fails to see the mistakes, so another pair of eyes is necessary for an unbiased approach.
Do they have enough transcribers? – Some transcription companies accept large projects without realizing that they do not have the staffing to ensure the project is completed by the deadline. This could lead to outsourcing parts of the project to companies that may not hold the same standards the company you choose maintains. Also, if they do not realize they are in over their heads soon enough, that causes them to rush the project and not be as detailed as they could be.
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