3 Keys to Providing the Best Transcription Services For Transcribers

Transcription

1 3 Keys to Providing the Best Transcription Services For Transcribers As a transcriptionist, help your clients put their content into context and it will keep them coming back. 1. Do you offer top-notch transcription skills? You need to be a fast and accurate typist with a tremendous grasp of grammar. You must maneuver in transcription software like you were born doing it, follow client-provided style guidelines, and never waver from the deadline-being-the-deadline. When you provide digital audio transcription services, you re ultimately evaluated on keeping your word and delivering the words on time. Don t dabble. Make sure you have what it takes to succeed. 2. Do you like to learn new information? Offering transcribing services gives you a view into industries and subjects that may be new to you. Don t deliver a final draft with (inaudible) or (indistinguishable) notations when a quick search on the Internet could verify these terms you re unsure of. In addition, ask the client if they can provide a list of commonly used terms from the recording. This will help you provide a more accurate transcript. Offering these value-added services is not lost on the client; they know when you re going the extra mile. 3. Are you viewing things from the client s eyes? The transcript is the end-product delivered to the client, but what else does your client receive from you? Do you do an audio proof (not just proofing while typing the raw transcript) to review the quality of the transcription? Do you offer a final read-through to ensure comprehension? Are you alerting the client of items that may be discrepancies in their transcript? A good enough transcription is

2 never an option. Deliver with the quality that you d expect to receive. If you re a top-notch transcriptionist or if you re a company seeking transcription support that meets YOUR mark, contact JKES Staffing Solutions today. The Best Transcription Companies How to Find One As a transcription services provider, our clients count on us to render line, form and movement to their audio and video recordings the result being a tangible transcript of the spoken word. We re contacted daily to deliver professional transcription support for focus group discussions, lectures, interviews, digital audio teleconferences, meetings, webcasts the list is endless. As a business professional, you need to feel confident those whom you re entrusting to transcribe your content have your best interests at heart. We ve been delivering transcription services to companies for many years and it s our pleasure to provide the outline below identifying four key areas and the elements within for you to consider when evaluating and choosing a transcription company. Technical Skills Keyboarding Skills/Speed Look for an above-average rate of speed (75+ words per minute) married with a high degree of accuracy (98% or higher). Fast isn t valuable if precision isn t the guarantee. Know and Understand Technology/Computer Literacy Work with someone who knows more than just the technology basics. Look for creativity and adaptability; ask what type of [Type text] [Type text] [Type text]

3 technology they use to listen to your audio/video and the software they use to create your transcript. Working within Deadlines This is all about time management and organizational skills. Great transcriptionists know how to work backwards in estimating typing time, proofing time and readingfor-comprehension time to beat your deadline and exceed your expectations. Communication Skills Spelling and Grammar You have a right to expect your transcription services provider to excel in these areas. Inquire how they ensure the accurate handling of homonyms. If they re uncertain or confused about their homonym policy, don t go there. Superior Listening Typing what is said can be a science at times. Does the transcription company have the capability to provide verbatim (word-for-word) transcripts? Can they remove the superfluous (I know, you mean, like, uh, um, ah) interjections to create a cleaner transcript for you? Be specific with what you d like to see as an end result and learn if the transcription company offers these skills. Superior Comprehension/Ear for Detail This is where experience is vital. Great transcriptionists will hear discrepancies because their ears have been trained to hear and comprehend the detail. If something said later in the transcript does not jibe with what was said earlier, your transcription company would bring this to your attention. It s not too much to expect. Experience Specialties Some transcription services providers specialize in delivering transcripts of accented speakers, those that contain two or more speakers or transcripts requiring time code

4 stamps. Be sure you understand areas of specialty and any price increases associated with higher-value services. Terminology Research Is it important to you that your transcription company go the extra mile in researching and verifying terminology on your transcript? A transcription services provider who is on the ball will maintain a terminology list specifically for your work to ensure consistency on your future transcripts. Proofing Process Ask questions about the proofing process. If your transcript is not proofed a minimum of two times, you may want to consider speaking with another potential provider. And a response of proofing as the transcript is typed is not an acceptable guarantee of accuracy or consistency on your deliverable. Years in Business Ask the provider how long they ve been in business providing transcription services. Any transcription company worth its salt will be pleased to share this information with you. Longevity is significant. Work Ethic Professionalism This does not become any less important as we move from the brick-and-mortar environment to the virtual workplace. Ask for references and examples of work if this will provide you with a better feel for the provider s professionalism. Those who are serious about your business will gladly respond to your requests. Confidentiality Work with a transcription services provider who provides a confidentiality clause in their service agreement. (Yes, be sure to sign an agreement.) Feel confident that the subject matter shared with your transcription company stays with your transcription company. [Type text] [Type text] [Type text]

5 Business/Industry Knowledge This is extremely important when it comes to creating your content. A transcription company should be familiar with standard business acronyms, business leaders and business trends. Vested Interest in Your Success Work with a transcription services provider who wants to understand what s important to you. Find someone who isn t afraid to have a voice-tovoice conversation and clarify your needs. You want to work with someone who requests that level of detail because it indicates they re interested in your success. And finally transcribing is more than just typing. If you have ever received transcription services support, you quickly discovered upon review of your final deliverable whether you hired a skilled service provider. Transcription is a combination of art, skill and business savvy; it s the transformation of your raw material into a meaningful deliverable to support the success of your business. Be sure to partner with a transcription company that has experience, is pleased to answer your questions and is committed to your success. All the best. Kendra JKES Staffing Solutions