How To Choose The Best Online Transcription Service? 5 Tips
Converting files to text can be necessary for many spheres. No matter what industry you or your business work in, you may need a reliable online transcription service. If you lack experience in working with such service providers, it can be challenging for you to make the proper choice. However, picking the appropriate service is crucial for a good experience and high-quality results. Keep on reading to make a wiser choice on a suitable audio transcription provider.
How Do Transcription Services Work?
First of all, you need to understand how such services run. The process is quite simple, and it begins when you upload a media or send a URL to it. Then, a transcriber starts working on it, or the file is processed by special software, depending on the type of transcription you choose: manual or automated. After the final version of the transcribed text is ready, proofreading and editing take place. Some services enable editing the files by their customers. Then, they share the ready file with the user and likely archive it in the database in case it is necessary for the future.
3 Main Transcription Formats
Except for transcription type (manual or automated), you will also need to determine a suitable format. The whole process depends on the selected format, so let’s have a more detailed look at the 3 main transcription formats and decide which one you need.
Verbatim
This is the simplest transcription format. It involves putting into text both verbal and non-verbal speech components. It records all the sentence fillers, grammar mistakes, stammers, and other details in the text file. Moreover, it also keeps all the interruptions, emotions, feelings, breathing, pauses, and background noise. The final text gives as much context to the speech as possible. Verbatim is an optimal format for business meetings and interviews, court hearings, discussions, etc.
Non-verbatim
Non-verbatim or edited transcription is more demanding and requires more time. This format involves correcting grammatical mistakes, improving sentence structure, adding omitted words, and excluding repetitive ones. This type tries to keep the original ideas but improves the text in general and makes it look more formal. It is appropriate for conferences, seminars, speeches, and interviews.
Intelligent Verbatim
This format is a combination of the two types we mentioned above. The edited verbatim focuses on accurate transcriptions but also lightly edits the word-to-word text. It eliminates most pauses, repetitions, and sentence fillers. But it omits only unnecessary or misspoken elements and keeps the important ones. Intelligent verbatim keeps the context and presents accurate results with slight improvements. Such a format will be appropriate for the business sphere.
Choosing The Best Online Transcription Service:5 Points To Consider
While looking for an online transcription service, define your necessities and priorities. We singled out the most valuable universal criteria to pick the best vendor. Regardless of what industry you need the transcription in, consider them.
1. Turnaround Time and Flexibility
Now that you understand the transcription process, you realize that the turnaround time may differ depending on the determined type and format. It can take from 10 minutes to a few weeks. The time also depends on the length and quality of the media you uploaded. Different providers offer various deadlines that meet certain customers’ needs. If you are in a time crunch, look for an automated transcription service.
2. Accuracy
Some people think that automated transcriptions are not as accurate as human ones. However, the use of modern technologies like AI enables presenting high-quality results. Cutting-edge tools separate the speech from the background noise, single out what different speakers say, and even determine and transcribe speeches with different accents. One more advantage of automated transcription is its fast turnaround time.
3. Customer Service
Pay attention to the personalized customer service. Pick a company that takes into account all your specifications and suggests the most beneficial possible options. Make sure they can give comprehensive answers to all your questions and concerns. If you are looking for a long-term cooperation partner, ask about possible discounts for further orders.
4 Reasonable Pricing
Automated transcription services are more cost-effective than hiring a specialist. Another tendency is outsourcing transcription offshore. Keep in mind that the exact cost can vary from the advertised one, as there may be edits, revisions, etc. It especially pertains to human transcription and low-quality files. Always make sure there is a reason for changing your order price.
Pay attention to the hidden costs
In reality, many untrustworthy service providers promote affordable prices, but there can be many hidden charges. While choosing the right service to ensure that their pricing system is clear and the estimated cost will not change. It is ideal when there is a calculator that estimates the price automatically. One of the main pitfalls is extra charges for urgent orders as many vendors skyrocket their fees in this case. Try to negotiate and if they don’t take steps towards your needs, better go for another provider.
5. Files Security
Security of your files and content should be a priority for providers. Many files that need to be transcribed contain crucial data, and they need to be stored in a safe place. Ask the company about how they ensure file protection and your client information confidentiality.
Conclusion
Picking the appropriate vendor for your transcription demands seems a time-consuming task. You want to be certain that you are receiving excellent work within the deadlines and without overpaying. Transcriberry.com offers online transcription assistance for any content type you want, including speeches, interviews, and meetings.
Try Transcriberry Transcription Service
We provide a personalized experience for each customer and are ready to answer any of your questions about our services. Place an order right now and receive a high-quality transcription created according to your requirements and preferences. Transcriberry offers fast human or automated online transcription services without affecting the great quality.
