How do I Choose a Transcription Service?

Today, it’s almost impossible to talk about online translation without mentioning the best transcription services. There is a growing need for companies and freelancers that have mastered this skill.

Parents, for example, care about the academic progress of their children. Most of these parents don’t have the time to attend school meetings and other academic engagements. Many schools now hire the services of transcription agencies to provide the written content of such school activities on the school’s website. This ensures that parents stay abreast of the academic well-being of their children.

Court reporting is another sector that relies heavily on transcription services. Legal proceedings in courts of law will always be part of our society. This means that agencies that specialize in the transcription of legal and court documents will always find business. These examples are just some of the many ways that transcription services have become essential to many endeavors.

 It is, therefore, essential that you know what to look for when choosing a reliable transcription service. The market offers numerous options, especially online.

It’s critical to consider the following features and criteria when choosing a transcription company:

1)Quality of Service

Quality is a crucial part of any transcription work. Given the easy internet access that many people enjoy, access to a wide range of transcription services is just a click away. Unfortunately, such easy internet access has also encouraged the online growth of automated transcription services. Much like the software used for translations, these automated systems are not without flaws. They can’t produce good-quality transcriptions like those produced by manual transcriptionists.

Expert transcriptionists are an integral part of any transcription service. Such experts should be able to recognize different regional accents, grammatical errors in texts, and other writing mistakes. Many transcription services guarantee quality accuracy at 99 percent, the industry standard. A few companies claim to offer 100 percent accuracy though they cannot prove it.

A robust quality control system is also a good indicator of a reliable transcription service. Such a mechanism should include ISO certification.

2) Skill and Location

In today’s globalized world, there is less focus on the geographic location of a business enterprise if it has an online presence. However, sometimes the issue of geographic location can be a sticking point. Expertise and knowledge of regional customs are necessary for some transcription projects. A long-time resident of that particular locale can provide unique insight.

3) Confidentiality Guarantees and Security

Information technology faces many threats today. Corporations, including translation service companies, face numerous challenges keeping up with the countermeasures to those threats. Computer viruses and malware pose an existential threat to online security. Be sure to ask a translation company about its computer system security. Hackers try to access sensitive material continuously. A reliable translation services company should have enough firewall protection to prevent intrusion into their file systems. Ensure to ask about backup protocols. Most large companies now store consumer data. A good translation agency should not have a history of data breaches.

Confidentiality involves the usage of client information and controlling access to it. Crucially, a translation company with a history of privacy and confidentiality infringements is not suitable for work. Certain documents, if viewed by third parties, can cause irreparable damage to professional or personal relationships. Make sure that the translation agency has effective measures against such occurrences. Translators should be required to sign comprehensive non-disclosure agreements to ensure the protection of client data.

4) Affordability

A reliable transcription service doesn’t imply exorbitant fees. Some transcription companies try to fleece their clients by charging prices that are far above market rates.  Factors that determine the cost of transcription services include work complexity, quality of the video/audio file, industry trends, and the use of technology. Beware of agencies that offer services at awfully reduced prices. This could mean low-quality transcription work. Cheap services tend to come at the cost of efficiency and high-quality work.

The turnaround time for a project is crucial to overall success. Such success should not come at the cost of efficiency and good quality. Professionals like professors, lawyers, doctors, or students may require a quick transcription. The audio quality, speaker’s accent, and formatting style are some of the factors that determine turnaround time.

Final Words

In a nutshell, finding a transcription service agency is simple. Ensuring that such companies provide quick and efficient services is a salient concern. Thorough research and a careful vetting process will save you money and disappointments in the long run.

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