an audio file yourself can be very difficult. There is more to it than simply writing down what you hear – it is an art that requires skill, experience and a little insider knowledge about the art of transcription too. That is why hiring a professional transcriber, such as 1-888-TYPE-IT-UP, to transcribe your audio file for you can be a very smart choice. There are a few things that you need to look for when hiring a transcriber, so here, to help you out, we have created the following list of handy tips on finding the right transcriber for your audio file.
Three tips on finding the right transcriber for your audio file.
1. Know where to look.
Websites such as Upwork, Freelancer and Gumtree are all good places to find freelance transcribers. Many transcribers will be able to translate as they transcribe, too – so they can listen to an audio file in one language and transcribe it into another. You can also ask them to provide what are called ‘time codes’ which tell you precisely which section of the audio refers to which section of the transcribed text.
On the above mentioned websites, you can set your fee, explain your project, give a deadline and interview and hire transcribers.
2. Find someone with plenty of transcription experience.
Ask to see their CV to make sure that they have been transcribing audio files for a while. If you like, you can always request references from previous clients and ensure that those check out. Websites such as Upwork allow clients to provide star ratings for freelancers that you work with, which is a handy way to ensure that you are hiring someone reliable.
Another thing to look for is the types of software that your transcriber has experience of using. Depending on the format of your audio file, different types of software may be needed to play and transcribe the voices within it.
3. Find someone who will complete the project within your budget!
Again, if you use sites such as Upwork, you can ask transcribers to ‘bid’ for your job to see who can give you the most competitive rate. You can choose whether to pay transcribers by the hour, or whether you want to pay them all in one go once the project is completed.
Another option on these types of websites is to pay in stages. So, you can ask them to deliver the transcription in intervals of 10 minutes and then pay as you approve each ‘chunk’ of the transcription.