Never do yourself what someone else can do better and faster. I record all interviews, and I used to transcribe them myself. Not any more. Having them professionally transcribed makes me more productive as a writer. Plus I can offer the transcriptions as an added value to my clients who may want to use them for other purposes — such as press releases, presentations, and web content. My preferred transcriber is voType, owned by Wendy Ledger. voType is fast and accurate.
If you use a transcription service, here are some tips to get the best results:
- Schedule in advance. Make sure the transcriber can deliver what you need when you need it. I can’t always schedule ahead, but when I can’t I try to allow extra time for turnaround.
- Provide a word list. If the content is specialized, give the transcriber a list of names, technical terms, acronyms, and arcane words used.
- Be clear about your expectations. The transcriber will likely ask if you need a verbatim transcription, with all the ums, ahs, and false starts. For my purposes, I like the transcriber to clean these up for me.
- Ask about acceptable formats. Does the transcriber prefer mp3 or some other format? Transcribers can usually convert formats for you, but it takes time and, as a result, may cost a little extra. I record in dma but convert to mp3 because file size is smaller. I To convert, I use Switch Sound Converter software because it is very easy to use.
Is there anything you would like to add, Wendy?
Nancy, I think those are all good points. I guess another thing to think about is if you have specific formatting issues. I also generally ask clients about whether time codes are helpful as markers in the document. I have to say that I’m also very pleased to work with Nancy. She is a very thoughtful and clear communicator, and it’s been a delight to work with her.