10 Things to Think About Before Handing Over Media for Transcription

The article outlines a list of ten things that you are supposed to consider before you send in video or audio material for transcription. This helps to save time, conserve budget and streamline the workflow.  Below are the steps to follow;

1. File format – understanding the format the material is in is critical as not all software handles all the formats available. Be sure to let the transcription company know to avoid surprised and encourage smooth running of things.
2. File quality- it is recommended to begin with the highest quality media available as this is what transcribers rely on to get the job done right.
3. Audio levels- try to come up with consistent sound levels so that the transcriptionists can have an easy time with their work and not listen to something that will end up harming their ears.
4. Time code details- knowing the exact time codes help to ensure that everything remains in sync with the source of the media.
5. Total length of the video/audio- telling the transcribers the total length of the project helps them to plan their work well and follow their schedules as they usually have a lot of work waiting for them. This also allows them to meet deadlines with ease.
6. Vocal and audio quality- it is highly recommended to let the transcriptionists know if there is any problem with the recordings so that they can know how to deal with it first hand.  This also helps to save a lot of time as the company will not need to go through the recordings to identify the problems.
7. Expected turnaround- let the professionals who are working on your transcript know the time you expect to have the finished project submitted to you so that they can prioritize it and deliver it on time.
8. Exceptions and omissions- before the transcriptions begins, you have to let the person in charge know any material that you want to be omitted in the final project. There are times when this is done to save space and time.
9. Labels and headers- make sure to include any labels or headers that you would like to be included in the project before the transcription process begins.
10. Security and location preferences- there are some projects that may require special level security. You can choose a company that offers either onsite or onshore services depending on what you are most comfortable with at the end of the day.