What in the World Is Transcription?

Some of you may not have heard of the term or are just dropping by for a look. Here is a quick explanation of transcription:

• Typing dictation from audio files (MP3 or WAV usually) using a pedal and transcription playback software on the computer.
• Some transcription is verbatim--typed exactly as dictated. Usually this is done with medical transcription as it is very exact.
• Other transcription of internet calls, teleseminars, webinars, or similar conferences need more editing to get rid of exterraneous words like "um," "So...," "Well...," etc.
• Some transcription is still done by typing from a tape, although today usually digital recordings are used.
• Everything is transferred over the Internet: Audio files, study guides, and the final transcript is usually emailed to the client.
• Transcription involves checking grammar, substituting better word choices for the speaker or writer, sometimes rearranging sentences so they flow better, fixing punctuation, etc.
  
• Proofreading involves checking grammar, checking punctuation, making suggestions to the author of alternative ways to say something that sound better, etc. These are usually gone over more than once, depending upon the exacting nature of the author (I once heard that C.S. Lewis never wanted any editing done on his manuscripts--some people can do that).

Now that you know a little bit about what transcriptionists do, check out the articles below on pricing, our limited time discount, as well as blog posts on how to treat clients and how to fix audio problems in your recorded material.

I Can Turn Your Transcripts into Excellent...

...Articles – These could be for your website--they're one of the best free ways to get loads of visitors to your site. They can also be used as freebies for your opt-in list.

...E-Courses – Build trusting relationships with your email subscribers with a multi-part series of emails on specific topics. They'll be impressed by your excellent grammar and punctuation--a rarity these days online!

...Blog Posts – Blogs are incredibly easy, powerful, and routinely scoured and selected by the search engines. A one hour teleseminar or webinar can easily turn into several blog posts.

...E-Books – Do you have an existing manuscript or a collection of articles? They can be made into an e-book and used very profitably on your website.

...PowerPoint Slide Shows – Just narrate over your slides and get huge exposure on video sharing sites or turn your narration into hard copy documents for your websites.

Legitimate clients may contact me for more information or to set up a schedule for your transcription at: aaatranscription@sbcglobal.net.

We Do Medical Transcription

Triple-A Transcription has created a medical transcription 

service designed for its clients in the medical field whose subject matter necessitates specialized knowledge. We provide medical transcription for pharmaceutical firms, medical meeting planners, and Continuing Medical Education organizations with verbatim medical transcripts and summaries for external and internal communications and publishing.
 
Our medical transcriptionists are specialized, with extensive medical backgrounds. Whether you are holding an advisory board meeting, roundtable discussion, lecture, symposium, or panel discussion, we can document your event in our medical transcripts.
 
Triple-A Transcription also offers medical reports and summaries. 
 
Ask for an estimate for our medical transcription service.  We will get back to you within 24 hours.
 
Want to get the best possible quality of audio recording?  See the article above on audio recording.

Tips for Getting Better Audio Recordings

Poor transcription is often the result of bad recording. I recently transcribed a teleseminar where I could hear the guest fine, but the interviewer was so staticy that I could barely hear him.  Not only was this irritating, but I actually was not able to transcribe some of the things he said.

It doesn't have to be that way.  Below are four simple suggestions for improving the quality of your recordings and, consequently, the quality of your transcripts.

1.  The recorder or microphone should be as close to the speaker as possible

For presentations, tape directly off the microphone. Usually, if you explain to the A/V technician that you want an audio tape of the presentation, they will make one for you. For an interview, place the recorder closer to the person you are interviewing than to yourself. For a group discussion, a roundtable or a focus group, use an “omni-directional” microphone. Inexpensive ones are available at Radio Shack or similar stores.

2.  Keep the background noise down

Tape your interview in a quiet place. Restaurants are never quiet enough. Cars, other people, coughs, and paper shuffling will always be louder than you and your subject, even in a small group. Give your speaker a lapel microphone.

3.  Make good equipment choices

Use standard size cassettes whenever possible. They provide better quality and durability. Check your batteries. If you don't know how old they are, replace them. Turn off voice activation. Set the recorder on standard speed, not slow speed (most micro-cassette recorders have two speeds). Buy a telephone record coupler that connects between the phone and handset to tape directly from the phone instead of recording from the speakerphone. Last, if you record on a regular basis, invest in a good quality recorder and microphone. A couple of hundred dollars invested in equipment will save you thousands of dollars in transcription costs and improve the quality of your transcripts.

4.  Facilitate the recording

Announce and spell the names of subjects at the beginning of the recording. If it is important that individuals in a 2- or 3-person group be identified in the transcript, please have them identify themselves at the beginning of the session. Note that more than three people in a discussion are usually impossible to identify on an audiotape. If you want us to match a name with a voice, they must identify themselves every time they speak. Give us a terminology list whenever possible; any document or PowerPoint presentation will help. Last but not least, test the recording. Stop and listen after a few minutes of conversation to make sure everything is working properly and the most important voices can be heard clearly.
 

from PASS (Professional Association of Secretarial Services)

Verbatim or Edited Summary?

If you're having a hard time deciding which type of transcript you will need, here are some helpful hints.

You need verbatim transcription if: 
·         every word matters (depositions, focus groups, etc.);
·         for statutory reasons, you need to keep a legal record;
·         you want a record with which to edit audio or video (timecoding).

You need a summary or edited report if: 

·         you want to give your readers a better-presented, more efficient document that does not include all of the unnecessary information;
·         you have no time to edit a transcript yourself;
·         you want to increase the impact of your meeting or event. 

No matter what document you choose, we can work from all types of audio files (digital or on CD).   We can tailor your project according to your needs.  Please be sure to ask for an estimate for your particular job and let us know your specifications (if any).  We will get back to you within 24 hours.  

In These Days of Internet Marketing, One Just Can't Do It Right without Transcribed Hardcopies!

Are you in that classification?  Are you an internet marketer, a salesperson, a CEO, a seminar and conference speaker, a podcaster, or a preacher?  I'm sure you've found that you really can't do without excellently transcribed copies of your audio or video productions.  

You need hardcopies for those who couldn't attend, for freebies on your website, for a book that's in the works, or just for your own records.  That's what Triple-A Transcription is here for!  We transcribe your audio or video files with Accuracy, Alacrity, and Amiability.

Perhaps you have manuscripts already typed which are in need of proofreading or editing or both.  We do that too!  Check out our great prices and quick turnaround time, and send those projects on over.  We'll be happy to help your business succeed!