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Recent Transcription tasks

Transcribe a dictaphone recording

£200

Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire

9th Jul 2024

Transcript of a 2 person meeting lasting 90 minutes

Transcript & update existing will 2 pages

£15

East Finchley, Greater London, N2

21st Aug 2023

Basic uncomplicated will copy typing from overwritten previous will - Due date: Flexible

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Why book a transcription service through Airtasker?

Transcription may seem easy at first glance - just play the audio or video and type what you hear. Still, it’s a job that takes time and a fair amount of skill. If you need quick transcriptions done, don’t waste time posting on various platforms or asking for recommendations. With a single post on Airtasker, you can get dozens of quotations from available transcription specialists.

First, select the “Post a task” button and fill out the form. You can put the length of the material to be transcribed and any format specifications you have. Indicate the deadline for the transcription as well as your desired budget.

Then, tap “Get quotes” and wait for Taskers to send their offers. From here, it’s just a matter of picking the Tasker you like best based on their customer reviews and ratings as well as their quotation. And that’s it! If you want to find a transcription expert in a matter of minutes, just request through Airtasker.

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Top Transcription related questions

Around 3-10 hours, depending on the audio file and the Tasker. Every audio file is different: there could be more than one speaker, the transcriber may not be familiar with the accents, and there could be unfamiliar jargon or acronyms being used. Moreover, you may have a detailed format that the Tasker needs to follow. You can include details like these in your task post so that you can narrow your search down to Taskers who are familiar with your industry and the speakers’ accents.

If you’re looking to improve your transcribing skills, you’ll need to be a fast and accurate typist, have good hearing skills, and get transcription software that can help boost your productivity. It also helps to listen to the entire material or whole sentences before transcribing. If you need help with transcribing ASAP, you can book a specialist via Airtasker. 

This depends on what works for you and the Tasker you’re dealing with. Common audio file types include .mp3, .wav, and .aac. If you need to have a video transcribed, some common file formats are .mp4, .mov, .flv, and .wmv. Having a hard time with your audio files? You can also use Airtasker to find an audio editor near you. 

If you specify this in your task post, you’ll get quotes from Taskers who can transcribe, translate, and do closed captions! Just make sure to put these in your post so that you’ll only get offers from these multi-talented Taskers. Don’t forget to increase your budget range if you’re looking to get one Tasker to fulfil all of these requests. Or, you can simply request the services of a translator near you.

Yes, there are several free and paid programs/apps that can transcribe audio for you. The only possible disadvantages of using these automatic transcribers are:

  • Privacy issues - if your files are confidential, you may need to look into the program’s terms of use
  • Questionable accuracy - you’ll still need to check if the auto-generated transcription is accurate

Need to stay within budget while still getting your transcriptions done on time? Use Airtasker to find a budget-friendly specialist near you.

Typically, 60+ words per minute (wpm) is the industry standard. But while having excellent typing speed is essential to becoming a good transcriber, you should also make sure that your work is accurate. After all, what use is a transcript that beats the deadline but is riddled with errors? If you’re looking for transcription services, make sure to ask for the Tasker’s words per minute or typing speed. 

What do transcription services include?

Airtasker’s transcription services include what any other transcription job does: receiving your files, preparing the transcript based on the content, proofreading it, and sending the transcript to you for approval. 

You can request transcriptionists to help you run your business, conduct academic research, improve your medical & healthcare services, work on legal cases, or document your lectures at school. Simply provide your Tasker with the files, desired format or specifications, and wait for your transcription. If it’s your first time working with a transcriber, here’s how the process goes: 

Transcribing your files

First, you’ll need to send the audio or video files to your Tasker. This step can be done via email, sharing a couple of links, or even handing over a thumb drive or hard drive.  

Next, inform your Tasker about your desired format. You can simply have paragraphs indicating the speaker and what they said. You can ask for timestamps before every sentence or put the sentences in a table instead of in paragraph form. Or, you may need a file with SMTPE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) time code and frame labelling - something that will be useful if you want to create subtitles or closed captioning later on. 

Do make sure that you and your Tasker are on the same page regarding the transcript format. This helps minimise any errors or miscommunications during the process. Some Taskers may transcribe as they listen or watch, while others may go through the material once before transcribing. In general, experienced transcribers have techniques that help them go through your material accurately and quickly. They’ll also have a good idea of how long it’ll take them to transcribe your files, so you’ll know when to expect their output. 

Proofreading the transcript

When the Tasker is done creating the transcript, they’ll proofread it, checking it against the source material as well as your directives. A good transcriber will prioritise accuracy over speed. 

After checking the transcription, your Tasker sends the transcript to you (virtually or in-person). You may also request that they return the source materials or delete the files from their computer if privacy is a concern. 

Once you’re happy with the finished transcript, you can inform your Tasker, pay them, and thank them for a job well done. 

Administrative services

If you’re using our transcription services to help you run your business, you can also get other kinds of assistance through Airtasker! You can use our platform to request help with accounting, document administration, data & analysis, and different types of admin work. Just like with getting a transcription service, all you need to do is fill out a task post and wait for available Taskers to send an offer. You can even indicate your location if you want someone to help you out in your physical office instead of just virtually.