We have gone through 12 of the most common frequently asked questions (FAQs) about transcription outsourcing:
What does transcription outsourcing mean?
Outsourcing transcription means using a third-party to provide support for your transcription projects when needed.
How do you know if an LSP is a transcription supplier?
You will often know if an LSP is a transcription supplier as they should advertise it in their content, in their marketing and on their website.
Why should I use a transcription supplier?
If you are having inconsistent months in terms of projects and scale of work, transcription suppliers are perfect here. Therefore, you won’t burn out your project managers, nor the costs of an expanded team when you have quiet months.
What size of transcription suppliers should I use?
If they are a large LSP, they are probably a competitor. If they are a small one, they may not have the capacity to supply the scale of work you need when you are very busy. A medium-sized LSP a healthy balance of scale without being a competitor.
When should I use a transcription supplier?
You should use a transcription supplier when you are very busy and can’t sustainably deal with the scale of work coming in. Or, if your project managers appear burnt out.
Should I use a transcription supplier or hire more staff?
This depends on your situation. Suppliers suit inconsistent weeks and months where there is more work than you are able to complete internally. If you are consistently full of work, you should employ more full-time staff.
How do I ensure quality when outsourcing transcription?
When outsourcing transcription, quality can be ensured with service level agreements (SLAs), accuracy benchmarks and strong quality assurance processes.
A good transcription supplier will have documented QA checks, experienced linguists, and a clear process for feedback and revisions if standards aren’t met.
How quickly can a transcription supplier scale up or down?
A transcription supplier should be able to scale capacity up or down quickly based on your workload. This flexibility is one of the main benefits of outsourcing, allowing you to handle peaks without long‑term staffing commitments.
Is outsourcing transcription secure?
Yes, outsourcing transcription is secure, provided you work with a professional supplier. They should have GDPR-compliant processes, NDAs in place, secure file transfer methods and access controls to protect sensitive audio and transcripts.
How do transcription suppliers price their services?
Most transcription suppliers price their services per audio minute, hour, or by turnaround time. Costs typically vary based on complexity, audio quality, number of speakers, and deadlines. Transparent pricing helps you forecast project margins accurately.
Can transcription suppliers handle specialised or technical content?
Many transcription suppliers can handle specialised content, such as TauRho Transcribes. It’s important to check whether your supplier has experience in your specific domain, such as legal, medical, media, or corporate content, and whether they can source linguists with the right subject‑matter expertise.
What turnaround times can I expect from a transcription supplier?
Turnaround times from a transcription supplier depend on volume and urgency. Communication is key so you are on the same page. A good supplier will clearly outline standard and expedited options and confirm realistic delivery timelines upfront rather than over‑promising.
Will using a transcription supplier affect my relationship with end clients?
When managed correctly, transcription outsourcing should be invisible to your end client so it shouldn’t impact relationships. A strong supplier works as an extension of your team, maintaining your standards, branding and client expectations.
To explore TauRho Transcribes as your transcription supplier, get in touch today.
