Hi Everyone!

I am finalizing my services list, but can't make a decision about offering transcription. My background is I am familiar with one-voice transcription (I would transcribe letters, deposition questions, but not the deposition themselves, jury instructions, interrogatories, etc). I worked for a solo medical malpractice attorney off and on for 6 years. This is the transcription I know - not panels, forums, interviews, board meetings, etc.

I am considering offering transcription and whether it makes sense to outsource any transcription that I myself am not familiar with. However my concerns are:

1) that I can truly depend on the subcontractor va to do the work in a timely fashion, and that I have a back up if they can't. I've heard many VAs say not to outsource something you don't do yourself because the real issue is, if for some reason they can't finish the work, I CANNOT just pick a panel transcription project and complete it - I've never done more than one speaker.

2) that I find a way to ensure that I can pay the sub even if I unfortunately get stiffed. I notice unlike other work, people usually do not get retainers for transcription because sometimes it's hard to tell how long a project is going to take. But I need to get something to ensure that I can pay my sub and on time, even if the company pays ME late or not at all.

I am sure that are ways around both issues with proper planning, and I really want to offer transcription, but want to offer more than what I am capable of. I would really like the thoughts of those who outsource and use subcontractors, especially in transcription.

Thanks!

Caroline

Why not just offer medical transcription?

Hi Moira:

I worked for a medical malpractice attorney, but it was legal transcription. Medical transcription is more about medical terminology and even though I touched on that (considering we were suing doctors ) it's legal/general transcription.

Ahh, then why not legal transcription?

I'll be offering medical transcription (and possibly others as well) since I trained in college for it along with things like bookkeeping and desktop publishing (I went to college for two years to become a medical and legal assistant but have never had the chance to use it).

I am thinking about that. I think I am just trying to reconcile what services I want to offer and to whom. I don't know that my market audience is strictly attorneys (though I do like working with them).

I will have to think about that a little more and really define my market. I think I am afraid that to buckle down and do it because I don't want a site that says (or appears to say) "I only work with attorneys" because while I appreciate having a target market is better, I need to start making revenue NOW, so anyone I can do transcription or support services can be a client.

Caroline, you say that you are finalizing your list. What other services are you offering? Maybe there is something else that you can focus on. You obviously have a lot of experience with transcription, so, could it be that you may have another strong suite?
Wendy Burney

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http://www.anofcextension.com
EHR implementation/support, Computer software training, Medical Billing and Coding

Why not just focus on one-person transcription - so letters, reports, things of that nature? Just because you offer transcription services doesn't mean you have to accept any kind of audio - for instance, I HATE with a passion focus groups, so I don't go out looking for that kind of work and mostly I avoid them, unless it's for a client who I've done other work for in which case I just grin and bear it.

If you do want to offer a full transcription service why not partner with a business offering just this service, rather than use freelancers? For instance, one of my clients is a VA who offers a full service - she's basically a VA PA, if that makes sense - but I do all her typing assignments. It works out really well - she can offer a full service to her clients and she knows that I won't let her down!

I don't do retainers, but I charge per audio minute - this allows me to offer a pre-pay option to clients, i.e. they pay in advance based on the duration of their audio (of course, I also have a quick listen to check if there are any sound issues etc.) and I give them a small discount in return.

HTH

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Bridie's Typing Services
Celebrating 10 years in biz

Thanks Wendy & Birdie!

Wendy: The things I am good at are legal transcription, data entry, database and list maintenance and clean up, website content.

I was thinking about partnering that with general administration (I'm kinda old school - I don't do SEO, copywriting, Social Media) but I also offer business solutions and streamlining (helping clients find smarter ways to get things done)

Hmm, maybe I am not ready to finalize my list, LOL!

Birdie - thanks for the suggestion. That's a great idea!

Caroline

When I worked as an admin onsite, I would do a lot of transcription, from microcassette to phones to digital recorders. I happen to enjoy it and am quite good at it! I've always been good at discerning words and deciphering songs on the radio is a skill I've had since I was a little girl (not that I can put that on my resume, but there you are ;^D). I would love to do transcription at home, but wasn't sure how to charge for it. Per minute is a good solution. Bridie, you don't find that people balk at that, do you?

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&rea and Associates, LLC
"Dedicated to Helping Small Businesses Compete"

No, I find most people love the per recorded minute idea as they know exactly what it's going to cost them.

Wow, I used to "transcribe" songs too.... had forgotten about that! lol

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Bridie's Typing Services
Celebrating 10 years in biz