Time it takes to transcribe an hour

It helps a lot Karen, thank you. I'm getting quicker and think that I'm about average now. Thanks again everyone for your advice and comments.

You're doing fine! and its good you really take time to backtrack. A foot pedal does help a lot! Some clients lay the ground rules and adding those rules (noting background noises, voice clairty, accents, etc) also cuts time into your transcription work. You're not doing so bad, pretty standard speed

Thanks for the question Joanna! and to everyone for their responses. I've recently started bidding on Elance (Joanna check it out - lots of transcription projects), and I wanted to take a stab at some of the smaller transcription jobs. I haven't transcribed in ages, (and very little at that), so when I tested myself I wasn't sure if I was marketable. You all have put my mind at ease. Thanks again!

Thanks for all the information, I've only one transcription per project, as opposed to hourly, etc, and always seem to lose my butt on it.

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the Forums and looking forward to connecting with all of you.

I thought I was crazy until I read these posts. I've done transcription for a while and even though you get better as you do it, it usually takes from 3 to 5 hours to transcribe a one hour audio. I'm so glad I read these posts. THANK YOU!

I do want to ask this question, and you dont have to give me your exact rates but I am wondering what you ladies charge for transcription?? I normaly charge an hourly rate and I'm wondering if it is too high. Per my conversation with a VA on the east coast, I was quoting around $140 for a one hour audio. I included proofing with this as well.

What are you thoughts please?

Warmly,

I do transcription services as well, and I would say you are right on target. For just beginning you are doing great and will get faster as you figure out what works best for you. I tell my clients it takes me 3 to 5 hours to type one hour of audio depending on clarity, number of speakers, how much research I have to put into it, etc.

There are things to consider as well. Sometimes they require time stamps and special formatting which will take longer. I do not do timestamps unless there is an inuadible section then I will timestamp that area if they wish, but that's it. I hate time stamps and won't do them. Of course I do not offer this as my only service and this is not my niche. Just something that I do as an extra service. If you are planning on doing this as a niche then I would imagine you would need to be more open to doing time stamps and special formatting.

I also transcribe files into Excel and the format on those takes a about 2 x's longer than it does on the average audio files. So you will need to keep that in mind for special formatting circumstances. So my one hour may turn into 5 or more hours of transcribing.

Always, remember to double check your work. Edit/proofread it very well when you are finished. I find sometimes when I go back over it there are silly errors that will not look good if you do not edit it before turning it in.

I know many people promise same day or next turn around as well. I do not offer that. I tell them 3 days for more than hour, and adjust that depending on how many audio hours there are. I have other clients that pay on retainer and have blocked time off for them each day and this time is dedicated to them if they send me something on the spot I will stop doing the transcription and work on that project. That's why I do not do same day turn around. Now if I get it done early that's fine, but in that case I usually wait till next day to proof as I find it easier to proof at least the day after with a fresh set of eyes. That's just me though. The point is you need to understand your limitations and set that with your clients in advance.

I have a simple transcription format that I follow for general audio files and supply that to my clients and in it describes my rules and formatting. Best of luck to you. There is decent money you can earn doing audio files if you don't undersell yourself.

Simone,

Are you getting those rates?

Rhonda

I charge "per recorded minute" - I find it's easier for the client as they know upfront how much it's going to cost regardless of the time it takes.

I also find it easier for myself so if I need to take a break I can take one without having to log it each time and then try and work out exactly what time I've spent typing.

Hi Birdie,

I read your post and want to make sure I understand. If you charge per recorded minute, does that mean you charge your clients $60 for a 1hour audio? So your hourly rate would be between $10 and $18 per hour of actual time spent? Is this correct?

Hi Rhonda,

Thanks for your info. I'm glad to know that I am on the right track.

Hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for all your replies.

Warmly,

Hi Birdie,

I read your post and want to make sure I understand. If you charge per recorded minute, does that mean you charge your clients $60 for a 1hour audio? So your hourly rate would be between $10 and $18 per hour of actual time spent? Is this correct?

,

So say I charged someone $2 per recorded minute, it's simply 2 x 60 = $120 - so I would be paid $120 regardless of how long it takes (assuming it took 3 hours to type that's $40 per hour)