The process of converting audio and video files into text manually by one person can consume a lot of time, effort and money; therefore, many business owners decide to outsource it. So, transcription service providers employ certified transcriptionists to maintain higher levels of accuracy and efficiency. Experienced transcriptionists understand the cultural nuances like accents, pronunciations, and background.
Moreover, it is imperative for the agency to deliver the files in an extension or a format that is specified by its clients. For instance, conversion of data from mp3 or mp4 to TXT or word files.
The main function of transcription service providers is to streamline the business processes so that it can relieve the burden from the company. In this way, businesses leverage their time and money on core business projects. Hence, the priority of the business should be to save costs instead of having an in-house transcription team, which would cost way more.
Transcription Average Cost in South Africa
Nowadays, audio and video files are transcribed for the same price owing to advanced transcription software that allows the transcriber to convert both types of files at the same speed.
In South Africa, top transcriptionists who have made a name for themselves in the industry usually take up to 3 working days to convert one audio file at the price of R10.45.
According to Voxate, transcription services cost in the South African region varies from R1.50 to R2.50.
Similarly, South African Freelancers Association reports that transcriptionists charge R1.5-3.00 per word and 200-300 per hour.However, Payscale reports that transcriptionists earn around R100 on average in South Africa.
From these numbers, it is obvious that transcription services cost varies taking into account factors like reputation of a transcriptionist and requirements of the client.
Therefore, for you as a client, it is pertinent that you understand the market rates and your requirements to go further with the transcription process.
Factors that determine transcription services cost
There are many underlying factors that determine the cost or rate of the service. Those factors are:
Audio quality
The quality of the audio of the video files affects the cost for the transcription. The better the quality, the less you pay as it will take less time and effort to transcribe.
Number of speakers
The number of participants in the recordings will have a direct impact on the overall cost because it’s comparatively harder to identify the speaker. Similarly, if the conversation includes one or two people, it would be way easier to discern which participant uttered what. Hence, according to a rule of thumb, focus groups are charged higher, considering the number of participants involved.
Audio length
One of the main factors that play a key role in deciding your transcription rate is the audio length. If your interviews or recordings are longer in duration, chances are that your transcription costs will increase. So, when you send a 60-minute video recording to a transcription service provider, they will have to type every word in the recording while deciphering the accents and pronunciations.
Accent
Sometimes, accent becomes a deciding factor in determining transcription rates. It is because some accents are hard to decipher and therefore requires more resources. So, be prepared for more charges if your file has an accent that’s hard to identify.
Editing
If you want to have the best results, you can request for another service which is editing. It can save you from many hassles later on. In this process, transcribers spend more time to ensure accuracy while removing the errors and discrepancies from the draft.
Turnaround time
Most transcription agencies look closely into the standard turnaround time to determine the cost of the recording on average. Daily delivery may cost more than R10 for the transcription of one audio since the agency would have to utilize more of its resources to complete the task while meeting the deadline.
Why is it important to choose a professional transcription service?
Apart from the fact that a professional transcriptionist save you from the additional costs that may incur in the future due to poor transcription. Also, the good transcription service providers understand the vision of your business and know how to transcribe the data keeping in view the cultural nuances of local target market.
A good transcription service providers may benefit you in the following ways:
- Gaining additional manpower and resources
- Effective cost-cutting leading to profitability
- Eases the IT teams
- Accurate documents sent to your stakeholders
AfroLingo’s team is highly committed to transform your content according to your cultural needs. With years of experience in the translation and localization industry, it has got certified professionals who will underline every detail to ensure accuracy in translation and transcription processes.
What are you waiting for? Book your package and get your data transcribed with our highly efficient service. For more information, call us now.
