In this post, I’ll explain why it’s so important to hire the best freelance transcriptionists for your transcription company. I’ll also teach you how to recruit transcriptionists who are highly qualified and have experience.
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Freelance Transcription Myth
When I started my transcription company just over a decade ago, I learned one lesson pretty early on: There are a lot of people who believe that the mere ability to type makes for a good transcriptionist. I had set out to start hiring and was flooded with tons of cover letters that basically said in one way or another, “I can type. Therefore, I can transcribe.” False. Transcription requires a unique mix of skills, including advanced online search methods, detailed knowledge of a variety of language and grammar styles, and mastery of word-processing software features that most people have never heard of. Therefore, the ability to type is pretty low on the list of what I look for when hiring freelance transcriptionists.
“Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything.“
Wyatt Earp
Novice Versus Experienced Transcriptionists
We all had to start somewhere and novice transcriptionists deserve a chance to prove themselves. Additionally, the amount you pay your freelance transcriptionists’ reflects their level of experience, and when you’re starting a transcription company, it is important to keep costs down. However, the benefits of hiring experienced transcriptionists far outweigh the cost savings, especially in the long run. That’s not to say that you should only hire transcriptionists with several years of experience. But you should recruit highly qualified transcriptionists.
Hiring qualified freelance transcriptionists demonstrates to your customers that you are truly dedicated to the highest quality. This will make it easier for you to secure new clients. You’ll also have less turnover because more experienced transcriptionists already know exactly what the job entails and have developed systems to maximize their efficiency. They know what it takes to prevent burnout. And they know what it takes to make a living wage as a transcriptionist. So, they’re less likely to quit on you three months after being hired. You’ll save time as well since experienced and qualified transcriptions require much less training.
Recruiting Qualified & Experienced Transcriptionists
Finding transcriptionists who are good at all of the necessary skills is critical to your transcription company’s success. The good news is there are ways to make sure your company is attractive to qualified and experienced transcriptionists, while also making it obvious to the novices that they might not be ready to work for you quite yet.
- Write a Good Job Description – Make sure the job description you publish clearly demonstrates the skills necessary to perform the work. Make it obvious that your freelance transcriptionists need much more than just the ability to type. Also, make sure your job offer clearly states what the job entails so that applicants know what to expect. If you require a faster-than-average turnaround time, say so. If your audio files are poor quality or contain a lot of accented English, be sure to state those things in your job description.
- Require Experience or Certification – Think about requiring applicants to be certified or offering higher pay to certified transcriptionists. At the very least, require applicants to have some level of experience. This sends a clear message that you are looking for freelance transcriptionists who not only can do the job, but also know what to expect and have developed some efficiencies in their processes.
- Test All Applicants – Testing will weed out anyone who believes that transcription work is just a glorified typing job. More importantly, requiring a transcription test will confirm for applicants that you are looking for professionals who are truly qualified to work for you.
- Pay Well and On Time – When you pay well, word will get around that you’re worth working hard for. Developing a reputation for being a company that takes care of its team will make it easier for you to find qualified and experienced transcriptionists in the future.
- Recruit From the Right Places – Targeted recruiting is the best way to find the best freelance transcriptionists. Industry associations are a great place to find certified transcriptionists. The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has a Professional Directory you can search. And the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers (AAERT) has a Career Center where you can post a job listing or search for freelancers. Additionally, let your colleagues and other transcribers know that you are hiring and ask for recommendations. You can also recruit from social media groups and forums.
- Give Consistent Work to Good Transcribers – Save the one-off projects for your newer or less experienced transcriptionists and reward your more qualified transcriptionists with steady work. Again, word will get out that good transcribers can earn a dependable income working for you, which will make it easier for you to recruit highly qualified freelancers in the future.
Make Sure Great Transcriptionists Find You
More experienced transcriptionists look for red flags when seeking work because their experience has taught them a few things. If you raise any of these red flags, the best transcribers won’t even consider applying to work for you.
RED FLAG #1 You Advertise Low Prices – Transcriptionists with any experience at all know that if you’re selling transcription services for $1.50 per audio minute, you’re paying your transcriptionists less than that. Your freelance transcriptionists should be the largest expense in your business model because they are doing the bulk of the work and the work requires a high-level skill set.
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RED FLAG #2 You are Always Hiring – Constant turnover can signal two things to qualified transcriptionists. One, you’ve given freelancers a reason to quit working for you shortly after being hired. This could be due to low pay, inconsistent work, or a job description that didn’t set appropriate expectations. Two, you primarily hire inexperienced freelancers. As I said in the beginning, people without any real transcription experience tend to believe, “I can type. Therefore, I can transcribe.” This is because that lack of experience results in a lack of understanding what transcription work really entails.
RED FLAG #3 You Advertise “No Experience Necessary” – Experienced and highly qualified transcriptionists are looking for good pay and consistent work. They know that new transcriptionists get paid less, so they also know that a company recruiting inexperienced transcriptionists is likely paying on the lower end of the pay range for transcription work. Experienced transcriptionists also know that good companies reward their best freelancers with consistent work. And companies that recruit freelancers without any experience might not have consistent work to offer over the long term.
Like Richard Branson said, “Take care of your employees and they’ll take care of your business.” Finding experienced and qualified transcriptionists, and treating them right, is the key to your success! Investing in your team is an investment in yourself and your company. And you can start your company today with my free guide “How to Start a Transcription Company in 30 Days.” My guide breaks down startup tasks into easy and manageable pieces. It’s also packed with tools, resources, and best practices for getting started. Download the free guide and follow my blog for more tips and resources.
