FAQ

 How soon can I get my transcripts?

We provide high quality, affordable transcription services to you with your deadline in mind. We have standard, rush, next day, and same day service, all of which are priced very affordably. Because of our large staff of transcriptionists we typically can meet almost any deadline without any problems at all. All transcripts are sent back to you via email as Microsoft Word documents.

What format of audio will you transcribe?

We will work with almost any format as long as it can actually be transcribed! Most transcription services today deal strictly with digital files. If you happen to have video tapes, microcassettes, cassette tapes, or DVDs, we can still transcribe these for you. We highly recommend digital files because it saves you both time and money and will result in a quicker turnaround for you. Transcription services today, including Verbal Ink, have to convert your audio into digital format before we actually transcribe it.

Why are digital recordings so great?

Digital recordings are not only crisper and cleaner than analog audio (tapes), but will also save you both time and money by essentially eliminating the need for tapes, storage space, and shipping. All of your files can be stored and catalogued electronically and sent almost instantaneously to us for transcription.

How can I get the best recording possible?

One of the best ways to guarantee the best possible audio quality is to eliminate background noise and make sure that the speakers are in close range of the recorder. Buying a simple external microphone can also drastically improve the sound quality. This will also lead to a more accurate transcript, not to mention save you money getting it transcribed.

What makes Verbal Ink^SM different from other transcription services?

1. We’re honest. 2. We’re quick. 3. We’re accurate. 4. We publish our transcription rates on our site. 5. All of our friendly employees, staff, and transcriptionists are U.S. citizens.

How do your prices compare to other transcription services?

Verbal Ink has been one of the industry leaders in not only setting the standards for reliable transcription, but also making it affordable.  Gone are the days where you are billed per word or line and then surprised when you get your final bill.  Our philosophy from day one has been to maintain consistent quality and not gouge our clients in the process.  As a result, we've been able to keep our rates low and attract thousands of amazing clients like yourself.

Why charge per minute?

Charging our clients a flat transcription rate for each recorded minute of audio keeps you from getting ripped off by page counts, work hours, etc. By publishing our transcription rates, there are no surprises when you get your bill. We want to save you time not just by using our services, but also in finding the transcription provider that is best for you.

How accurate are you?

We guarantee a 98% or higher rate of accuracy with good audio and typically our accuracy is closer to 99%+. We hire only the best transcriptionists in the industry and because we do not outsource any of our work overseas, you are always getting native English speakers working on your transcription.  

How do I get my material to you?

From London to New York to L.A., our clients span the globe. You are welcome to upload your digital files to our FTP server or mail in your audio material to us by filling out our Submission Form. Simply open a new account with us (there is no charge to do this) and you'll be up and running.

Why are your prices so much lower than other transcription services?

We believe that good business and life is more than just about making money. We’d rather pass savings onto our clients and allow you the opportunity to give back to your community with the money you are saving or better yet free you up to do what you are best at.

How do I know you’ll keep my sources confidential?

We take great measures to ensure the highest degree of client confidentiality. Many transcription services will claim that they will keep your material confidential by simply signing off on a standard non-disclosure agreement. This is the minimum requirement and only the first step to ensure your privacy. We not only do this for many of our clients, but we’ve actually put into place strict confidentiality procedures to guarantee that your information will remain private. If your information is private, it’s important for you to ask any transcription service company you’ll be using what procedures they have in place to guard that valuable information.

Where do I mail physical audio sources to you?

Send all physical audio resources directly to us at:

Verbal Ink
2901 Ocean Park Boulevard
Suite 215
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Is there any sort of form or paperwork I need to submit with my electronic or physical audio sources?

Please go to our forms section to download the mail submission form. All projects submitted electronically will be submitted online, eliminating the need for paper. If your files are digital, simply log into your account and upload your digital files to our FTP server.

How often do you bill me?

We can bill you for our transcription services after the completion of each project or keep a running invoice for you and bill month by month. You may pay by credit card or check, but we do require a valid credit card on file for all new clients who choose to pay by check.

How big of a project can you handle?

Because we’ve been in business for many years, we are a rapidly growing provider of transcription services who hire only the best staff and can take on virtually any size project. If you have a high volume project or specific needs, just give us a call or send us an email.

Should I send you my originals?

We immediately make digital copies of all our audio sources we receive. It is advisable to make a copy of your master tapes just to protect yourself from the slim chance that tapes may be damaged in shipping, etc. If you are not able to make copies or do not want to, rest assured that we treat your masters with the greatest of care.

Do real people transcribe my audio?

Believe it or not, the robots haven't taken over yet and because voice recognition technology is still a long ways away from being able to transcribe audio, live humans are actually listening to your audio. They don't like bad audio as much as you do, so we are always appreciative of well-recorded audio sources.