If you hate 'em,
verbatim
- Court reporter adage

Some people want their documents to be edited by a competent transcriptionist. Others may be worried that the transcriptionist will change the meaning, so they demand a verbatim transcript. Still other people may stipulate specific criteria.

Competent transcriptionists can edit transcribed documents in a timely manner, immediately after they are transcribed.

To assure that the transcription is edited properly, give the following information:

• The degree to which the document should be edited
• Light touch up
• Comprehensive editing
• Camera-ready copy
• A specific, personal style

A qualified transcriptionist can also edit any other document according to your specifications, including material that was written and/or transcribed by another person.

The editor can determine your cost before beginning the job. If the editor charges by the hour, then the client can specify how much time to spend on the document, or he can specify a maximum amount of time.

Of course, the more time the editor spends on the project the better the final work will be (to a point), but there is no justification for maintaining the editing process endlessly. A good editor will stop when it does not need more editing, no matter how much additional time is allocated.

Editing that is done by the transcriptionist is charged at her regular, low transcription rates. This may offer a significant savings in cost when contrasted with a professional editor. A transcriptionist may charge less than a quarter of the rates of a professional editor.

You can also opt for serious, intensive, professional editing, at four times the hourly transcription rate.

In both cases, the client can opt to limit the amount of time that is spent on the editing, in order to be able to determine his costs in advance.

Even if the client does not opt for editing, the transcriptionist or a second person will review the work before it is submitted. Thus, in all cases, your work benefits from a preliminary check, in order to make your final editing easier.