Table 1 - Compensation.
iDictate pays one-half cent per word, with payments made every Monday, but if a payday falls on a holiday, payment will be made on the next business day. Typists are paid through PayPal. Note: you will not be paid for typing test files.
Table 2 - Software.
Many typists download free software called Express Scribe which offers enables them to slow down or speed up the audio, or use a foot pedal. The software can be found at http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/
If you have a MAC , you can download alternative software at http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/software_results.asp?id=1117&os=m.
Table 3 - Communicating with iDictate.
Communicate with the proofer on duty via Chat
Table 4 - Popular Accessories.
You may want to use the following optional tools:
a. Foot Pedal
b. Headphones
Table 5 - File Maintenance/ Security.
Each week, it is imperative that you delete / remove all voice and text files from YOUR COMPUTER.
Periodically, you will be asked to sign a sworn declaration that you have deleted all files from your computer.
NEVER touch the files on the idictate.com website.
Table 6 - Turnaround Times (TAT).
Files designated with “RE” in the file name are Regular files. RU is Rush. And if you see 5 zeros (00000) in the Duration field, the file is Super Rush, which is due back to client within 60 minutes.
Regular files 30 minutes or less, are due back right away.
Regular files longer than 30 minutes in length, are due back the next day, but not beyond 12-24 hours from the time client submitted the file to us (unless indicated otherwise by assignor).
Rush files 30 minutes or less are to be completed and emailed to proofs or uploaded to client (if you are approved to upload) within 2 hours (unless indicated otherwise by assignor).
Longer Rush files are due as indicated by assignor. If there is a different time needed, assignor will let you know when assigned.
NOTE: If you cannot make the deadline, notify iDictate early to determine if more time can be allowed.
Don’t wait until you’re at deadline.
Table 7 - Formatting.
Our clients have requested that their transcripts be formatted as follows. If there is a conflict between these guidelines versus what the individual client requested, always format as requested by the client.
1. Single space your text, with a line between paragraphs. Always put 2 spaces after each period.
2. Left justify everything including the date;
3. Underline the subject.
4. If the speaker says something like “now we’re going to do a letter to the client”, you should write [Client] at the beginning of the document.
5. If the audio says: “This is going to be a letter to client and it’s to the attention of John Doe and it’s about Miller Anderson”, the document would be drafted as follows:
[Client] (on one line)
Attn: John Doe (on another line)
RE: Miller Anderson (on another line)
6. If the client dictated “10/18/2000”, then that’s what should be typed, not “October 18, 2000”;
7. Use 1" margins on all documents. Use 1.25 inch and hanging indent for multi speakers. Use the tab key after the colon of the speaker’s name. For example:
Bob: Hello, and welcome to…
Sam: I’m glad to be here…
8. Some clients will submit templates for their work. In those instances, you should following the formatting in the template. A client with the letter “T” after their name indicates there is a template (example Bob Jones T). If you don’t have the template, please ask...
9. If the client requests Word Perfect and you do not use that program, ask the person that assigned the file to you if you should (a) type the file in Notepad and email it to proofs so that they can convert it to Word Perfect., or (b) return the file so that the assignor can assign it to someone else.
10. Always use Spell Checker and look up words in the dictionary if necessary.
11. If a client requests their files to be in plain text format, type it in Notepad.
12. Do not type the “ahs” and “ums”, laughter, “HA, HA”, etc. Only type them on a deposition if that is their only response. We type in "clean verbatim" on everything except depositions; meaning we do NOT type slang (gonna, wanna) even if client speaks that way. Do not substitute words in the place of what the client is dictating, even if you believe the client uses bad grammar.
13. Some clients dictate the punctuation: commas, periods, paragraph breaks, etc. Most do not. As a professional, you will determine proper placement of punctuation.
14. When typing numbers, the general rule of thumb is:
a. Spell out single digit numbers, such as the number one, or two, or three. Numbers with more than one digit should be typed in numerical form, such as 10, or 100, or 1,000.
b. Numbers that are in the millions should be typed with the number and the word million, or trillion, or billion such as 1 million, or 17 billion.
c. When typing money amounts, do not type out the words, use numeric form, such as $1.00, or $100, or $1,000. However when typing money amounts in the millions, type the numeric number with the dollar sign and the word million, or billion, etc., for example $1 million, $10 billion, or $100 million. It is not necessary to add the .00 denoting cents when typing money amount over $10.
15. When the client dictates that he wants a copy of the document to go to someone, this information is placed at the end of the document as follows:
cc: John Burns
16. You may think the client is saying “This is a Memo to James Moore ray Stevens file.” What he is really saying is “This is a Memo to James Moore RE Stevens file.”
You would type this as follows:
Memo
Date: September 21, 2008
To: James Moore
Re: Stevens file
[Body of Memo]
17. If the client says “Note to file of a meeting held with George and Martha Stevens held on February 3rd at 2:30. You would type this as:
[Note to File]
February 3, 2008, 2:30 p.m.
Re: Meeting held with George and Martha Stevens
[Body of Note]
18. If the client says “ACT Notes of a conversation with Mary Jane and Fredrick Martin…” This would be typed as follows: (each ACT Note will be a separate page) (the date can either be put above the Re: line or below depending on how the author has dictated it)
[ACT Notes]
Date: May 1, 2009
Re: Conversation with Mary Jane and Frederick Martin
[Note to File]
Client Name: Nick Post
Meeting Date: October 12, 2011
Meeting Type: Review
Next Meeting: None set
Relationship Manager: None
Meeting Summary:
[Body of meeting summary]
19. Many clients will dictate instructions/reminders to their assistants, secretaries, or to themselves. To type these, you would bracket the instruction and [bold] it. Also, place the instructions wherever the author dictates it in the document. Sometimes the author will dictate his letter to his client, and then his notes to his admin all in one document. The 4 stars **** means you couldn’t understand what was dictated, even after listening again. If a whole sentence or phrase is mumbled, type [inaudible]. Also, note the format of the headings.
See formatting examples below.
January 23, 2007
[Client] This shows that this first letter is to the client
Joan Wilson
CNA in Topeka, Kansas
Re: Abby Long v. First Southern
Matter I.D. No. 999-9311
Dear Ms. Wilson:
We take this opportunity to write with the status in this matter.
We have received the petition for contribution….
In fact, based upon correspondence to Tracy Aston dated January 1, 2000, it appears that the coverage of **** of Taos, New Mexico may have ended on January 1, 2001.
Counsel for co-defendant has provided us with a printout of benefits showing benefits in the amount of $13,060.11. I am going to contact counsel for co defendant requesting that they provide us with a specific demand to resolve the contribution issue along with a breakdown of the basis for their demand.
RECOMMENDATIONS/FURTHER HANDLING:
1. Please contact me to clarify the period of coverage.
2. Please provide me with a printout of all benefits paid in this matter.
3. We are contacting counsel for co-defendant requesting they provide us with an itemized demand to resolve the contribution issue.
We will keep you advised of any significant events occurring in this matter. In the interim, please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Very truly yours,
Mark A. Miller
[Instructions to Secretary: When I say Taos, please make that to be City of Taos, New Mexico.]
(This is the attorney’s instructions to his secretary. Note that this is typed in bold with [ ] brackets)
The attorney dictating may say something like “this is a letter to counsel for co-defendant, or attorney for defendant, or opposing attorney.” This would be typed as follows:
January 23, 2007
[Counsel for co-defendant]
Mr. Mike Mumford
Mumford & Sons
Re: Abby Long v. First Southern
Matter I.D. No. 999-9311
Dear Mr. Mumford:
I acknowledge receipt of your letter of January 1, 2000 along with a petition for contribution.
I have contacted my client requesting a printout of benefits they have paid. Please provide me with a specific demand to resolve the contribution issue. I request that it be accompanied by an itemized breakdown so I can clearly understand the basis for your demand.
I anticipate we should be able to resolve this issue without the need for a formal arbitration hearing.
I look forward to discussing this matter with you.
Very truly yours,
Mark A. Miller
[Bill for this letter .5 and put this file on a 30 day come up]
(Frequently, the attorney will dictate additional instructions to his secretary here. Note that this is typed in bold with [ ] brackets)
20. Candidate Report or Reference Letter This is typed at top
RE: Person being referenced
Introduction Put in bold and space down twice to start body of message
[Body of message]
Career Overview
[Body of message]
21. Example of conference call or multi-speaker files (interview, conversation, etc.)
Try to identify each speaker by name, if possible. If you cannot identify the speaker then use FIRST SPEAKER, SECOND SPEAKER. If you cannot distinguish between the different speakers, you may type NEXT SPEAKER for each speaker.
Sam: My first question, Steve, in am looking at your creative work, are you, as the Creative Director, working at all in the creative process or are you mostly supervising those teams who are doing the work?
Steve: Well, it depends on the project. The projects are like, there are big and small projects, and there is fun and not fun projects. But on most of the big projects I try to involve myself all around…
Sam: Do you think that knowing which medium you’re looking at or media plural that you’re looking at helps direct the creative energy in any way?
Steve: Well, it depends on the project. The projects are like, there are big and small projects, and there is fun and not fun projects. But on most of the big projects I try to involve myself all around…
Sam: Do you think that knowing which medium you’re looking at or media plural that you’re looking at helps direct the creative energy in any way?
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