Subtitling has become increasingly popular in recent years. It helps you reach a wider audience across the globe and that is why companies are investing in subtitling services. But it’s not something you can do in-house as it requires professional skills and tools that can be quite expensive to set up. That is why you need to hire a professional agency.
Whether you are a small or large business owner, outsourcing your subtitling work can help you save time and money. However, there are certain factors that you should keep in mind while choosing the right subtitling agency for your business.
Common Factors to Keep in Mind
Quality
Quality should be your top priority when choosing a subtitling agency. Make sure the agency you are hiring has expertise in different languages and can handle large projects as well.
Subtitling is not as simple as the direct translation of a text from one language to another. It involves various complicated processes like spotting (i.e. managing the timing of a video according to its dialogue), re-syncing (i.e. adjusting the subtitles in case of any discrepancies) and many others.
So, you need to make sure that the subtitling agency you hire has a team of professional linguists who can handle all these processes efficiently without compromising on quality.
You can ask for previous work samples from the agency or visit their website to check out what they offer. You can also read online reviews to assess their quality and experience.
Cost
Many businesses turn a blind eye towards the cost of video subtitling services and end up paying more than they should. The cost of subtitling projects varies from agency to agency, but you still need to do your research and compare the prices before deciding.
However, it’s always good to remember that cheap does not always mean good quality. So, you need to choose an agency that offers you high-quality video subtitling services at a reasonable price.
Usually, before you work with a subtitling agency, you will be required to provide details about your subtitling project:
– Length of the video file
– Number of videos
– Source language of the video
– Language(s) you want the subtitles in
– Deadlines for the project
– Any formatting requirements or other special instructions
Once you have provided these details, the agency will review your project and provide you with an estimated cost and timeline for completion. You can then decide if you want to move forward with the project or look for other agencies that might be a better fit. For example, Translate By Humans provides a free quote and also offers a sample of up to 250 words from and into any language.
Capacity
When choosing a subtitling agency, make sure that they have enough capacity to handle your project. You don’t want them to stretch their resources when working on your project and compromise on the quality of work.
You can ask for references or testimonials from previous clients to get an idea about their capacity and past performance. You can enquire directly with the agency about their staffing and workflow to get a better understanding of how they operate.
For example, Translate By Humans has a huge team of linguists with 5+ years of subtitling experience who can handle large subtitling projects without compromising on quality. Our vast network of professional translators and proofreaders ensures that each project gets the attention it deserves.
Support
Because of the complex nature of subtitling projects, you need to choose an agency that offers excellent customer support. This will help you in case of any emergencies or delays in your project.
At Translate By Humans, we offer 24/7 customer support and provide you with a dedicated account manager who can address all your concerns promptly. So, you can get in touch with us anytime you need help or have questions.
Pay attention to the reviews, and what they say about customer support. When you see something negative in there, it’s a red flag.
Humans not machine translators
This one is super-important. Many subtitling service providers use machine translators to translate the text, which can cause a lot of errors. So, make sure that you choose an agency that uses professional human translators to do the work.
The problem with machine translation tools is that they are not as accurate and reliable as human translators. They might miss out on subtle nuances in the text or make serious errors, which can really affect the quality of your subtitles.
Turnaround time
Do you already have a deadline in mind for when you need your subtitles completed? If so, make sure that the agency you are choosing can meet this deadline without compromising on quality.
The agency should be flexible enough to adjust to your schedule and should be able to provide you with a turnaround time that works for you. Translate By Humans offers fast turnaround times for all our projects, so you can get your subtitles done on-time without having to worry about delays or mistakes.
Specific Factors to Consider
SEO optimised subtitle
If your work might benefit from SEO-optimised subtitles, ask your agency about this. They may have the expertise and tools to ensure that your subtitles are optimised for search engines, which can help you get more visibility and exposure.
Our team at Translate By Humans has extensive experience in SEO optimisation and can help you with all your subtitle-related SEO requirements.
File formats
When choosing video subtitling services, make sure that they support the different file formats you need for your project. Different applications may require specific file formats and it’s important to work with an agency that can provide you with seamless integration across all platforms.
Translate By Humans supports a variety of formats and if you don’t see a file type listed here, you can contact our team to get your requirements sorted.
Text format
Do you have specific ideas about how the subtitle text should appear? Communicate these ideas with your agency so that they can create subtitles exactly the way you want them.
When choosing a subtitling agency, it is important to keep in mind the specific factors that are important to you. By considering things like turnaround time, customer support, file formats and text formatting, you can make sure that you are working with an agency that is a perfect fit for your needs.
At Translate By Humans, we understand the importance of these factors and work hard to provide our clients with the best possible service. By effective use of humans and technology, we keep the price affordable and quality high. So, if you’re looking for an agency that can handle all your subtitle requirements, contact us today!
