By Cris Mark Baroro
If you’re an author and you’re looking for a way to get your words out there, you might be thinking about having them transcribed. But why? Here are a few reasons why it’s worth it:
You can use the transcriptions as a basis for creating other products, such as audiobooks or ebooks, which can help you monetize your writing even further.
Transcription services can be used to make a more accessible version of the text or translate it into another language.
Transcription is the best way to repurpose your content ideas. Repurposing content is a great way to save time and get more value out of your content assets. It can be as simple as taking an existing piece of content and turning it into a new form—like a blog post or video—or it could be a more complex process, like taking a piece of content and creating new pieces that use the same information.
Transcribing audio is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding jobs that exist. When starting a transcription career, there are some things you should know before jumping in.
Online transcriptionists can use a variety of tools to transcribe their work. If you’re the creative type and like the idea of enjoying the flexibility a remote position offers, but you’re worried about how to get started, try these five tips for success in online transcription.
1. Learn How to Use Your Software
Transcription software is a great way to get your hands on the content that matters to you, when you need it.
The software will automatically transcribe what your audio recordings say into text files. You can then search for specific terms, phrases, and even emotions in the transcriptions. This helps you find exactly what you want without spending hours listening through hours of audio.
Transcription software can also be used for a wide variety of other tasks including:
- Translating languages into other languages (like Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian etc.)
- Cleaning up recordings (removing background noise)
- Making subtitles for videos (YouTube videos, Tiktok videos, conference calls, interviews etc.)
2. Get Comfortable with Your Equipment
Transcribing is a skill that is learned over time. Like any other skill, it requires practice and patience. The first step is to get comfortable with the equipment that you are using. There are many different types of equipment available, ranging from desktop computers to tablets and smart phones. Each one has its own unique pros and cons, but they all have one thing in common: they will make your life easier!
The most important part of getting comfortable with your equipment is knowing how to use it properly. This means knowing how to properly set up your machine, install software and drivers, connecting to the internet, and using the right tools for transcribing audio files.
3. Focus on Accuracy and Quality
Accuracy and quality are the two most important factors in transcription. Accuracy is how close your transcription is to the original audio. Quality is how easy it is for someone else to understand your transcript.
Accuracy can be measured by comparing your transcript to a video or audio recording of the same speech, or by having a native speaker of the language listen to it and tell you whether they think it matches what was said. If they had any trouble understanding what was said, then your transcription may need some work!
Quality can be measured by having other people read the transcript aloud and giving them feedback on whether they understood what they were reading, or by having them read the transcript silently and having someone else ask them questions about it. This will help you find where there are parts that are unclear, so you can edit them accordingly.
4. Transcribe for a Variety of Clients
You can transcribe for a variety of clients, from attorneys to academics to journalists. Offer fast turnaround and professional service at a great price.
5. Be Flexible
When you’re working with a transcriptionist, they don’t want to hear “no” — they want to hear “yes.”
So, if you’re going to be flexible with them, it’s important to make sure that you’re clear about what you need. If you send them a script that has no room for error and requires them to transcribe something that might not be possible, it’s going to be a huge waste of time for both of you.
It’s better for everyone involved if you’re able to communicate clearly about what your needs are and how much room for error there is in terms of the content.
The tips above may be a good place to begin your quest for success. They won’t guarantee an easy road, but they should help you avoid some common mistakes along the way. And if you want to get started right away, you can sign up for a free with VEED Online Transcription and transcribe for real clients, without any commitment.
Cris Mark Baroro works at VEED.io as a SEO outreach specialist.
