Podcasts are an efficient method of reaching a larger and extensive audience about your products or services. It acts as a voice that can persuade and influence people to be decisive. What if you converted your podcasts into text formats that are easy to read and search to reach a larger audience? At this point, podcast transcription comes in handy!
Table of Contents
What is Podcast Transcription?
Podcast transcription refers to an easy conversion of a podcast’s audio format into a text format. Primarily, they achieve two objectives, including improved convenience and discoverability.
When you post a podcast transcription, search engines like Google can easily index the content of this audio program. As such, search engines have a nicer grip on the show’s content and can then categorize their content accordingly.
Podcast transcription is an all-round solution for both podcasters and their audiences, as it links the audience with shows more closely related to their preferred topics. Transcripts also make your podcast accessible to the hard-hearing audience category.
DIY Methods for Podcast Transcription
Is your podcast a scripted audio scene? Do not worry, that script can be useful. Another workable option can be typing out the recording of your podcast, word-for-word. This requires proficient stenography skills, and if you already have them, it will come in handy.
Unfortunately, not everybody is gifted with such tolerance or skillset, and that is where dictation software hack comes to play.
Dictation Software Hack
Dictation software, like Google Docs voice typing, involves opening the tool’s microphone and letting it listen to the podcast you wished transcribed. This saves you time by typing out your dialogue and executing commands.
As such, this is something you can do on the go, doing other tasks while noting down briefs. And while it sounds hilarious, it is useful in preventing repetitive strain injuries, and it is, of course, preferable than writing.
Google Docs voice typing
To use Google Docs voice typing tool, follow the following steps:
- Launch Google Chrome Browser.
- Go to Google Docs and open a new document.
- Click on Tools > Voice Typing (from the drop-down menu).
- When a microphone icon appears, choose your language.
- Launch your DAW > play the audio file you wish to transcribe.
- Click on the microphone and it will change colors as it picks up the discussion while the text appears on the device screen.
NOTE: Ensure that the audio starts off from where the dialogue starts. Otherwise, anything else (apart from the dialogue you want to be transcribed) will cause the tool to shut itself down. When it is done, you will have many pages with unpunctuated text. As such, you will have to go through the text and check for errors, formatting, and putting in punctuations.
But given the time the tool has saved you of typing the sound word-for-word, it sounds fair, right? And since you are transcribing the podcast into text, you have full control over quality here. Furthermore, it will be like you are undertaking a new job unlike when you are doing a word-for-word transcription.
Other free speech recognition powered dictation tools include:
Microsoft Word 360
To find the speech-to-text tool, launch the app > click Edit (in the top menu) > Start Dictation (in the sub-menu). Ensure that your PC’s microphone is set-up before using the tool.
Apple Pages
To find the speech-to-text tool in Apple Pages word processing app, click Pages > Edit > Speech > Start Speaking. Alternatively, you can launch Mac dictation tool by double-tapping the Fn key (on the keyboard).
Voice Notes
This is a user-friendly tool that can be downloaded to your smartphone, and allows for import and export of audio files, plus sharing them on Google Drive.
Pros of Dictation Software
- Enables you to take concepts fluently and easily.
- Preferable to most than writing down.
- Prevents repetitive strain injury.
- Ability to record tasks while on the go.
- Time-saving.
- It’s easier to make arguments.
Cons of Dictation Software
- Might be hard to note errors in your work.
- Background noise can wreck dictation.
- Learning the commands is time-consuming.
- Still requires editing.
- Might be difficult to match your writing and typing tones.
Video Captions
Video captions are yet another DIY podcast transcription method where you use your audio to make YouTube videos. You can then use the video’s closed captioning to offer a transcript. While I cannot guarantee its accuracy, it works for some people.
Closed captioning (CC) refers to a system that displays text on a screen to make sure that the viewer has a clear picture of what is going on. CC varies from subtitles in the depth of the provided information.
There are several apps available for closed captioning, both free and premium, that work well with smartphones for a seamless experience. Such include ClearCaptions, Subtitle Viewer, and Live Caption. Let’s leave it that on closed captioning.
If you are looking for a free app for making audiograms, Headliner can be a fantastic choice and worth your time. It fits the captioning needs for your podcast transcription. YouTube is go-to video streaming site, which makes it a perfect platform for posting your podcasts.
However, if your podcast transcriptions are SEO-oriented, I recommend you not to fully rely on the automatic captioning from YouTube.
Outsourcing Podcast Transcription
This is a work-around for people who are trying to find an alternative other than doing the podcast transcription themselves. You can transcript your podcast by outsourcing these three options:
- Human transcription.
- Artificial intelligence transcription.
- Human and artificial intelligence transcription.
Let’s take a look at each.
Human Transcription
While tech has brought developments in speech recognition software, human transcription remains the most accurate transcription service. Speech recognition software has shown approximately 12% error rate, compared to 4% in human transcription.
While it takes time to get the work done, human transcription has lots of advantages over speech recognition software. Take a look below!
What makes Human Transcription the Most Accurate Podcast Transcription Method?
- Humans have the ability to filter thro background noise, which produces high-quality audio files, and give accurate results.
- Ability to understand different accents and dialects.
- Human can clearly differentiate between homophones, such as two, too, and to.
- Capacity to recognize any number of individual talkers in a dialogue.
- Does not require a lot of investment as compared to AI transcription.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transcription
Artificial Intelligence and its tech cousins have brought positive transformations in the way tasks are undertaken through automation. It has helped experts and businesses save resources, required time, and costs.
AI has made its way to transcription, not only in courtroom sessions where it used to be common, but also in enterprises. Based on speech-to-text tech, it substitutes the need for manual procedures, like having your assistant take notes of a session. Usually, AI transcription relies on ASR or automatic-speech-recognition.
Why do Some People Prefer Artificial Intelligence Transcription?
- It gives fast results compared to human transcription.
- 88% podcast transcription accuracy.
- Some offer free services.
- Cuts workload.
Before you start celebrating over free AI transcription services, they only will give you half-baked podcast transcriptions. So, if you want best results, go for the premium version.
Artificial Intelligence and Human Transcription
Combining both artificial intelligence and human transcription is the best approach towards achieving better podcast transcription results. While working together, both methods double-check errors and augment each other’s ability for a guaranteed 99% accuracy on transcription results.
Overall Best Podcast Transcription Service
With a pool of podcast transcription service providers on the market, price is the most competitive factor. There are cheap and expensive services, but there are some that balance both quality and price.
Rev stands out as the overall best podcast transcription service on the market. It is reasonably priced and converts your recorded audio into usable text formats at $1 per minute. Other than an extra $0.25/minute for verbatim transcription or timestamps (every thirty seconds), Rev has no bulk rate, penalties, or additional cost for faster delivery.
The most popular Rev option is its Shorten Turnaround, a self-proclaimed 3x faster than normal pick for files over 30 minutes. Note: Rev has no free trial.
How does Rev Work?
Sign in with your email address > Transcription Page > click Get Started button. Alternatively, you can go to the account section > click on Place New Order button. You can either paste a link to a public website address or upload a file directly.
When the order is verified, Rev sends an email to your inbox and a follow-up message when the company starts working on your assignment. Rev offers a $10 discount on your initial order, and you can access your completed transcript through the View Transcript button. For ease of exports, make sure you link Rev to your Dropbox account.
Does Rev have a Mobile App?
Yes, there is a mobile app for both iOS (last update – Oct. 2016) and Android (last update – 2014).
Rev Pros
- Reasonably priced.
- Premium accuracy.
- Quick change times.
- Easy editing.
Rev Cons
- Average dashboard.
- No subscription models.
Other Podcast Transcription Apps
While doing podcast transcription on your own is tedious, using apps or software automates the process making it easier and fast. Here are five best podcast transcription software or apps that will help you reach your content to a larger audience.
Costs $10/hour and designed to increase audience number by augmenting search engine’s SEO optimization. The media player also helps the search engines to crawl through and index content as you transcribe.
Its AudioText Editor allows you to edit audio fast by making changes to the transcribed text. The app’s integration with Adobe Audition lets you edit audio files immediately after they are transcribed.
Pros:
- Automated transcription services in multiple languages.
- Easily recognizes different speakers in a dialogue.
- Allows text editing.
- Excellent range of export file formats.
Cons:
- Standard package has no automated translation.
- Average customer support.
Costs $1/minute and has over 10k clients making it the largest platform for podcasting audio to text. It has high-skilled pros to perform transcribing tasks and ensures different speaker’s voices are transcribed separately.
To facilitate accuracy, GoTranscript employees proofread the transcribed texts.
Pros:
- Effective four-step transcription procedure.
- 99% accuracy.
- Accessible translation services.
- Efficiency in both marketing and education reasons.
Cons:
- No text editing option.
- Can take some time.
Costs $44/month with an easy process that completes with a few straightforward steps. This web-based software only requires you to upload your audio or video file and transcribe them to text which you can later edit.
It supports file extensions such as SRT, TXT, and DOC, and your data is protected by Trint’s ISO 27001-certified data management. As such, only you can access the data.
Pros:
- Quick transcr
- iption process.
- Handy Trint Editor.
- Integration via Zapier.
- Multilingual transcriptions (27 different languages).
Cons:
- Costly.
- Limited trial period.
Costs $0.10/minute and includes robust voice to text tech that transcribes your podcast episodes accurately. The tool enhances the content’s visibility and SEO optimization for search engines. To activate this option, go to the Dashboard > Integrations.
Pros:
- Auto-transcription process.
- Downloadable PDF files.
- Podcasts can be transcribed regardless of their date of upload.
- Works with YouTube Republishing feature.
Cons:
- Limited transcription editing abilities.
- Audio transcriptions are included in the monthly bill.
Costs $30/three hours of transcription/month. Happy Scribe offers a straightforward and swift method of podcast transcription. The web-based app uses over 100 languages and transcribes both video and audio files.
When you upload your file(s), and use the app’s Interactive Editor to correct possible mistakes after the file is transcribed. It supports several file formats, including DOC, PDF, VTT, SRT, TXT, XML, AVID, STL, and Premiere.
The app has a feature called Proofreading Helper that lets you spot sections with errors before you share it.
Pros:
- Works with API integrations.
- Multilingual options.
- Includes the Embed Player that is compatible with any site.
- Straightforward creation and management of teams.
Cons:
- Quality of accuracy relies on the video or audio’s recording quality.
- Low price to performance ratio.
Google Podcast Transcription
Google has a Podcasts app that has currently shown increased discoverability by auto-transcribing shows. This allows users to search for specific episodes without the need to recall the episode or podcast’s title.
How is this a good thing? In figured you would ask this question, and I have a short answer. One challenge that podcasters have faced for a long time is discoverability. This factor is useful in attracting new audiences and growing your visibility among ex-listeners.
This formatting is workable as fragment of a content marketing approach.
5 Podcasts with Transcription
Here are five out of the many podcasts that use transcription in the right way:
It has been transcribing its podcasts for almost four years now. The transcriptions are smooth, easy to read, and divided into different acts of the episodes. The guests’ paragraphs are indented to differentiate them from those of the host (Ira Glass).
S-Town is almost similar to This American Life, and includes all the qualities you would expect from an established brand. The podcast has a stunning landing page that guides the audience to scroll down for more chapters. Each transcript features the full name of the speaker whenever they appear to avoid backtracking.
Sarah Enni hosts a show that interviews some of the paramount writers in the KidLit and young adult groupings. Every transcript includes links to the work of the author, as well as other useful resources. These podcasts feature a searchable spreadsheet to help you find what you are looking for easily.
They have sold over five million copies in forty different languages, giving the podcast a major accomplishment. Freakonomics has a very clear transcript. Quotes from guests are positioned in easily consumable boxes. You will also see a list of extra resources regarding the episode at the foot of each episode page.
Are you willing to know more about the UK and London? Then Luke’s English Podcast is a resourceful site. Luke Thompson, the host, also provides all kinds of fun facts and informative bits of the English dialectal.
Though it is a learning platform, you can also question yourself after reading the transcript.
Free Podcast Transcription
Many podcast transcription software are premium versions, though you can find some low-priced but totally worth your money. However, free podcast transcription is also accessible, such as Google Docs, and it provides accurate transcription results.
Other free podcast transcription tools are:
This is a free, open-source, and web-based program with a user-friendly that allows to control both the audio player and text editor under the same window. You can also control everything from your keyboard, plus interactive timestamps for navigating the transcript.
Another important feature is an automatic progress saver, and it also lets you adjust the keyboard shortcuts so you can modify it to your transcribing design. Note: OTranscribe only saves your project in the RTF file format, but you can copy and save it in any other format you wish when transcribing is done.
Another popular tool designed with professional transcribers in mind, Express Scribe can be freely installed on a computer or Mac. It gives you complete control via your keyboard by connecting it to a foot pedal.
The tool is user-friendly and has variety of hotkey controls for improved speed and performance. You can also opt for the premium version that includes advanced features. Express Scribe lets you fine-tune your file’s playback options to match the speed of your typing.
Podcast Transcription Jobs
One of the work-from-home industries that allows Johnny-come-latelies with little or no transcribing experience is general transcriptions. While the start-up pay can be slightly low, pro transcriptionists can make a round-the-clock salary working from home.
Let’s be honest and realistic, beginning a transcription career can be somehow puzzling and overwhelming. Transcription comes in two types, with requiring training and others that do not. In some cases, purchasing transcription equipment might be a must.
Transcription jobs fall under three classes, including general, medical, and legal.
- General transcription category requires lower barriers in the three groupings, and includes things such as podcasts, Facebook videos, or books.
- Legal transcription category needs expert training so you can have a solid perception of legal vocabulary.
- Medical transcription category also follows the legal case above.
What are the typical requirements for podcast transcription jobs?
- Specific typing speed (60+ wpm) without errors.
- High-speed internet access.
- Specific software (industry standard).
- Quality headset.
- A quiet working space.
- Ability to type and sit for extended periods.
Wrap-Up
Hopefully, this article was helpful and your questions are answered. Podcast transcription is a lucrative field if you are thinking about joining that world. Remember, while Artificial Intelligence has transformed all scenes, the best transcription method is merging the two.
Feel free to drop your questions regarding the topic, and we will do our best to answer them in no time. Adios (for now)!
My name is Nate Reiner and I am the editor here at 10Webtools. I have 8 years of experience using 50+ different web tools ranging from podcast, web hosting, email marketing, and much more. I previously managed a team offering support services to a large conglomerate that utilized tens of software solutions. I now run this blog full-time and when I am not reviewing or testing software, I enjoy riding bikes and supporting my clients achieve internet success. You can reach me directly at [email protected]