Podcast Transcription Service

A podcast transcription service can help you develop your online presence and reach a larger number of listeners.

Learn about the advantages of converting your podcast episodes to text and how to choose the best method for doing it in an effective, affordable, and scalable way.

The Benefits Of Transcribing Your Podcast Audio To Text

Does a podcast need a transcript? If you're a serious podcaster, one who creates high quality content that generates and attracts audience, then you need a transcript that will help you get the most out of your content.

A transcript is an awesome addition to your show notes or podcast website. A podcast transcription service will help you repurpose your show and stay organized.

Yes, transcripts cost time and money, but not as much as it used to.

Let's describe the benefits of transcribing your podcast, and how a podcast transcription service can help you reach your goals as a podcaster:

• Podcast transcriptions make your content more accessible to the hard of hearing
• Podcast transcriptions improve your listeners' experience and allow them to easily share your content
• Podcast transcriptions boost your discoverability with Search Engines like Google
• Podcast transcriptions grow your audience by sharing your content on other platforms, such as your website and social networks

How To Transcribe a Podcast

To transcribe a podcast to text, you can

• Transcribe it yourself
• Hire a freelance or use a human powered podcast transcription service
• Use an automatic podcast transcription service

Best Ways To Transcribe a Podcast For Free

You can always transcribe a podcast episode yourself.

Although it's a time consuming effort, it is the most efficient and cost effective approach - and you'll always be satisfied with the level of accuracy.

Another advantage is that during the process, you observe the dialogue as an outsider which will help you improve your future shows in terms of what you talk about and how.

Here's how you can turn yourself into a podcast transcript generator machine (for free):

Transcribe Manually

If you're an experienced transcriber, it won't even bother you too much, especially if your episodes are relatively short. That said, not many of us have the patience, time, or skill.

Transcribe a Podcast With Google Docs Voice Typing

Use Google Docs voice typing feature to generate the transcript for your show.

Here's how it works:

• Use your Chrome browser, go to Google Docs and open a new Document (this tool is only available on Chrome)
• Click on Tools and then on Voice typing - a button with a Microphone icon will pop up
• Click on the Microphone icon to start the recording and then play your show using your DAW

A few important notes when using Google Docs Voice Typing:

• Make sure to place your DAW close to your computer's microphone for it to accurately capture the audio
• Google Docs Voice Typing may stop recording if it does detect any speech, so make sure to skip your intro music
• Google Docs Voice Typing supports many languages and dialects - make sure to pick the right language and dialect for your show
• The generated podcast transcript will include no punctuation nor paragraphs

Transcribe a Podcast With Microsoft Word Online

Use Microsoft Word in Office Online - this technique is similar to using Google Docs voice typing: you "dictate" your show to Word.

Here's a step by step guide:

• Sign in to your Microsoft account, go to Word and click New blank document
• At the top toolbar click Dictate and a small box with a Microphone icon will pop up at the bottom
• Click on the Microphone icon to start the recording and then play your show using your DAW

A few important notes when using Microsoft Word Online:

• If you have a premium account, you can use Transcribe in Word and upload an audio file, instead of "dictating" it to Word. Supported formats include .mp3, .wav, .m4a or .mp4.
• Make sure to place your DAW close to your computer's microphone for it to accurately capture the audio.
• Microsoft Word Online supports many languages (no dialects though) - make sure to pick the right language for your show.

• The generated podcast transcript will not include paragraphs, just a long text document.

  By default, the transcript will not include punctuation - to enable auto-punctuation, click the Cog icon next to the Microphone icon and enable it.

Use Your Podcast Hosting Platform

Check your podcast hosting service as it may offer automatic transcription for shows.

If your hosting platform does offer automatic transcription, make sure to find out if it's bundled in your plan or if an extra charge is required.

Use YouTube To Get a Transcript For Your Podcast

YouTube can also be used as a tool to transcribe a podcast - you can use YouTube's auto generated captions for that.

Here's how:

• Upload your file to YouTube
• Wait for YouTube to auto-generate captions (this may take a few minutes or several hours)
• Go to your video's page
• Click on the three dots next to the Save button
• Click on Open transcript which will pop up the transcript to the right
• Now, simply highlight and copy the podcast transcript

Remember:

• If your show is available only as audio, you will not be able to upload it to YouTube. So first, use a tool to convert your audio to video.

Hire Someone To Transcribe Your Show

Although it's the most costly option of all, human transcription will provide the most accurate results. Humans can understand context, speech and intonation better than artificial intelligence (at least for now...).

You can choose between hiring a freelance transcriptionist or use the services of a human-powered transcription agency.
Among the human-powered transcription agencies you can distinguish between those who hire freelancers, and others who employ professional transcriptionist.

In terms of cost, freelance transcribers will usually provide their services at a lower cost compared to transcription agencies. In addition, their pricing is usually negotiable. Agencies will be charging more due to their additional overhead costs.
This is, of course, just a rule of thumb, and you may stumble upon expensive transcribers or low-cost agencies.

Both freelancers and agencies will provide excellent quality transcripts. An agency may have the advantage of a more thorough proofing process that may involve several people reviewing the final transcript, as well appointing the most skilled employee to handle a niche-specific recording.

As for turn around time, although usually a freelance will deliver on time, they are still individuals who fall ill or encounter personal issues that may cause delays. With agencies, you always have the option to pay more and get your transcript faster.

Automatic Podcast Transcription Service

If you ever asked Google, Alexa or Siri for something using your voice, then you already used a speech-to-text service.

Ebby.co is an advanced podcast transcription service that will answer all your transcription and captioning needs.