When people hear the term “podcasts,” they picture a purely aural form of content. However, what most fail to realize is that podcasts can be so much more. With transcripts from Gotranscript Services, the recordings can reach a whole new level of exposure. People who haven’t had a chance to discover a podcast will have a higher chance of stumbling upon it through a simple Google search.
Let’s Talk About Podcasts and Transcripts
There’s a joke amongst the podcasting community that everyone, including your grandmother, has a podcast now. While that might be an exaggeration, no one can deny that this is a fast-growing industry. Brands are hopping onto the trend, and so are Hollywood celebrities.
So how do you, as a regular Joe, stand out in this increasingly competitive arena? Besides producing powerful, engaging content, you’ll want to think about transcriptions.
The Most Popular Podcast Transcription Methods
Source: resonaterecordings.com
In a nutshell, there are three main routes you can take to produce podcast transcripts. Some are more economical, while others produce better quality results. Weigh their pros and cons against your needs, and you’ll figure out the most suitable method for your podcast.
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Doing it yourself
If you’re a quick typist and have excellent listening skills, this is a route you can take. You’ll find this method appealing if you create your podcast based on a script. All you need are good headphones and a text editor as bare essentials. However, throwing in a transcription foot pedal will make things move faster. The upside of this method is obvious: it’s basically free. Nonetheless, it does take quite a bit of patience, effort, and time on your part to transcribe podcasts on your own.
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Using an automated transcription tool
An automated transcription tool leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to convert spoken audio into text. This technique is great for crisp, clear audio. It also helps if there’s only a single speaker on the podcast, as most of these tools produce transcripts that appear as one long paragraph. Aside from that, accents and industry jargon will bring the quality down, so take note of that. It’s always good to test a tool prior to subscription.
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Engaging a human-transcription service
At the outset, a human-transcription service probably seems like the most expensive method of the three. However, what you’re getting is a transcript with an accuracy level that’s close to 100%. Therefore, you won’t have to perform any quality control checks. The completed transcript will come with speaker identification and non-verbal communication, such as laughter, applause, etc. (if you so choose.) You’ll want to select this course of action if your podcast is conversational, industry-specific, and features speakers with accents.
Do Podcast Transcriptions Really Matter?
Source: unsplash.com
You might feel that transcriptions aren’t crucial for podcasts. After all, if listeners can make out what you’re saying, that’s good enough, right? You couldn’t be more wrong. Here are some reasons why you should get your episodes transcribed.
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Podcasts Are Getting More Popular by the Day
The Infinite Dial 2024 from Edison Research reports that more than a third of Americans consume podcasts regularly. Additionally, almost half of the listeners are in the 35-54 age group. The numbers are rising quickly, and it isn’t just in the US. Globally, people are ditching regular radio stations and tuning into podcasts.
As these figures increase, so does the number of listeners with issues that prevent them from fully grasping the podcasts’ content. Transcripts will reach out to these people and lead to an audience expansion. Plus, it won’t hurt a podcaster’s reputation when people notice the inclusivity effort.
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Transcripts Do Wonders for Organic Traffic
An audio file you upload onto the web isn’t doing much for organic traffic. The many keywords you include in your podcast episodes won’t count toward your SEO strategy. However, that will change when you have transcripts with your audio. Now, the keywords will matter, and anyone who searches for the phrases in your transcript will see a link to your podcast on the search engine results page (SERP).
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Podcast Transcripts Are an Opportunity for Brand Growth
Your podcast might be popular among certain groups, but without transcripts, you’re not tapping into the entire market. Transcribing is a chance to market your brand to those who are hard of hearing. WHO reports that close to 20% of the global population lives with some form of hearing loss. It’s time to provide them with accessible content.
Source: unsplash.com
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Some People Just Prefer to Read
Aside from people with hearing disabilities, some simply prefer reading content. Others like listening to a podcast and reading through the transcript simultaneously to reduce distractions. It’s worth noting that this latter group will definitely be more engaged than the rest.
Coincidentally, some podcast listeners who are new to your brand might want to skim through your content to determine if it’s worth a listen. A transcript will allow them to do that easily.
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Transcripts Help Generate More Content
A podcast episode, however long it might be, will include so many worthwhile soundbites. With transcripts, you’ll have an easier time sharing these bite-sized pieces on social media. You can create short clips, Canva-esque images, stories with quotes, interesting interview questions and answers, and more. These types of content all come with a potential for high virality.
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Transcribing Doesn’t Take a Lot of Effort
Getting your podcasts transcribed isn’t rocket science. It’s just a matter of getting words in audio down on paper. As there are many tools and services available to aid your effort, it doesn’t really make sense to put transcription on the back burner. Even if some of them charge by the minute, the benefits outweigh the costs.
It’s Time to Reach the Ranks of Joe Rogan
Source: theguardian.com
If you’ve taken the time to produce a podcast, it’s because you believe you have something valuable to say. Express yourself fully with transcriptions. They’re the best way to expand your audience and gain higher levels of engagement. The more people you can reach, the better it will be for your brand!
