Transcription services convert audio and video files into readable text. They provide users with searchable documentation that allows them to pursue designated project timelines, deliver dependable customer service and implement business strategies.
However, not all transcription services are created equal. To make the best decision, it’s essential to understand the different types of transcription services available.
Audio Transcription
Transcription is a valuable service that turns audio recordings into text documents as one purpose of transcription in language. It’s used in several ways for podcasts, video captioning, research, dictation, and more. But it’s important to know that not all transcription services are created equal. Different styles of transcription may be more helpful or necessary for other applications.
Market research and user experience (UX) designers rely on transcribed data for various reasons. They can take notes and reference their research in other materials like presentations or reports by converting audio files into readable text. This allows them to create more effective marketing and advertising campaigns based on the insights they have garnered.
Journalists gather extensive audio content through interviews, news conferences, speeches, and lectures. By having transcribed versions of these media, they can more easily create their reports and opinion pieces. Transcriptions can also be helpful for medical professionals in documenting and sharing patient information.
Providing transcribed content can make it more accessible to a wide range of audiences. For example, a transcribed version of a webinar or client meeting makes it easy for people with physical disabilities to participate in the conversation without having to attend the event physically. The addition of transcripts can also help businesses meet accessibility guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act for video and audio content.
Video Transcription
Creating a video transcription of your videos opens up your content to new audiences that may otherwise be unable to engage with your media. It makes your video more accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers, those in sound-prohibitive environments such as airplanes or cars, and non-native English speakers.
Video transcription can be created manually or by using an automated software program to convert the audio into a text transcript of your video. This can include verbatim transcripts, which capture every spoken word, or clean-read transcripts, which edit the audio to make it easier to read and understand. These transcripts can then be synced to your video or used as captions or subtitles.
Transcripts also help you create a more searchable online presence, as the text is rich in keywords that major search engines will pick up and index. This allows your website to become more visible to a broader audience and helps increase the views your video receives.
Video transcripts can also be used for quoting, enabling publications to write about your content without watching the full video and ensuring they are quoting you accurately. When selecting a video transcription service, consider turnaround time to ensure your transcripts are ready when needed. Also, look for a service that can handle background noise, mumbling, accents, and other factors that might come up during the recording of your video.
Written Transcription
Almost all forms of content that are created digitally can benefit from transcription. Transcription converts audio and video files into a written text record that can be referenced anytime. This is particularly useful for making content more searchable, user-friendly, and accessible to audiences with diverse needs. Adding transcripts to videos and podcasts can boost SEO rankings, improve engagement, and even create new revenue streams.
Transcription can be categorized into three main types: edited, verbatim, and intelligent transcription. Revised transcription services focus on delivering quality documents by omitting words and phrases that are deemed unnecessary, excessive, or grammatically incorrect. In addition, accents and other unique sounds are transcribed only if they impact meaning.
In intelligent transcription, transcribers are given more leeway to edit and adjust the transcript to convey the intended message of the recording better. This can involve omitting repeating sentences, eliminating irrelevant information, and changing words to clarify meaning.
Using a well-written transcription service can help brands save time and money. They can then pursue designated project timelines without delay and concentrate on their core objectives. Additionally, transcribed audio and video files allow businesses to review important meetings and discussions. This can help them gain a more comprehensive understanding of the purchasing behavior of their audience and improve their marketing strategies accordingly. Furthermore, accurate transcripts can promote more effective communication between CEOs and team members.
Legal Transcription
Legal transcription turns an audio file or video into a written document that lawyers or other legal professionals can use. This type of transcription typically needs to be word for word, with no paraphrasing or alterations to ensure accurate documents.
Law firms and individual attorneys may require transcription services for several reasons. For instance, they might need to transcribe dictations or interrogations to create legal briefs and correspondence. In addition, they may need to transcribe court proceedings or witness testimony recordings to provide their clients with the most accurate information possible.
Legal transcribing is a highly specialized area requiring extensive experience and legal terminology knowledge. Attorneys must use legal transcription services staffed by highly qualified, experienced linguists who can promptly produce accurate transcripts.
When outsourcing their legal transcription needs, attorneys and other legal professionals should look for a service that offers competitive pricing, secure file storage, high-quality transcripts, and reliable delivery. The best legal transcription services will also be able to offer flexible turnaround times and add-on options that will allow their clients to customize their transcriptions according to their specific needs. This level of customization allows legal professionals to focus on their core business and increase overall productivity.
