If you want to know how to properly transcribe an interview, then this article is exactly what you need as we will be looking at the ways to transcribe an interview. Interview transcription is the process of converting a conversation between two or more people into text. It is always a demanding task to transcribe a recorded interview. Depending on how developed your typing skill is, you could take about 4 to 7 hours to transcribe an interview that is about an hour long. It is advisable to take as much time as you need to transcribe, as this will help you maintain accuracy.
Follow the advice below, however, and you’ll greatly reduce the risk of having to deal with most laptop problems in the future.
Tip No.1. How do you transcribe an interview?
Here are the seven steps to follow if you want to transcribe an interview from start to finish;
Step 1: Listen to the full recording before transcribing
It is not advisable to start the transcription process without analyzing the recording’s complexity. So before you dive into transcribing, ensure you listen to the recording end-to-end.
Step 2: Calculate how long it will take
Before you start transcribing the recording, you need first to calculate the time it would take you to get it done. If you have a typing speed of about 50-60 words per minute, then it would take you around 4-6 hours to transcribe a recording of 1 hour.
Step 3: Pick the right tools
After calculating the time needed, you need to select the right tools to use. These tools should include an audio player, a word processor, and headphones. You could opt for a foot pedal if you want it.
Step 4: Transcribe a draft
After you must have selected the right tools, you can then load files onto your preferred transcription software and begin the process.
Step 5: Use shortcuts to save time and Find and replace the place holder text
There are ways that you could use to save time while typing your draft transcript. These include the use of time codes, placeholder texts, and the auto-correct feature.
The next step is to add the speaker names (all you need to do is “find and replace” the placeholders you added initially with actual names).
Step No.6: Proofread
When you are done with your first draft with time codes in place, proceed to replay the audio from the start and proofread the entire file.
Step No.7: Format the document
The final step is formatting the document. This could include adding paragraphs, headers, titles, or adjusting the font size.
Tip No.2. What is the easiest way to transcribe an interview with an audio converter?
Use Google Docs to transcribe the interview
Open up Google Docs on Chrome and click on the “Voice typing” option, which is located under the “Tools” section. After doing this, you will notice that the voice typing button is now available, click on it and start reciting the interview as you listen to it on your headphones.
It is very easy to find the voice typing option, but you should ensure that your microphone is turned on. You can now proceed to select your preferred language, then click on the voice typing button and begin your narration.
Now, there are some negatives to this whole process. Firstly, if you want to transcribe a 40-minute interview, it will take no less than 40 minutes to complete the process. You are also faced with the problem of time stamps and accounting for various speakers. Also, the accuracy of the transcription may vary depending on the language.
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Tip No.3. Outsourcing to a Transcription Agency
It is possible that you would be faced with a recording that is in a foreign language, or you might not have the time to transcribe it yourself. At this point, if you still want the transcript to be of high quality, then you should consider outsourcing to a transcription agency. The following are some of the transcription agencies you could opt for;
Rev
Rev offers an accurate and cost-efficient transcription that makes it less stressful to transform your recorded file into a usable format. They are known for their easy editing, top-notch accuracy, affordability, and quick turnaround times.
Scribie
Scribie is another top-class transcription agency that offers a reliable transcription service with accurate results, but its pricing structure and interface could be tweaked. You could also choose to utilize their free and automated option.
This is another transcription agency that boasts of delivering high-quality transcription services. They utilize humans who work as freelancers to transcribe your content and deliver excellent results. Although they lack standard features like a web editor and its fees can add up quickly, they manage to offer good turnaround times. They have a mobile app, and you also get a free trial.
Conclusion
Transcribing an interview is usually an exciting process, but it can feel stressful if you are new to it. During your initial stages, it could take you up to a day to transcribe an interview, even if the file is totally clear.