Updated: Nov 29, 2022
If you are wondering how to transcribe an interview, you have arrived at the right place! In the following post, we will share everything you need to know about the easiest way to transcribe an interview, as well as what alternatives you have while considering an interview transcription service provider.
Interview transcription is the process of turning audio or video recordings into a written format. This can be helpful for business meetings, lectures, and interviews. Interview transcription can also preserve history by converting an oral account into writing. Transcriptions can range from simple word-for-word(verbatim) to a well-grammatically structured sentence, making it more effortless for another person to read.
Interview transcription is an integral part of a business. It allows you to keep track of what was said during an interview so that you can review it later. You can also use transcripts to create training materials for your employees and ensure everyone is on the same page about what was discussed during the interview.
Types of interview transcription
Before you start transcribing, you first need to determine what transcription method you want to use. The best way to transcribe an interview depends on the goal of your transcription. There are two common types of interview transcription, verbatim (word-to-word) and grammatically structured verbatim.
Verbatim transcription
You should type in every word, including pauses and expressions of emotions like laughter, stuttering, and hesitations such as "uh." This type of transcription is primarily used in legal professions or research where details such as what was said and how it was said are essential.
Grammatically structured verbatim
Ensure that every word is written, but without irrelevant fillers such as "Uhm," "yeah," "you know," etc. You can also fix grammar errors, broken sentences, and long paragraphs to make them easier to read. Even though this method is easier to read than verbatim transcription, it loses some information, like emotions, pauses, and hesitations.
What if my audio quality is poor?
The quality of the recording and the experience of the transcriber are both critical factors for getting high-quality interview transcripts.
The quality of your recordings is one of the most critical factors in determining how accurately you can transcribe interviews. If there's less background noise or you've recorded someone speaking softly, it will be easier to get accurate transcription results. The good news is that at Littext, we are experienced in dealing with challenging transcripts, including complex accents too!
However, use a high-quality recorder and record in a quiet place with minimal background noise. Your transcriptions will be more accurate than those done on recordings with lots of background noise or ones where people are whispering into their microphones.
In addition to using good equipment, another important thing that affects the accuracy of transcription is having a transcriber with a lot of experience. That is why hiring professional transcriptionists who have been doing this job for years is imperative. They have excellent listening skills, which help them catch every word that's spoken—even those spoken by people who speak quickly or mumble words under their breath!
Skills required for transcribing an interview
Transcribing is a skill that requires a lot of attention to detail as well as the ability to listen critically. A good transcriptionist must be able to take notes while listening and then write down what was said in a way that accurately reflects the speaker's intent.
It's essential to be able to listen because you'll often hear a lot of information from the person being interviewed, and it's crucial for you to remember everything that they say—especially if you're trying to transcribe interviews for a news story or other writing project. If you don't listen carefully, there's a chance that some of the most essential parts of their story will get lost or confused in your notes.
How to transcribe interviews?
There are three main options if you're looking for a fast and efficient way to transcribe interviews: using audio-to-text converters, transcribing manually, or outsourcing to a transcription agency like Littext.
Using Audio-to-Text Converters or Speech Recognition Software
Speech recognition software can be used to transcribe interviews. One of the most popular speech recognition software programs, Dragon Speech Recognition Solutions, has been found to be accurate in about 85% of cases. This means that the remaining 15% is either partially or entirely inaccurate, which means that there will still be some work involved in proofreading your transcription using this method.
These types of software can cost anywhere from $300 to $1,000 per year, depending on what features they offer and how much training time they require. You can also find free online services, such as Google Voice Typing, if you want to avoid paying anything!
Manual Transcription
This is the most time-consuming option but is generally the cheapest. It involves listening to an interview recording and typing out everything that is said. This requires patience, attention to detail, and excellent listening skills. While it may take longer than other methods, it can be beneficial if done correctly.
Audacity is a cross-platform, open-source audio editor that can be downloaded for free. It includes a built-in text editor that converts audio files into text files. This is an excellent option if you want to be able to edit the transcript later on—you can cut out pauses, add descriptions of what people were doing during each part of the interview, and so on.
Outsourcing to Transcription Agency
Outsourcing is an excellent option if you're looking for a cost-effective way to transcribe your interviews. Outsourcing your interview transcription to a transcription agency can save you time and money. You'll get accurate transcripts quickly, and the fees are usually less than what it would cost to do it in-house.
The first step is determining which transcription service will best meet your needs. There are several kinds of companies, including those specializing in legal, medical, or technical transcription services. You'll want to find one with experience with interviews and an impeccable reputation in the industry.
Littext Interview Transcription Service
Littext's goal is to offer high-quality transcription services, and a big part of that is ensuring that our work is perfect. We have strict quality standards and a team of dedicated and experienced editors, proofreaders, and transcriptionists who work for us. Our quality assurance team checks things often to make sure that our clients are getting the best service possible.
We provide transcription services in the following areas:
Meetings, lectures, seminars, teleconferences, training sessions, focus groups, board meetings, conferences, interviews, media events, TV interviews, talk shows, etc.
If you are looking to get an interview transcription, then you have come to the right place. We offer high-quality services at affordable prices. Our experienced transcribers can help you turn recorded interviews into documents that can be read without you having to spend hours typing them out. To know more check this link Littext | Interview transcription