Only some Internet users have come across the concept of Transcription, but at the same time, freelancers manage to get quick money for it. The demand for the service is growing, so let’s take a closer look at what it’s all about, how to use it and monetize it.
What is “transcription,” and who does it?
At its core, Transcription is a simple task in which you need to translate audio to text. There are options for transcribing voice data, including technology and humans. In the first case, a special application configured for the required format recognizes the text. A more familiar way is when a person works.
A transcriber is a specialist in transcribing video or audio files into text format; this can be considered a professional activity because the best speed and quality of work comes with practice.
The skills of a transcriber should be hearing, good knowledge of the language, competent speech, and the ability to type words quickly. There are many advantages to this type of activity – improving memory, speech technique, perseverance, and patience.
There is an analog that was more popular some time ago. Shorthand is a type of sequential writing expressing an audio track. But these are only similarities since Transcription often does not require abbreviations and has a more relaxed format for recording data (not online).
Shorthand lost its relevance with the development of technology. Typewriters replaced powerful computers, and many gadgets made it possible to make high-quality recordings of necessary materials that could be reproduced repeatedly. Transcription is developing more widely, covering various areas important for life. After all, the printed text, on the one hand, can serve as material for handouts and, on the other hand, as a guarantor of recording the spoken words.
What is the scope of the application?
The popularity of the service is growing. The colossal growth of online products has moved to the space of the World Wide Web, and accordingly, the flow of money has also rapidly flowed there. This means that Transcription also occupies a considerable niche in the Internet space.
But if we quickly unplug from the network, we remember other application areas. For example, when holding an important meeting with partners, the company wants to take advantage of important details; for this purpose, cameras or a voice recorder are turned on, and the recording can later be transcribed. If necessary, meeting minutes are created and certified by both parties.
A recording always accompanies court hearings and other negotiations of national importance. Sometimes, a “translator” of a text is needed on the staff of an organization if this area is part of the activity and the employee can receive full-time work.
However, the Internet platform still leads in the number of requests for reformatting voice into text. For example, you can take the famous YouTube channel. When providing translation of information through special settings, listeners often encounter incomprehensible subtitles. This indicates the imperfection of recognition programs, the results of which are only sometimes useful.
The professional classic approach of the transcriber involves recording not only sentences but also roles, timing, and special inserts if they complement the footage. Without seeing the video, the reader must experience all the stages of stops, breaks, the inclusion of pictures, and the analysis of roles.
Such options can be intimidating for beginners, but this is only the first impression. Further delving into the process, it becomes clear that everything is simple. And after just a few practices, the performer understands the concept and increases speed.
The main activities can be grouped as follows:
- Formation of documentation. Translation of business meetings, meetings, and employee calls.
- They are working with subtitles. Many sites want text to accompany their content. The transcriber’s task is to fall into the logical structure of the video.
- Convert audio and video. The widest niche in which many areas flow: training courses, blogs, and more.
If we move away from the importance of texts, then even the most meaningless recordings on a dictaphone can be translated into text.
What types of transcription software are there?
Many people are wondering how soon automatic Transcription will displace living people from the market. Will this profession disappear, and with it income, and is it worth delving into this activity at all? Let’s debunk some of the myths about omnipotent neural networks. There are a lot of auto translators, and you need to send a request to a search engine. But their quality leaves much to be desired. In this case, either the sites charge a large commission for registration or issue a limited amount of text in terms of timing (this can be from 500 to 2000, up to 4000 characters).
There are two worthy services:
Transkriptor, which recognizes speech very well.
Speech Api Google, Google development, is built into the voice assistant of the main portal. It can be integrated with your developments; it is important to take into account only the principles of merging systems. It offers the user exactly one hour of free access.
Such sentences can be strong in the text part, but with punctuation marks everything is much more complicated. At best, they end up in the wrong place, using an auto program; at worst, they don’t exist. Speaking of lists that need to be embedded in a document, the auto-assistant is not at all suitable. The question arises: what is faster: run the decryption into a neural network and then modify it manually, or initially do it manually, without edits?
To understand where to start, decide whether you have all the means to carry out Transcription.
- Smartphone or computer, video player (or audio). Here, any options you are familiar with will do. The main thing is that they read different files.
- Text editor. Required for checks, it is better to check block-by-block to move sequentially through the text.
- When requesting subtitles, the Notepad application is possible.
- And, of course, headphones. However, their place is possible at the beginning of the list as the main attribute.
We agree that the list is simple. Therefore, every literate person is able to take on simple, paid work. Remember that in colloquial speech, there are many filler words that the automatic transcriber will constantly stumble over. The clarity of the recording, a quiet voice, extraneous noise, and interference are all factors that are worth paying attention to.
This means that machines will not replace manual labor, and transcribers will always be in demand.
How can you earn money?
The main platforms for performers and customers are, of course, content exchanges. No topics or directions exist, so anyone who is interested can get a job there. Another option is to create your own service website and run advertisements in several network sources.
Summing up
Transcription is a useful and in-demand service. Try to find your niche and train your speed. You can find a company that will accept you as a freelancer or even hire you as a staff member. If you still come across offers of shorthand, do not be lazy to clarify whether the customer needs transcribing; many call the service that way in the old-fashioned way.
Decide on the average price for your skills and balance it depending on your own experience.
The most ideal option for interaction is private contact outside of platforms and registrations. But these are usually recommendations. Therefore, gain experience and monetize your work.
