I just got my first testimonial from my first client! (If you haven’t noticed, its displayed on the right sidebar.)

It made me all warm and fuzzy, and more importantly, hopeful.

Getting testimonials from clients is one of the most important things you can do in your freelance career or online business.

It’s free endorsement from a happy client.  It’s the most effective social proof.

Here’s what I did to get my first testimonial from my first client.

Over-deliver: I simply did more work than was expected of me. I was tasked to edit translation works.  But, when Jes asked me to help her find more translators I didn’t hesitate.  I posted about the job on one of my websites.  I emailed to a Yahoo! group where I knew there were people with the requisite qualifications.  Two people actually contacted me right away.  I then wrote to them explaining more about the job and then gave their names to Jes for her to decide whether she thinks they were up to it.

Ask: The best way to get what you want is to ask.  And, that I did.  I’ve been following quite a number of blogs on freelancing and one thing they tell newbies is to get testimonials. I simply asked Jes if she could be so kind as to give me a testimonial.  Just like that.  She did.  Not only that, she gave me a bonus.  Add 2 hours to your invoice she told me!

So, there it is.

Getting testimonials is easy when you over-deliver and ask for one.

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The reason behind providing transcript of a podcast or a video on one’s blog is two fold – providing your readers an alternative means to consume your content while optimizing your blog for search engines.

Readers who want to skim through your content are given the choice to do so; instead of subjecting them to listen to the whole of your podcast.

Search engines index your transcript (or blog post) and rank your page in order of what it believes is most relevant.

Hence, it is very important to optimize your podcast transcript for search engines to drive more traffic to your blog.  This can be achieved with little or no effort.

Below are a few suggestions:

SEO Optimized Headline

Many podcast bloggers fail to optimize their podcast headlines.  It doesn’t have to be clever or over the top.  Keep it relevant and descriptive.

Take for example this headline Podcast: Donna Spencer on Geek Girl Blogs.

I’m sure there is a better way to writing the headline.  It is an interview podcast so Podcast Interview with Donna Spencer is relevant and descriptive.  If the person interviewed is considerably well-known and you want to capitalize on their name!

Other alternatives -

Donna Spencer on How to Organize a Conference from an Experience Design perspective

Donna Spencer on How to be a freelancer & balance work & family life

My point is, there are many ways to write a headline.

If your podcast blog is about interviews like BlogcastFM then Podcast Interview with Donna Spencer might be good enough.  If your podcast blog is about freelance and business, you might want to try Donna Spencer on How to be a freelancer & balance work & family life.

Podcast transcripts don’t have to be verbatim

Most transcription service providers will transcribe audios or videos verbatim.  That is, they will type up whatever is recorded on the audio or video including filler words like ah, um, etc. Although it’s a sign of a good transcriptionist, that is not your objective.  You are not publishing your podcast transcript to show the world how accurate your podcast transcription provider is!

Podcast transcripts need not be verbatim.  It is important to realize that you can edit the transcript and make necessary changes. That’s the basic premise for optimizing podcast transcripts for search engines. Remember, as your spoken words are reproduced as written words some paragraphs may be too long, some  too vague, etc.  Get to the point – your readers will appreciate it.  The best way is to almost summarize your podcast! If you are utilizing the services of a transcription provider you should instruct them of your needs.

An exception would be an interview podcast – even here I would filter out filler words and false starts.

Keywords

Are your targeted keywords appearing too often or not? Where are they most prominent?

The best way to optimize podcast transcripts for search engines is to incorporate relevant and targeted keywords.  These Keywords may be lacking in your recordings as search engine optimization may not occupy your thoughts while you record our podcast.

When speaking we don’t normally use nouns over and over; it is replaced by relevant pronouns.  But if such noun is your keyword, it is wise to change all or some of the pronouns to nouns in your transcript.

For example: Transcriptionistforbloggers.com is my blog.  It is my online shop for selling my transcription services to bloggers or any one who needs help.  It is also an outlet to learn from and connect with others.

The above second and third sentences both start with it.  If need be, it can be changed to Transcriptionistforblogger.com in both instances.

Add relevant headings and subheadings

To signal a change in the topic do provide headings and subheadings on to your transcripts.  They also make it more interesting and easier to read/skim through.

I normally turn away when I see large chunks of texts without any heading, subheading or bullet points.  I bet you do too.

Almost the same thing as above, do format your transcript to good presentation.

Add images

You’ve heard this one before.  Add pictures to your post.  In this case, add relevant interesting image(s) to your podcast transcript. And optimize your images!

Below is what Chris Pearson has to say about How to Optimize Your Images for Google.

Every standards-compliant, Google-sensitive image reference should contain 5 key items:

1. A src attribute specifying the URL of the image
2. A width declaration in which the width of the image is specified in pixels
3. A height declaration in which the height of the image is specified in pixels
4. An alt attribute that describes the content of the image—this is the #1 element of image-oriented SEO
5. A title attribute that contains text to be displayed when the user hovers his/her mouse over the image

So, what are you waiting for?

Is there anything you might want to add?  Does your podcast transcriptionist work with you on these?  Or, do you do it yourself?

photo credit: iancapstick

Related posts:

1. 11 Benefits of Podcast Transcription for Podcast Bloggers
2. DIY: Podcast Transcription (Without Dragon Naturally Speaking)
3. What is Podcast Transcription?

I stumbled across Transcriptionvendors.com today and wanted to know more about working with them.

If you’ve had any experience working with them, please share your experience.

It seems to me like a decent enough place to work on, seeing some reputed transcription companies in their list.

Having said that I have reservations.

First, you have to pay $25 just for the test.

Secondly, to work with them you then pay $250 as regular member and $1,500 as premium member, annually.

Not only that 10% of your earnings through them is paid to them again!

Finally, how is it any different from working for another trancription company if you work through them.

Please share your opinion and experiences with working on TranscriptionVendors.com in the comments below.  It will be appreciated!

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In this age of outsourcing and crowdsourcing, there is tremendous prospect for the work at home types. Freelance work is more attractive than ever before.

As I myself turn to freelance work from being a fulltime transcriptionist I thought it’d be useful if I jot down some thoughts on becoming a transcriptionist.

Read the full article: How to become a freelance transcriptionist

Related posts:

1. How to Become a Transcriptionist – The Ultimate Guide
2. Secrets to a Better Transcriptionist
3. 6 Essential Softwares & Equipments for a Transcriptionist

Podcast transcription is fast becoming very popular.

Not only because some of your visitors will prefer reading, but also because it can maximize SEO for your blog or site.

Depending on how you use, transcripts of your podcasts can maximize your SEO.

• Publish it along with the podcast – some people still prefer reading to listening.  For some people its easier and faster to skim through your post then listen to a podcast.
• Package it as a free report or white paper. Positions you as an expert in your niche.
• Turn a collection of transcripts into ebook – give it away free to your subscribers, you will earn their trust and respect.
• Search engines love new content.  When you publish your podcast transcripts as blog posts your blog is SEO-ed.  Search engine cannot index your podcasts.  While text is easili indexed.
• Your transcripts will be keyword rich naturally.
• Write a SEO optimized heading rich in keyword(s).
• Link to other posts/pages on your blog or outside resources.

Podcast transcription naturally takes care of search engine optimization for your blog.

The only question is – do you want to type the transcripts yourself or outsource to a podcast transcriptionist, who understands search engine optmizing blogs.

Grab my free podcast transcription offer valid till 30 June 2010 and see for yourself!

Related posts:

1. 11 Benefits of Podcast Transcription for Podcast Bloggers
2. What is Podcast Transcription?
3. DIY: Podcast Transcription (Without Dragon Naturally Speaking)

Legal transcription is the process of converting audio recorded dictations into text.

Transcription process involves recording dictations and then typing out these recorded dictations using word processors such as MS Word or WordPerfect.

A transcription is said to be legal transcription if the subject matter is of legal nature.  Legal transcriptions are required by law firms and solicitors on a daily basis.

Read more about legal transcription: What is legal transcription?

This is part of a hub published by Carey on Hubpages.com

Related posts:

1. What is Transcription – The Idiot’s Definition
2. How to get the best deal out of your transcription services provider
3. Types of Transcription

TranscriptionistForBloggers.com is offering free podcast transcription for podcast bloggers till June 30, 2010.

Here is how it works:

1. You send TranscriptionistForBloggers.com your podcast via email at podcast@transcriptionistforbloggers.com with FREE PODCAST TRANSCRIPTION in the subject line.
2. TranscriptionistForBloggers.com will return your podcast transcript via email in 2 to 3 days time after 30 June 2010 (depending on the demand).
3. You then, write back to us with your feedback on the transcript, or simply your experience with TranscriptionistForBloggers.com.

Points to remember:

• Your podcast should not be more than 15 mins.
• Your podcast should be a quality podcast – clear, clean and without recording background noises.
• Your podcast should have a single speaker.
• Please follow the instructions above, or else, TranscriptionistForBloggers.com retains the right to ignore your request.

Why are you offering this free podcast transcription?

Well, to be perfectly honest with you, you don’t know me, yet or what my service is like.  More importantly, I don’t know you yet.

So, this is an effort to connect and build relationships based on mutual understanding and benefit.  For any relationship to survive and be sustained, in my humble opinion, it should be a win-win for all parties involved.

You get a free podcast transcript in return I get to know you.  I think that a fair trade.

If you have any queries or concerns please contact me at carey@transcriptionistforbloggers.com

Related posts:

1. How Podcast Transcription Maximizes SEO
2. 11 Benefits of Podcast Transcription for Podcast Bloggers
3. DIY: Podcast Transcription (Without Dragon Naturally Speaking)

If you’re anything like me, you have searched high and low for blogging tips and how-tos to improve your blog, only to read the same tips over and over again.

One blogging tip Probloggers fail to mention is providing transcripts of your audios or videos. Simply called podcast transcription.

What most probloggers writing about how to blog will tell you include -

Content is king.Content should be SEO-optimized.

Content is for your customers (not other bloggers)

You should repurpose your contents and multiply your contents because search engines love new contents.

You should post new contents regularly and consistently

Have your own product if making money online is a goal for you

etc etc

All these tips on how to blog can be addressed by providing transcripts of your audios or videos.


By utilizing the services of a podcast transcriptionist (hint! hint! me?) you can provide the much needed content (written text) for your blog.  Written text is search-engine friendly and easier to SEO-optimized than MP3s and videos.

photo credit: TarahDawdy

Related posts:

1. What is Podcast Transcription?
2. 11 Benefits of Podcast Transcription for Podcast Bloggers
3. Repurpose Your Videos or Podcasts For A Reading Audience

If you are looking for a work at home job transcription is a very viable and reasonable choice. While you may already have the bare necesities like a computer with internet connection, there are a few more essential softwares to get you started and running.

• MS Office/Open Office:  This is of vital importance as you need a word processor to type the dictations on to.  You may opt for MS Office, which is a paid software or download Open Office which is free.
• Philip’s SpeechMike or Express Scribe: To play the audio files you need an audio player like Philip’s SpeechMike, which is not free or Express Scribe, which is free.
• Email: It is essential to have an email account – for the client to send you the audio files and for you to send the transcripts back to the client.  While there are many options for free email like Gmail, its better if you have one with your own domain, eg mine is careysuante@transcriptionistforbloggers.com.  It looks more professional.
• FTP: While there are client who prefer emails to send and receive audios and transcripts, other may require you to have an FTP server.  Or, they may allow you to access their FTP to get audios and give them the transcripts back.
• Foot pedal: While you transcibe an audio file, both your hands are busy typing so it is essential to have a foot pedal to control the audio player.  It is not possible to listen to an audio and type everything out simultaneously, so the rewind and playback on the player is controlled by the foot pedal without the need for your hands!
• Headphone: You may have a speaker set up with you computer but it is common practice to listen to audios using headphones.

Some more softwares that are really helpful, IMO:

• WordWeb: This is a free software (with a paid version as an option).  The description on the site reads -  WordWeb is a one-click English thesaurus and dictionary for Windows that can look up words in almost any program. It works off-line, but can also look up words in web references such as the Wikipedia encyclopedia.

• CCleaner: This is a free software basically to optimize and clean your computer system.  Although not directly used for transcription, it helps keep my computer fit and sturdy! Download link here.

Are there any software or equipment I missed?  What other softwares do you find essential or useful as a freelance transcriptionist?

Related posts:

1. What is Transcription – The Idiot’s Definition
2. How to Become a Transcriptionist – The Ultimate Guide
3. Secrets to a Better Transcriptionist

Transcriptionists’ main goal is to provide their employer or their client with the most accurate and professional document/transcript possible.

Remember the popular phrase “well begun is half done”?  This is also true for getting the best out of your transcriptionist. As a client you would only want error free transcripts from your transcriptionist.
For a transcriptionist to provide their clients with error free transcript much depends on the quality of the dictation. I’d go as far as to say that 40% of the quality of transcript depends on the quality of dictation.

But what can be done while recording the dictation to help increase accuracy.

Here are some tips for recording a good dictation:

1. Check that your recorder is working: See that there is no technical snag that can compromise your recording.
2. Organize your data before you start recording:  Ensure you have all the necessary notes and in order.  Its quite a tiresome process when a dictation jumps all over the place.
3. Dictate in a quiet area, with no distractions and background noise. So that you voice is the only sound in the audio.
4. Speak clearly. Not too fast not too slow.  Pace yourself.  Don’t dictate too fast just to save time and money as the transcriptionist will take more time to transcribe.  And, you are compromising on quality too.
5. Speak from 6 inches away from the recorder.
6. Don’t rush. Dictate at an even pace and speak clearly.
7. Don’t use abbreviations unless stating what it stands for at least once in the report.

These are just a few tips, there are many more depending on the industry you are working in.

The most important tip would be to work with your transcriptionists so that there is a clear understanding of what is expected so that your documents/transcript will be completed to the highest of standards.

Related posts:

1. Secrets to a Better Transcriptionist
2. DIY: Podcast Transcription (Without Dragon Naturally Speaking)
3. What is Transcription – The Idiot’s Definition