Transcription Services for Bloggers » Video blogging

5 Reasons to Have Your Video Blogs and Podcasts Transcribed

Carey — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 04:37:15 +0000

Podcasts and video blogs are great for allowing people to express their ideas, opinions and views in a more natural form with facial expressions and vocal tones. They prevent the loss of such visual and vocal cues like sarcasm or anger, which can be misconstrued in the written form. Despite this, there are still many reasons to have video blogs, or vlogs, and podcasts transcribed.

photo credit: sukiweb

Search Engine Indexing

One huge benefit to transcribing podcasts and video blogs is because in their audio form, content from podcasts and video blogs cannot be found by search engines. By transcribing these, the written form becomes searchable by search engines, thus increasing the podcast or vlog’s accessibility.

A Wider Market

Simply put, some people simply don’t like listening to podcasts or video blogs and instead prefer to read the information. The instant gratification of visual accessibility of written words may be preferential to certain people; though others may simply prefer the written format because they retain the information better when it is read rather than listened to. By accommodating these people, a podcast or video blog can create a larger following.

Creating Accessible Quotes

Some vlogs and podcasts benefit from being ‘quotable’ and this is even more true when those quoting can easily find the quote they are looking for without having to listen to the entire broadcast. Having quotes around the web on other websites can help drive more listeners and readers to the podcasts or vlogs.

Additional Product

By transcribing a vlog or podcast, the creator has the potential to turn these transcriptions into additional products. This could include eBooks, print books, blogs or other websites. This can lead to additional monetary income through advertising and additional page views as with online publication. Additional products translates into additional income and a larger following.

Personal Reference

Transcripts do not have to be published, but having them on hand can benefit the creator. After so many podcasts or vlogs have been produced, it can be difficult to remember exactly where or if something was said. Having transcripts can help the creator or followers search back to find quotes, references or specific guest speakers.

In short, transcribing a video blog or podcast has a number of benefits. Not only does it create a written record, it also can help promote the podcast or vlog through search engines and create a larger following. It can create additional income for the creator or it can simply be a reference point for future needs.

About the Author: Patty Kleen is a full-time writer with a passion for helping entrepreneurs find their way, no matter what business they’re in. She enjoys writing about personal finance, credit repair, and secure bad credit loans.

Using ID3 Tags for Your Podcast

Carey — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 22:28:18 +0000

Hopefully, your podcast is going to be widely distributed. It can be distributed via your website, someone else’s website, sites such as iTunes, and more. Because of this, it is important to understand and edit the ID3 tag that gets distributed along with your podcast.

Podcasts are distributed as MP3 files. These types of files contain information about the content, such as the author, known as the artist, the album, the genre, and more. You may think that since you are not trying to become a rock star that this information really doesn’t matter. But it does.

You see sites such as iTunes, and even software such as Windows Media Player, display this information on the user’s end. They even use the information to organize the MP3 files on the user’s machine. This is your opportunity to share vital information with your listeners, to help them keep your podcasts organized on their machines, and more.

Regardless of how your listener obtained your podcast, you want them to know where it came from. So, obviously, you want to include your website address in the ID3 tag. You also want them to know who the author of the podcast is, so it should include your name, and possibly even your company’s name. This is one way to get them to visit your site to listen to more of your podcasts. There is additional information that can be added, but at the very least, the ID3 tag should contain your name and you’re URL!

You can change the ID3 tags before you upload it. Just right click on the file, and choose properties. The ID3 information should be under a tab called ‘additional information.’

If for any reason you can’t edit it in that way, edit it with your media player or iTunes player. Highlight the file, right click, and select Get Info. You can fill in the information here.

Also, don’t forget to include the title of your podcast, the date, and possibly some related keywords. This will not only help with SEO, but it will make it much easier for listeners to organize your podcasts.

Why Have Youtube Videos and Podcasts on Your Blog?

Carey — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:44:51 +0000

Many bloggers have started doing Youtube videos and podcasts on their blog – apart from writing regularly on their blog.

Isn’t that too much of an effort?

How does it even matter? If you are writing regularly on your blog isn’t that the most you could do to grow your blog or your brand online?

Turns out posting Youtube videos and producing podcasts on your blog is the smartest move a blogger can make – to build and grow a blog and a brand.

In his post Are Youtube Videos and Podcasting Worth the Effort Pat Flynn gives reasons why his Youtube videos and podcasting are growing his blog and brand….of his income as well.

Youtube is a huge search engine itself and referrals from Youtube to his blog grows significantly from his videos on Youtube
Some came to know about Pat’s blog through his podcast fee on iTunes!
Tapping into iTunes and Youtube brought more subscribers to his blog
Some people prefer listening to reading.
Your brand will shine through with videos and podcasts.

Being a Podcast Transcriptionist and Lovin’ it

Carey — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:22:22 +0000

Podcast transcription is my main interest.

Podcasts can be audios or videos of bloggers talking to their audiences or interviews and product reviews. However the bulk of the podcast transcription that I do consists of interview podcasts.

That means that I get to listen to interviews of very cool people before others do.

Also the fact that I’m very much interested in the subjects of discussion really helps. Usually the subjects are niche marketing, building online communities, blogging and site flipping.

Those are subjects that I’m exploring and learning every single day. I read them on blogs and listen to podcasts.

Instead of paying for premium podcasts I get to listen to them and get paid too. How cool is that!

It’s true that people talk much faster and therefore more words to type for a podcast transcriptionist in a recording like podcast because it’s not a dictation.

Podcast audios are meant for listeners, dictations are meant for transcriptionists. So podcast transcription has more words per minute. A 30-min audio podcast could contain as many as 5,000 plus words!

However, in podcasts it’s the people who speak and the content of the podcasts that makes it so interesting and lively and insightful at times.

I hope to apply some of the insights I gain from these podcasts into my transcription business.

So, what are the podcasts you listen to? Do share!

6 Reasons For Podcasting or Video Blogging

Carey — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:09:48 +0000

There are actually many reasons why one might want to podcast or to produce a video blog. The reasons are as varied as the people who do it. Some people just want to be heard. Some people want to increase business. Some people just want to draw attention to issues that they care passionately about.

Before you start podcasting or video blogging, it is important to have a good sense as to why you want or need to do it. This reason will have a great influence on the format of your podcast or video blog, as well as on the content that you cover in each type of media.

Here are 6 powerful reasons for podcasting or video blogging:

1. You have a voice – and podcasting and video blogging gives you a platform. There was a time that only media personalities had a voice. The Internet changed this, and although we all had a voice, we weren’t able to use it, because developing a platform was too hard and too technical. That is no longer the case.

2. Podcasting and Video blogging makes you human to others. It is so easy to forget that the person on the other side of the computer screen is in fact a human being. But with the sound of your voice, and/or moving images of you, nobody can doubt that you are flesh and blood.

3. To earn money. If your podcast is good enough, and becomes popular enough, you can earn money either through subscriptions to your podcast, or by selling ad space in your podcast. Money can also be earned by recommending products. Not only that, utilizing podcast transcription service you could repurpose your podcasts into ebook and premium contents like paid email newsletters and paid membership site contents or ecourses.

4. To raise awareness. We all have topics and issues that are important to us. You can use podcasting and video blogging to bring your message to more people, in a more effective way.

5. To teach others. Once, learning was only available in a classroom setting. Education by mail came along and gave us more options. The Internet was invented, and courses were available via email or website, which pretty much gave us unlimited choices. Now, courses are available via podcast and video blog, which still gives us even more choices. Those who had trouble learning just from what they read can now hear and see the course material as well.

6. A podcast or video blog can be a great complement to other forms of media that you are using for your promotions. It is another promotional outlet, regardless of what you are trying to promote.

There are other reasons for podcasting, but even if you can’t think of a reason that suits you, let’s look at the reasons why people actually listen to podcasts and watch video blogs:

• They are busy. They can download podcasts onto their mp3 players and make constructive use of their time when walking, working out at the gym, and waiting in line, driving, etc.

• They like advanced selection. Instead of just listening to a radio station that caters to their particular taste, and being subjected to whatever programming that station throws at them, they can make their own programming choices.

• Some people don’t like to read. Some have a hard time understanding what they read. They want to see and they want to listen, and podcasting and video blogs are an answer to those desires.

• There is a wider selection of entertainment when it comes to podcasts and video blogs. Right now, in terms of watching television and movies, we are limited by what the powers that be in Hollywood or the networks think that we want to see. With podcasts and video blogs, because there is so much diversity in the world, and because anyone is able to blog or podcast, those limitations are removed.

• Like television, people come to enjoy listening to certain podcasts or viewing certain video blogs. They ‘tune in’ week after week for the new content, and they are part of a community that is being built. Those who don’t like your broadcast simply unsubscribe.

• You can listen to podcasts even without an MP3 player, or ipod. They are also accessible via the World Wide Web. Alternately, video blogging can be done in a style that makes it accessible via a video enabled MP3 player, but then it isn’t called a video blog, it is called a vodcast. The point is that the technology is available through a couple of different media devices, instead of just one.

As you can see, there are really numerous reasons as to why one would want to podcast or video blog, as well as reasons why people want to listen to podcasts or watch video blogs.

The bigger question may be ‘why would you not want to podcast or video blog in today’s technologically advanced world?’

How to Set up A Podcast on Your Blog

Carey — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 04:22:55 +0000

With so many A-list bloggers complementing their content with podcasts, I can only assume many more bloggers are wondering if they should start podcasting on their blogs.

If you are one such blogger, here is an article by Chris Guthrie, How to Make a Podcast that explains the ins and out of podcasting and the equipment needed to do so.

This is what Chris has to say about his experience:

I also believe podcasting can be a great marketing tool as well. You’d be surprised by how many people listen to podcasts on just about every subject. I receive a couple emails a week from people who found my blog via the podcast and have become regular readers because of the podcast.

Chris has only done two podcasts and he is already listed on iTunes in the New & Noteworthy section for his business category.

How to Optimize your Podcast Transcripts for Search Engines

Carey — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 05:17:47 +0000

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:

A src attribute specifying the URL of the image

A width declaration in which the width of the image is specified in pixels

A height declaration in which the height of the image is specified in pixels

An alt attribute that describes the content of the image—this is the #1 element of image-oriented SEO

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

My First Time: 3 Lessons Learned

Carey — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 04:11:25 +0000

Do you remember your first time? (No, not what you are thinking. Much, much better than that. I’m talking about your first job as a freelance!)

I’ll never forget mine! It was the 19th April 2010.

That day I sent through my first batch of work to my client. I was elated and on cloud nine. I was enveloped in the most amazing feelings of freedom, independence, immense hope and fulfilment – all at the same time. I was filled with immense pride and self-worth.

Those feelings lasted more than 2 weeks as I completed the whole project. (See? It lasted more than 2 weeks. Not 2 minutes. It’s way better than that.)

As a freelance translation editor, this was my first work at home gig! I’m over the moon!

Although money hasn’t changed hands, I’ll forever be grateful for this job.

Lately, I’ve been thinking over the experience and reliving it to reflect on the important lessons from that first freelance job. And, also because I’ve had two more queries since then! And, here, are the 3 vital lessons learned from my first time.

You’ll Never be Ready

It has been almost a year since I started this blog. In terms of content and design, this blog is not anywhere near ready. Forget being ready, it’s still incomplete – without a services page or something similar. But, the fact that I still get prospects and a client already, is testimony to that fact that it’s ok to be imperfect. Everybody starts off somewhere.

Prospects and clients are human too. They understand that. The fact that I don’t have the money for a design or copy does not bother my client. The result she gets, matters most to her. The important thing is to establish your presence on the web – start a blog already – and start making connections. Let go of your excuses. Writing does not come naturally to you? Well, start writing everyday and follow blogs like WritetoDone, Copyblogger, ViperChill, SmartPassiveIncome, etc. One area I’m struggling with is the business side of things. I know it will take months to figure out somethings, but I’m willing to do my time and sweat it out. Who ever said making money is easy, right?

Stop Waiting for the Elusive Big Break

After writing blogs for more than 4 years now, one thing is mightily clear to me – there is no such thing as a Big Break in making money online world. My monthly income from these blogs? $40 – $50 in a good month! So, why continue? Because there has always been little breaks in between long spells of drought. These may be in the form of a post going viral, an affiliate sales or a chat with one of my favorite bloggers, a comment from a reader, etc. You do get my drift, right? So, I’m being a realist, while hopeful and focussed on my goals of making real money online and generating passive income.

It’s the little breaks that will make a difference. It’s the little breaks that perhaps will make it possible for you to break away from the 9-to-5 existence. Dave Navarro, who just quit his job yesterday, wrote a guest post on Ittibiz where he says “No magical single event is going to take you from obscurity to celebrity (well, not in a healthy, sustainable way that lets you sleep at night).” And, that’s the naked, honest truth.

Your Journey will be Unique, so will your Story be

My first brush with making money from blogs is what Darren from ProBlogger calls an indirect method of making money from blogs. My father’s book, Zo Chronicles, was published posthumously in 2008. I announced the release on my then personal blog, quickly highlighting how I got it published, how I undertook the task of proofreading, without prior experience, the manuscript and how friends and family helped to make the publication possible, where and when it was being released and a discount for the release day. On release day, all copies we got from the publisher were sold!

I know how I make money is unique, very different from how most A-List bloggers make theirs. My story is unique, so is my journey. Eventually my destiny. We are like a bunch of school kids – today playing football together; 20 years later, we’ll be lucky to even play a game. Forget about being together in the same playground.

This blog is where I primarily want to help video or podcast bloggers by providing them transcripts for their audios and videos. But somehow, the first job I got is for translations! But, I’m not complaining. It’s surprises like this that makes blogging worthwhile. Do not ever overlook or ignore your prospects where you can help them with your unique set of talents (ever if you do not offer the help they ask for). Always remember, at the end of the day, you are trying to help people. Help them wherever, whenever and which ever way you can. You are the diversifying your income stream, establishing your brand and your credibility in the process. Be unique. Stay unique.

photo credit: woodleywonderworks

Please feel free to leave your comments and observations. Do you remember your first time? Please do share your first time stories. Subscribe and stay connected.

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Secret to Skyrocket Online Income for Video Bloggers

Carey — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 13:57:28 +0000

photo credit: Kathryn,

Video blogging or vblogging is going to be huge.

With easy and cheap or even free access to video editing tools and online resources, video bloggers are in could nine.

What if I tell you there is a little secret that can skyrocket the online incomes of thousands of video bloggers out there?

The “secret” is to simply provide transcripts of the videos you posted. Transcripts are provided by podcast transcription service providers.

Yes, its THAT simple. But thousands of video bloggers make the mistake of posting their videos and then they think they are done.

What they fail to acknowledge is, there are thousands of potential audience who prefer text-base posts.

By providing transcripts of your video posts or podcasts:

you cater to more readers/customers
it takes less time to read the transcript than watch a video thereby a reader can quickly decide to subscribe or buy your products.
you can now serve more ads by incorporating them in your transcripts
Google loves texts and therefore SEO benefits for your blog cannot be underestimated
by providing transcripts of your video posts you differentiate yourself from the competition who don’t
If sites like CNN provides transcripts, why not you?

If you were video blogging without transcripts re-purpose your old videos and provide their transcripts to beat the competition now!