Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Evangelical
Why You Could Use a Transcriber

Why You Could Use a Transcriber

Last updated on: July 15, 2016 at 8:21 am by Frank Viola

Why You Could Use a Transcriber 2016-07-15T08:21:40-04:00 Frank Viola

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Many of you who read this blog are speakers, podcasters, authors, writers, and other creatives.

As such, you know the value of saving time and creating new valuable content.

Example: for my recent PROLIFIC Productivity & Creativity Program, I hired Janette Mowry to transcribe all 22 audios which made up the PDF transcript to the course.

Janette does a great job and her prices are competitive.

I caught up with Janette recently to talk to here about how a transcriber can benefit you and your work.

Enjoy!

How did you get into transcribing?

I learned I had a knack for typing when I learned in the 9th grade. Got out of school and did a variety of other things not even related to typing. Then, nearing the end of 2005, working a f/t admin. job at my local Sheriff’s Office I wanted to make a few extra bucks so I signed up on a freelance website. I bid on a few scattered projects here and there and then was tasked with a project by someone outsourcing projects for others.

I accepted the initial project, transcribing an Internet radio shows interviews of the host and guest. These became regularly weekly projects assigned to me. After 6 months of transcribing for the same individual, that individual found out I was doing the transcripts as opposed to the other person he had actually hired, he then came straight to me and asked if I’d be interested in starting my own business. I was nervous, yet excited and ultimately said yes. This individual and I had never met and only spoke once on the phone in all this time.

In early October of 05’, he asked if I’d be interested in attending a 3-day event in Atlanta, GA., that he’d pay the fee for the event and the hotel, I just needed to show up so we could meet. I jumped at the chance. I was nervous, never having attended an event B4. I was a bit shy. We did meet on the first day, along with his entire family, who were all involved in his biz and attending. They were great. He offered me a deal I couldn’t pass up, to quit my job and start a business w/the radio show as my first official client.

I’d had some quick business cards printed to hand out. After our meet-up I sat in on a few presentations and learned to meet people and sell my services, obtaining my 2nd official client and no more.

What are the benefits for having something transcribed for authors, bloggers, podcasters, and writers?

One of the most important things I’ve learned in all my years in business is that people’s learning modalities differ from person to person. Some enjoy listening, some watching and some reading. It’s been my experience throughout this time as well, to know that if you believe it’s worth recording, be it audio or video, that it’s worth transcribing, because the written word can be used in so many ways.

Not only will it give you an entire verbatim/semi-verbatim or summarized version of the audio/video which, as a transcript can be used as a giveaway when launching a new program, broken down into articles for blog posts, turned into an eBook, added to other materials to create a mini-eCourse, used as a script for a podcast, downloaded as a series on USB, the possibilities are endless as to its uses, it just depends on what business you’re in.

Give some examples of how pastors and Christian authors have used your services.

I have worked with several pastors, who would send me weekly recordings of sermons they wished to have transcribed and when folks weren’t able to be at church, he would provide them with a copy to read. I had one minister who would send me random recordings of other pastor’s sermons they wished to have transcribed so they could write notes and use them as inspiration in creating their own sermons. I’ve worked with Christian authors, either transcribing their own recordings where they turned the transcripts into published works and others for whom I would transcribe weekly podcasts, monthly teachings/youth ministry workshops, etc.

What is the turnaround time after someone sends you an audio to transcribe?

Project turnaround can vary, depending on when it is received. We are a small business and we strive to provide quality personalized customer service to our clientele. There are variables when speaking of turnaround time.

Projects are placed on the schedule in the order in which they are received. Each week’s work schedule is created on Thursday for the following week.

Turnaround time can also vary, depending on the size of the audio and/or video, and whether there is one or more people talking… like with an interview, workshop, round table meeting, conference, or a coach, trainer, counselor, teaching of some kind.

It takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to transcribe 1 hr., which can vary depending on the # of people speaking. If the audio and/or video is 90 min. 2 hours or even longer; or, if there is a series project where there are several days’ worth of audio and the project length is 5, 7, 10 even 20 audio and/or video hours long, then it should be expected it will take time as that’s not our only project and that many hours is a process to complete.

A process, because for one, it’s quite lengthy which we actually like those types of projects they just take time. See, we use foot pedals and headphones so we don’t miss anything pertinent in the content. We do not use voice activated software or other computerized equipment. And, we also proofread/edit and format while we’re transcribing. Then upon completion it’s reviewed at least one more time prior to being submitted to a client, along with an invoice.

So again, turnaround can vary, but for normal regular type projects I would say no more than 3 to 5 days max, not including weekends as we do not work weekends unless absolutely necessary that is our time.

What other services do you offer?

Add’l services offered include: proofing/editing, data entry, Internet research, general/basic word processing, consulting to small businesses/startups, blog posting and we’ve done other things at client’s request. If we can accomplish it we’re willing to assist in any way we can. If we are unable to take on the task or haven’t the experience for what’s needed, we’re happy to provide information to our clients of vendors we’ve worked with at reasonable rates, who can accomplish what they need. Happy to do so.

How can people contact you to get a rate for their project?

We are working to revamp the entire website. In the meantime, we can be contacted via email at- [email protected] or they can give me a call at 229-400-3242 where we can set up a time for a chat about their project and how we can best be of service to them. I enjoy talking with folks to get to know them, find out what they’re looking for and if we’re a good fit.

Each client, upon agreeing on working together, receives a service/confidentiality agreement and we’ll get the ball rolling.

Check out Janette’s Website

Uncategorized

Previous Post

July 14, 2016

Why Leaders Must Be Readers & How to Find the Time

Next Post

July 23, 2016 Recent Articles

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: In Matthew, Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with instructions to take a staff and sandals for their journey.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE