With million of podcast bloggers it's difficult to differentiate one from the other. But one thing you can surely do to attract more listeners and readers is to get your podcasts transcribed.
When a podcast is converted to text by transcriptionist it's just so convenient for those not having the time to listen to a podcast or time to download.
It's also convenient for referencing and linking from and to the podcast.
That's why podcast transcription has become the secret ingredient for successful podcast bloggers and online entrepreneurs. Some entrepreneurs even converted their podcasts into books!
Podcast transcription service is not a simple transcription service. It includes transcribing, editing, researching, proofing, formatting, Grammar, context, spelling. It's a full-blown service of itself.
My podcast transcription service, TranscriptionistForBloggers.com is open and active.
Please check out the website for rates and if you have any question do not hesitate to shoot me a mail.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Sunday, 1 May 2011
The Secret Skill You Need to Become a Successful Freelance Transcriber
To be a successful transcriber you don't need to be the best transcriber. What you need to be is, the best-selling transcriber!
Selling is the only skill you need to become a successful freelance transcriber. This is also true for transcribers working for a company.
If you have the skills of negotiation, salesmanship and marketing, you will get better benefits, faster pay raises, better positions.
Successful freelance transcribers know this. They know where to get free publicity. They know where to advertise and how. They know how to communicate effectively with others; especially with their prospects and speak their language.
I'm sometimes amazed at how very skilled transcribers are only moderately successful or happy in their jobs. Some transcribers don't mind giving a 3-hour overtime every week in office; but spending 1-hour a week on their own business is unthinkable to the same transcribers. That is unthinkable to me.
So start selling.
If you liked this article, please share it on Facebook, StumbleUpon or Twitter. I’d appreciate it. :)
Selling is the only skill you need to become a successful freelance transcriber. This is also true for transcribers working for a company.
If you have the skills of negotiation, salesmanship and marketing, you will get better benefits, faster pay raises, better positions.
Successful freelance transcribers know this. They know where to get free publicity. They know where to advertise and how. They know how to communicate effectively with others; especially with their prospects and speak their language.
I'm sometimes amazed at how very skilled transcribers are only moderately successful or happy in their jobs. Some transcribers don't mind giving a 3-hour overtime every week in office; but spending 1-hour a week on their own business is unthinkable to the same transcribers. That is unthinkable to me.
So start selling.
If you liked this article, please share it on Facebook, StumbleUpon or Twitter. I’d appreciate it. :)
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
4 Biggest Mistakes I Made as a Freelance Transcriber Starting Out
No new freelancer is perfect - not me, and maybe, not you too. However if we are smart, we learn from our mistakes. If we are smarter, we learn from others' mistakes.
A few years ago (3 years ago?) I had the idea of freelancing as a transcriber. I know I'm good at what I do and love doing what I do - transcribing.
I wanted, and still do, the opportunity to work closely with clients and build relationships with them, which is missing when clients outsource to transcription companies.
I also look at freelancing as the next step in my career. Ten-fifteen years down the line I want a transcription business of my own that focuses on providing personalized service to every customer.
However, these four mistakes effectively hijacked my freelance career at take-off!
No research
I started my freelance career by buying a domain. A domain name which, in retrospect, is very limiting. I've done no research of any kind to learn about my target market, the potential or the price they might be willing to pay for my services or whether they will be willing to pay at all.
Forget about market research, I didn't even do preliminary keyword researching which is crucial for any online business.
Also, as I was new to freelancing there was no social proof of my experience or my expertise. I have no testimonials or references or certificates to back up my legitimacy and professionalism.
There I was with a domain name and a WordPress blog, waiting for prospects to find me!
Choosing a new niche
Even though I've had about 3-4 years experience in the legal transcription industry I chose to target bloggers. Bloggers have started to provide transcripts of their podcasts (video or audio) on their blogs so, I thought it's a good idea to offer podcast transcription services.
This meant that I have no samples (obviously) or testimonials from clients. Unfortunately, this was the only reason why I missed the opportunity of working with a now famous blogger on his podcast transcripts!
Also, back then, podcast transcription being new to bloggers only the top bloggers post transcripts of their podcasts. Not many bloggers know the benefits of podcast transcripts. Bloggers had to be educated on the merits of having transcripts of their podcasts. That's a huge challenge.
Not willing to spend money on... anything!
Other than buying a domain and a webhost, I was not willing and don't have the money to spend on blog design, logo, email marketing, advertising, copywriting etc.
Without even a basic professional blog design and copywriting, it's hard for a nobody to gain the trust of potential customers. Yes, it's possible to set up a free blog easily. It's easy to put up a decent looking website. But the truth is, unless you have at least a premium theme and a decent logo people won't trust your site.
When it comes to online promotion first impression is truly the last.
Other things you might have to spend money on are:
Other things you might have to spend money on are:
- A decent keyword research tool.
- An FTP solution or something like Sharefile that allows you to share files easily and customers to upload their audios.
- An invoice solution
- An online payment gateway like Paypal.
- A Facebook page, a twitter profile etc.
- Advertising (ex: on Facebook and/or Linkedin or other websites/blogs)
Not networking with fellow freelance transcribers
When I started my freelance blog trying to find customers I focussed on writing blog posts after blog posts. Although that in itself is not bad, I ignored networking. I ignored commenting on other related blogs or transcription blogs. I had no idea where to find freelance transcribers online.
Working online is a lonely endeavour enterprise. You need others to share their experience (especially as you are new to it) and guide you. You need some sort of a mentor who can tell you when you do something wrong and tell you when you are right as well.
Conclusion
Working from home as a transcriber is not easy. There is a lot you have to learn. Hopefully, you will have learnt a thing or two from my mistakes and do it right if and when you decide to go freelance.
Ironically, I get to work as a freelance transcriber when I was not actively looking for work. In fact, I've since put my plan for going freelance fulltime on the back burner for now. But if and when I decide to get back to it I now know what I needed to do and how.
Working online is a lonely endeavour enterprise. You need others to share their experience (especially as you are new to it) and guide you. You need some sort of a mentor who can tell you when you do something wrong and tell you when you are right as well.
Conclusion
Working from home as a transcriber is not easy. There is a lot you have to learn. Hopefully, you will have learnt a thing or two from my mistakes and do it right if and when you decide to go freelance.
Ironically, I get to work as a freelance transcriber when I was not actively looking for work. In fact, I've since put my plan for going freelance fulltime on the back burner for now. But if and when I decide to get back to it I now know what I needed to do and how.
If you liked this article, please share it on Facebook, StumbleUpon or Twitter. I’d appreciate it. :)
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