Recording Podcasts - Top Ten Tips for Getting The Best Results from the Transcription Process

There are a variety of reasons why you might want your podcast transcribed so that you have a written as well as an audio/video version on your website. These include diversity (a hearing-impaired person can read the transcript), searchability (someone looking for a specific point won't be able to search the audio, and the search engines will also 'see' the transcript but not see the keywords in your audio), and speed (it's quicker for someone to read through, skipping to the bits that interest them, than to listen to the entire audio).

This article provides tips on recording a podcast, some of which relate to the general process including the broadcast, and some of which specifically relate to a future transcription.

1. Follow all the general guidelines for recording for transcription given in my other articles.
2. Permissions. Get permission from your interviewees to be recorded, broadcast and transcribed. You should have their verbal permission on the recording (even if that part isn't broadcast)
3. Music. If you intend using music in the edited final version of your podcast, ensure that you have the necessary licences.
4. Brief the transcriber - You need to tell your transcriptionist what kind of transcription you require from your podcast (see our transcription types page) and also whether you need the verbal confirmation of acceptance to be recorded, any general pre-interview chat or instructions transcribed, musical interludes noted, etc. Most transcriptionist have a standard format for the transcript, but if you have a specific format used on your website they should be able to work to that if briefed.
5. Phones. Make sure you and your interviewee both have mobile phones turned off, and make sure that if you're in your office your phone is diverted so that you won't be disturbed.
6. Prepare your interview carefully. Divide your questions into logical sections , make sure you have plenty of open questions (questions that can't be answered as yes/no or in one word), and do your best to cut down on the 'filler' words like 'um', 'er' etc. They can be edited out of the transcript but they will still appear on your broadcast.
7. Brief your interviewees - tell them the subjects you'll be covering in the podcast and maybe give them a copy of your planned questions, while letting them know that you might not stick strictly to the script as you want the freedom to follow the conversation. (It's useful to give the transcriptionist a copy of your interview guide as well.)
8. Editing pauses During the recording try and pause for a few seconds between each answer and the next question, or when you go on to a different topic. If you make a mistake, just pause and start again. This is a hard technique to master but it will make any later editing much easier. The pause also makes sure the interviewee has said all they want to say.
9. Clarify any visuals - if the interviewee shows you a diagram, photograph or document, say what it is for the interview, as of course it won't be visible on the transcript, and if you're sending out an audio only broadcast it won't work there either; so say what it is.
10. Names and places: You obviously don't want to stop the interview to ask people to spell things out so that they can appear correctly in the transcript, so make a note of them and then ask for spellings at the end of the recording.