If you run a business, you understand how important your phone is. It’s the device that allows you to communicate with your customers, employees, and vendors. You make calls every day to pitch new products, brainstorm ideas, and make deals happen. Where would you be without this fantastic device?
Are You Ready to Reap the Benefits of Call Transcription?
Unfortunately, we usually don’t remember everything communicated during our important phone calls. This can be detrimental to the running of any business. Sure, we can note points down on a notepad, but no matter how quickly you scribble, you might miss some valuable information. This is why you should have your calls transcribed for reference and analysis. Here are some quick and easy steps.
Step 1: Record the Calls
Before we transcribe calls, we’ll need to record them first. Our smartphones come with some very attractive features. Some have built-in recorders for audio and video calls; if your device doesn’t have them, check out these options:
- For Phone Calls
If you’re using an Android device, go to the Google Play store and search for a recording app. A popular one is Automatic Call Recorder by Appliqato. As for the iPhone, install the TapeACall application from the App Store. Both of these apps are free to use.
- For Video Calls
For Android, a popular choice is the AZ Screen Recorder. Using this app, you can record practically anything that appears on your screen, including video calls. iPhone users can check out VideoShot – Screen Recorder, an app that allows you to record your screen and edit the recordings if necessary.
Step 2: Transcribe the Recordings
Once you have your recordings saved, either on your device or the cloud, you’re ready to have them transcribed. Here are three ways to get this done:
- Self-transcription
Transcribing a call yourself is by far the most challenging option, but it isn’t impossible. It’ll take a lot of time and a high concentration level, not to mention good listening skills. All you have to do is play the recording and note down any verbal communication. Take note that you might have to replay the file a few times for an accurate transcript. The upside of transcribing by yourself is it’s free!
Understandably, you’re not a professional transcriber, so beware that you might face some frustration during the process. If your call was made in a noisy environment, you could try cleaning up the audio with a program such as Krisp.
- Automatic transcription tool
Technology is a beautiful thing. There are now apps that utilize artificial intelligence to convert audio into text. Accuracy levels are acceptable for clear calls with no background noise. It also helps if callers do not speak with strong accents and complex industry jargon. Some tools don’t charge for use, while others offer a free transcript for files one minute long but make you pay for anything lengthier.
With this method, you need to set lower expectations; you’re not going to get a flawless transcript. Names of people, brands, medications, and places are just a few examples of misspelled words in automated transcripts.
- Human transcription service
A human transcription service utilizes professional transcribers to transform calls into text. The charges associated with this option are on the higher end. However, what you’re getting, as a result, is a transcript that’s close to 100% accurate, if not more. That’s because the people who work at transcription companies have exceptional listening skills. They can ignore the background noise and produce immaculate transcripts, even in the cases of accented speakers and complex terminology.
With this alternative, it might take longer to have calls transcribed. Nonetheless, you won’t have to compare the finished transcript with the recording to check for accuracy, unlike with an automatic transcription tool. In cases where you need an urgent transcript, you can opt for quicker turnaround times. Some services deliver within six hours!
Call Transcription Is the Easiest Way to Stay On Top of Things
The phone call transcription software you choose depends on your needs, budget, availability, and urgency. If you need something cheap and quick and don’t mind a subpar transcript, an automated transcription tool will suit you just fine. Otherwise, if accuracy is your number one priority, a human transcription service is the way to go.
