If you’re like most people, you watch at least a few videos online every day. Whether you’re checking out the latest news, watching a tutorial on how to do something, or just passing some time with a funny clip, video is a huge part of our lives.
And while it’s easy to just hit play and enjoy the visuals and audio, sometimes having a written transcript can be really helpful.
Transcription can make it easier to follow along with what’s being said in a video, look up specific words or phrases, or even access the information in a video if you’re hearing impaired.
Did you know that over 300 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every minute? That’s a lot of content!
And while YouTube is great for finding and watching all sorts of videos, it can be challenging to sift through everything to find what you’re looking for. This is where transcripts come in handy.
When it comes to creating video content, transcription can often be overlooked. However, transcription can be a valuable asset to your videos, providing viewers with a way to follow along and ensuring that your message is clear.
In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of adding video transcripts to your videos, and we’ll provide tips on how to create them. Let’s get started!
How To Create Transcripts for Your Videos
If you’re looking to add transcripts to your videos, there are a few different ways to go about it:
Create a Transcript Yourself
This option is best if you have a small number of videos and the time to do it yourself. All you need is a text editor and a good ear!
Use a text-to-speech Program
This is a good option if you have a lot of videos or audio files that you need to transcribe. There are a number of different programs available, so be sure to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs.
Hire a Transcription Service
This option is ideal if you have a lot of videos or if you want someone else to handle the task for you. There are many professional transcription companies/services available, so be sure to shop around for the best one for your needs.
Use YouTube’s Automatic Captioning Feature
This option is quick and easy, but keep in mind that automatic captions are not always accurate. If possible, we recommend reviewing and editing the transcript before adding it to your video.
Now that we’ve gone over some ways to create transcripts, let’s take a look at the pros and cons and why they can be so beneficial for your videos.
Pros and Cons of YouTube Transcripts for Videos
Pros of YouTube Transcripts to Your Videos
- You can control the pace of the video
You can control the pace at which the video plays back. This is useful if you want to watch a particular scene again or if you want to speed through a scene that you don’t find interesting.
- You can easily read the transcript while the video is playing
You can use this if you are intending on following along with the video. The transcript can also be useful for looking up specific information later on.
- You can choose to watch the video with or without subtitles
Subtitles can be helpful if you’re trying to understand a video in a different language or if you’re hard of hearing. You can also turn them off if you find them distracting.
- You can see how long the video is before you start watching it
If you want to know whether or not you have time to watch the whole thing or if you need to skip ahead to a particular section.
- You can watch the video in HD or choose a lower quality to save data
This is helpful if you want to watch the video in high definition or if you’re on a limited data plan and need to conserve data. You can also change the quality while the video is playing if you need to adjust the settings.
- You can search for specific words or terms in the transcript
If you’re trying to locate a certain scene or piece of information within the video, this is helpful. You can also use the search function to jump to specific parts of the video.
- The transcript can be a valuable resource for students, educators, and researchers
The transcript can be helpful for students who want to follow along with a lecture or for researchers who are looking for specific information. The transcript can also be useful for looking up quotes or referencing specific parts of the video.
It can also be helpful for educators who want to use it as a teaching tool or for trainers who want to use it as a reference. The video can also be used to create a learning module or course.
- Transcripts can help improve the accessibility of videos for people with disabilities
People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use transcripts to follow along with videos. Transcripts can also be used by people who are blind or have low vision to access the content of videos.
Transcripts can also help improve the accessibility of videos for people with learning disabilities.
Cons of YouTube Transcripts to Your Videos
- Not all videos have transcripts available
Transcripts are not readily available for all videos. This can be a problem if you’re trying to access a video for educational or research purposes.
- Transcripts can be inaccurate
While transcripts can be helpful, they are not always accurate. This can be a problem if you’re relying on the transcript for specific information.
- Transcripts can be hard to read
The transcript may be difficult to read if the video is fast-paced or if there is a lot of dialogue. This can make it difficult to follow along with the video or find specific information.
- You may need to pay for transcripts
Some companies charge for transcripts, which can be an obstacle if you’re trying to access a video for educational or research purposes.
- Transcripts can be time-consuming to create
Creating transcripts can be a time-consuming process, which can be a barrier for some companies or individuals.
- Some people prefer to watch videos without subtitles or captions
Some people prefer to watch videos without subtitles or captions because they find them distracting. Others may find that subtitles or captions are helpful in understanding the video.
- The transcript may not be synchronized with the video
The transcript may not be synchronized with the video, which can make it difficult to follow along. This can be a problem if you’re trying to use the transcript as a reference.
Conclusion:
All in all, there’s no good reason not to create video transcripts for all your videos.
Not only will they make your content more accessible to a wider audience, but they also provide valuable SEO benefits that can help increase traffic to your website.
If you’re not sure how to get started, there are many professional transcription services available that can help. Once you start transcribing your videos, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!
