The Power of Transcription: Making Your Past Speeches Work for You

So, you have given many, many speeches and you have all these recordings stored on CD's or taking up space on your hard drive. How can they benefit you now?

You can put your speeches to good use by having them transcribed. Transcription not only allows you to have a written record of your presentation, but gives you the flexibility of editing redundant information or mistakes. Once you have edited the content in the transcript, you can copy the information and publish it as an e-book or a white paper. You can even make it a part of an online curriculum. Best of all, you can charge for your publication and create an additional revenue stream.

If you have given a number of speeches on various topics, you can publish the transcripts on your website as a bonus to event attendees who want more in-depth information or would like to read your thoughts on other matters. These readers may then quote you directly (and accurately), straight from your transcript, giving you even more exposure and a larger audience. As your popularity grows, so will your number of invitations to speak in other venues, and your business will continue to grow too.

Special Delivery: How to Get Your Audio to Us

Have you ever wondered how to transfer your audio files to us? Many times we are asked how to best deliver audio files to us for transcription and if we can accept uploads or email attachments. The good news is: we can accept both, plus we have additional options for you.

Email Attachments:

If you have a small audio file, say around 5MB, you can attach it to an email and send it to our operations department at transcriptionrequest@ttetranscripts.com. Be sure to include your contact information, a descriptive title for your audio, and the turnaround time you are seeking. Your email and the attached audio file will be sent to our entire operations staff to ensure that your request receives timely attention.

File Uploads:

Any audio file you have can be uploaded to us via our ftp website. Just point your browser to www.tteintranet.com/customerupload.aspx and fill out the convenient form. Click on the "Choose File" button to locate your stored audio file and select the file you wish to upload. Once the form is completed, just click submit and your file is on it's way to us. Our system will automatically notify the operations manager that your file has been uploaded.

Direct Dictation:

You can have our digital dictation system record your conversation, meeting, conference or blog updates by dialing directly into our servers. Just add us as one of your participants in your conference call or dial our number from your conference phone or cell phone, enter your customer pin number and our system will immediately start recording your call. Once you release the call, our system will store your audio and submit it to our operations crew for transcription. We will complete your transcript within the turnaround time you set when you create your account. You can change your turnaround for any audio file by submitting an email to us at transcriptionrequest@ttetranscripts.com.

Snail Mail:

Do you have audio stored on dictation or regular cassette tapes? Just place them in an envelope and send them to our Huntley, IL office. Our mailing address is:

TTE Transcripts Worldwide

10317 Fair Lane

Huntley, IL 60142

If these solutions do not meet your specific audio file delivery needs, be sure to contact us at 847-592-6211. We have a solution for you.

Tips for Great Audio Recordings During Your Conference Call

Poor audio quality on conference calls can seriously impact the quality and the cost of your transcription. Here are several tips to keep in mind when hosting a conference call that will result in the best possible audio for transcription:

1. Electronic devices (such as iPhones, Blackberries, cell phones, other hands-free devices and laptops) can interfere with line quality by adding static if located too close to the phone. Make sure that you place such items at some distance away from the phone you are using for the conference call.
2. If you are conducting a call using a conference room phone, microphone or speakerphone, be aware of its location at all times and speak directly into the device to ensure the best audio quality. When making an operator-assisted conference call using these devices, be sure to test the volume and line clarity with the operator prior to starting the call.
   
3. For optimum clarity, use a headset or telephone handset. Avoid using a speakerphone. Speakerphones should only be used in very quiet locations.
   
4. Be sure to avoid background sounds like music, coughing, eating typing or shuffling papers by using your mute button.
5. If you must leave your conference for a short duration, be sure to mute your line instead of placing it on hold. Any hold music or messages will play into your call if you place it on hold.
6. Avoid using three-way calling to add other participants to the bridge for it degrades line quality.
7. Be sure to ask your participants using mobile phones in airports, computer rooms or other noisy environments to mute their phones to stem background noise.
8. Use the "presenter mode" for larger calls to automatically mute all participants to ensure audio clarity.
9. For small conference calls (25 participants or less), simply ask that all participants mute their phones to improve audio quality.
10. Be sure to turn off call-waiting on your cell phone or home phone to avoid beeps or blaring signals from being recorded.

Update Your Blog on the Go

In her latest post "7 Ways to Get More From Social Media in 2010", blogger Lisa Barone states that you must make time for social media and plan for it in order for it to be effective. However, many SMB owners and managers are too busy running with the day-to-day activities of their business to find the time to update their blog.

Let us lend you a hand. Use our IdeaScribe service to update your blog on the go. By simply dialing in and recording your thoughts, ideas, rants or praises onto our dictation servers, we can supply you with a written transcript in MS Word .doc format sent back to your email when you need it most. IdeaScribe is ideal for the busy businessperson on the go; whether sitting in traffic, traveling to a convention, or multitasking, you can now use our technology to keep your social media projects up-to-date. Try IdeaScribe and let us know what you think.

No Hidden Surprises with our Transcription Service

Recently, one of my computers was infected with a virus. What was most surprising, even shocking, was that this computer had an up-to-date anti-virus program by one of the larger manufacturers. However, this program did absolutely nothing to stop the advance of the well-known "Anti-Virus System Pro Software" virus, which has been floating around for many months and produces scads of pop-ups with various distasteful windows and prompts one to buy their software. Not only did this anti-virus software from this company (Company 1) not have a recovery CD available to try and thwart the virus, but their customer support line urged that you purchase additional services to the tune of $79.95 to have their technicians actively cleanse your computer and rid it of the virus.

Enter another large manufacturer of anti-virus software, Company 2. For a little more than one-half the charge of Company 1's technical services, you could buy a 3-PC subscription CD at your local Sam's Club. After a very brief internet search on the virus and the download of a tool that kept the virus at bay, Company 2's software loaded up quickly, renewed its anti-virus definitions, and tackled the virus quickly and decisively. All for the price of the original software purchased. Company 2's software performed as promised, at the price promised, with no hidden charges.

We at TTE offer you the same peace of mind as that of the second software mentioned above. You will always know what you are being charged for your transcription in advance and we do our very utmost to deliver the finished product to your Inbox within the turnaround time we promised. Just like Company 2, our company is built on consistency, quality and dependability at a price that is competitive, all with no hidden surprises.

Parents: Kids and the Swine Flu, Your Job Need Not Suffer Too

According to a recent AP article on swine flu school closings, more than 187 school dismissals have been related to the H1N1 swine flu, affecting almost 80,000 students. 80,000 students staying home means many parents having to stay at home from work. Staying home from work might mean missing that critical meeting or sales call.

Alas, all is not lost: with a plethora of technologies like web meetings and phone conferencing available to you, now you can keep those meetings on your schedule and stay on top of your job. And to make things even easier for you, do not worry about taking notes during your meeting. Just send the recorded audio to TTE and we will have a professional, publication-ready transcript in MS Word format sent directly to your in-box. You can then cut and paste the information to your heart's desire and put it in a report that will keep your boss happy, while retaining the original transcript in your records.

So, relax and stay home with your kids and don't let the swine flu get the best of you, or your job. Use technology to your benefit by conferencing in your meeting participants and having the audio transcribed by TTE.

(image credit: www.cdc.gov)

TTE Transcription and Wendy's Double Stack: Great Values

You may be thinking to yourself right now, "Self, what does this burger have to do with transcription and translation?"
The answer is: directly, nothing.

However, this burger, which happens to be a Wendy's (r) Double Stack, is a great value. You can buy this burger as shown for 99 cents in most markets. But the REAL value is in knowing that you can also add mayo, lettuce and tomato for free. So, for just under a dollar, you get a lot of burger. Now that is a great value.

We at TTE Transcripts are all about value, too. We love giving our customers many ways that they can save money while still getting the most service for their buck.

Did you know that we can save you an average of 40 percent off the cost of transcription offered by conferencing companies? By making us one of your attendees at your next conference, we can record the entire audio directly onto our dictation servers and provide you with an expertly transcribed and highly accurate written record of what was said at your meeting. This works even for web meetings powered by WebEx and GoToMeeting.

"But why buy a transcript at all?" you might ask. Well, here is where the real value comes in. By having a highly accurate written record of your meeting, seminar, interview or deposition, you will always have the information at hand to ensure that there are no costly misunderstandings that might trouble you down the road. (By the way, did I mention that our accuracy rate is 99.5%, the best in the industry?)

So, the next time you are looking for real value, get your hamburgers from Wendy's (r) and get your transcription from us here at TTE Transcripts. Both will leave you feeling satisfied that you got the most bang for your buck.


(Wendy's is a registered trademark Oldemark LLC.)