Why You Should Have Your Podcast Transcribed

Podcast hosts are always looking for new ways to bring in subscribers and listeners. Many podcasts also have websites, services and products associated with their shows that could use additional promotion. Not too many podcasts offer typed transcriptions of their shows yet, and are overlooking valuable opportunities for promotion and monetization. Here are 13 ways a podcast could use a transcription of their show.

1. Use the Transcript to Remind yourself what the Show was about
Maybe you need to refer back to what you talked about for a blog post, comment or further research, or to put together show notes. Many speakers focus on staying on track during an interview and may not remember everything that was said. Whatever the case, having a written record of the show will make remembering it much easier.

2. Improve your Speaking and Interviewing Skills
Reading a transcript of the show may help point out grammatical mistakes or help you see how you could improve your interview techniques. Also you can see if your ideas flow in a logical, coherent fashion. Read and figure out what you do well in an interview...and then use those questions and techniques in your future interviews.

3. Use quotes and blurbs for promotion
Cut and Paste pieces of text to use in your marketing materials. Quote a guest for your blog, use segments for comments, use the text to help write descriptions for directories.

4. Sell the Transcript as Premium Content on your Website
Sell the transcripts individually as premium content, as an ebook of premium content or offer it as a bonus for your paid subscribers.

5. Avoid repetition
Reading the transcript will make it easier to avoid repeating subjects and questions in future podcasts. The act of reading may help it sink into your consciousness easier so you don't repeat content that your audience has already heard.

6. Organize your Shows and Audio files
Reading is often faster and easier than opening a sound file and listening to it. If you are organizing shows by topic, guest or in other ways, reading will make it easier.

7. Let Potential Guests read Transcripts to Prepare
Sometimes a potential guest for your show may not have time to listen to your show. Offer them a transcript to read so they can scan it and get a quick idea what your show is about.

8. Use Transcripts as Web Content on your Website
Transcripts usually have highly relevant content, rich with keywords and are directly related to your website. Good content can help improve search engine ranking and offers your visitors more to read.

9. Offer Transcripts as an emailed newsletter to subscribers
Email them the transcripts, along with information about your website or products. This is another opportunity to connect with your audience and potential customers.

10. Get your Podcast Content to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community
Thousands of deaf people use the internet and are eager to get the information you discuss on your show. Present it to them in an accessible format.

11. Publish the Transcript as an Article
Send the article to magazines, newspapers or other print publications not on the web. Increase your audience and maybe even get paid for the article.

12. Make Audio Content Accessible by Search Engines
Search engines often can't "read" your audio content. Providing it as a transcript means search engines can use it when spidering your site.

13. Help Your listeners be Pro-Active and Take Action
Listening requires remembering what information was presented or jotting it down. But reading online gives your audience a clickable link that they can immediately take action on.

As the world of podcasting grows having a transcript of your show can help you build your audience, rank higher with search engines and maybe even bring in some additional income.