How do you handle transcription challenges such as background noise, accents, or jargon?

1 Use a good microphone

One of the most common sources of transcription errors is poor audio quality, which can be caused by low-quality or poorly positioned microphones, as well as external noise and interference. To avoid this, use a good microphone that can capture your voice clearly and filter out unwanted sounds. Ideally, use a headset or a lapel microphone that is close to your mouth and reduces ambient noise. Avoid using your computer's built-in microphone or speakers, as they can pick up echoes and feedback.

3 Provide context and glossary

Sometimes, transcription software or service may not be familiar with the context or terminology of your video conference, especially if you are discussing a niche topic or using jargon, acronyms, or abbreviations. To help them understand and transcribe your content accurately, you can provide some context and glossary before or during your video conference. For example, you can introduce the topic and the speakers, explain the purpose and objectives of your video conference, and define any key terms or concepts that you will use. You can also share a document or a link that contains relevant information or references that can assist the transcription process.

4 Review and edit your transcript

Finally, no matter how good your audio quality, speech clarity, or context and glossary are, you should always review and edit your transcript before using or sharing it. This will help you catch and correct any transcription errors, such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, formatting, or content mistakes. You can also use some tools or features that can help you with this task, such as spell checkers, grammar checkers, timestamps, speaker labels, or highlighters. You can also compare your transcript with the original audio or video recording to ensure that nothing is missing or inaccurate.