Podcast Tools to Streamline Processes
Author: Patricia Jenkins
I’ve been looking for tools to help me streamline processes and help with my overall productivity; hence, I started using the following apps, Editpoint and Otter.ai. I primarily use Editpoint to listen to recordings when I’m out of my office and Otter.ai for all my transcription needs.
Editpoint
With Editpoint you can play files in the following formats:
Wav
MP3
AAC
If you have multiple tracks, you will need to mix down to MP3 as you won’t be able to play the recording otherwise.
You can upload your file to the app from iCloud or google, then listen and select your timestamps to edit your content later. One of the things I use the app for is to listen for stumbles or odd noises in the background; if there are any, I mark it in the app and it gives me a timestamp so I know where to edit later.
The buttons within the app are customizeable so you can use words that make sense to you and your editor. For instance if there is a long pause in the audio, I can tap the shorten gap button and another time stamp will be generated. When I’ve finished listening to the audio I email the list of timestamps to myself and use it to edit the audio when I’m back at my desk.
I think Editpoint is convenient, I like to use it when I’m on the go, to help me stay productive. If you have co-host(s) and you all have input into how your show should be edited it might be a good tool for you to use.
Otter.ai
Another app that i’ve found very useful, is Otter.ai; because podcast transcripts are becoming increasingly more important in the industry. Podcast listeners often take time to read show notes and Otter makes the process so much easier. Transcripts can be used in a number of ways, you can use them to help write show notes or create a blog post to accompany your episode. You can pull quotes from the file and use them for social media audiograms.
Transcripts play an important part in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) as well; because as people use keywords in their searches, words from your podcast transcript will help your show be discovered. Another advantage is it makes your show more accessible. Think about the hearing-impaired community; a transcript provides access to your audio.
Now that I’ve shared the importance of transcripts, let me tell you more about the app. First, there are a few options for transcription but so far for me Otter seems to have the best free tier. You upload your file or video, press start and the transcript is generated. Along with that, the accuracy is quite high; I was very pleased with the results.
Overall
It’s always important to find new tools to help you simplify your podcast production workflow. Automation and new tools go far in ensuring you don’t get burnt out.