What Is a Podcast Transcript and Why Is It Important?

There’s a podcast for just about everything these days. Podcasts attract 15 million regular listeners in the UK, covering everything from current events to historical deep dives, fictional serials and true crime – there’s something for everyone, but unfortunately, that doesn’t mean everyone can enjoy any podcast they want. 

Even some of the world’s most popular podcasts lack one vital ingredient that opens their content to a whole new audience: a transcript. 

A podcast transcript is a written counterpart to your show, typically a transcription of the whole audio experience, so people can consume it as a long-form article – ideal for people like me who are deaf, or even just those who prefer to read rather than listen.

What’s even more surprising is that many podcasters are more likely to invest in adding a video element to their show compared to a written one! While a video podcast might seem ‘sexier’ than a transcript, I know which is a cheaper initial investment for any creator. Plus, if you do have a video element, transcription and captioning go hand-in-hand, another reason to invest in a podcast transcription service like mine. 

 

The benefits of a podcast transcript

I’ve already touched on why I believe every podcast should have a transcript, but did you know there are actually many great benefits to putting your show into words? 

Improves accessibility

Podcasts are typically delivered in audio format, sometimes with a video element… but with over 11 million people in the UK alone who are deaf or hard of hearing, there are lots of people missing out on your show. A transcript means that people can enjoy your podcast in a form that suits them – for many people, including myself, that means reading the transcript (or watching the video with captions). 

I might be showing my age here, but I vividly remember popping 888 into Ceefax so I could watch my favourite shows with subtitles. Fast forward 20 years and people make their own entertainment now… technology has grown so quickly that you can record and produce a top quality YouTube show or Spotify podcast from your home. Something as simple as a transcript pales in comparison to the complexities of modern video and audio editing, so there’s really no excuse for not investing in this side of your podcast.

Boosts SEO 

You read that right – a podcast transcript can help you rise up the Google rankings! How? Well, a podcast transcript can act as a blog article alongside your audio file, meaning Google can scan the transcript for keywords and gain a more accurate understanding of what your show is about and, therefore, what search queries it meets.

And if that’s not enough, the podcast transcript also provides an excellent platform for inbound and outbound links – still a vital part of Google’s ranking strategy. If you have a guest on your podcast, for example, you can ask them to link on their website to your blog article that includes the transcript and the embedded audio player, meaning your website benefits from that sweet link juice, rather than them linking to Spotfy, Apple Music or any other podcast-hosting platform. 

Equally, you can link out to your guests’ websites and other useful resources, giving them more inclination to appear on your show. To learn more about how podcasting can boost your SEO strategy, check out this article from Moz.

Bring new eyes to your blog

When you’re a content creator, it feels like a constant uphill battle to stay relevant. From updating your social media to publishing a regular newsletter, writing informative blog articles and creating podcast episodes… it’s no wonder that many people struggle to do it all. 

Effective content marketing isn’t about creating more, it’s about doing more with what you’re already going to do. A podcast transcript is a great example of this. It can act as a blog article, which you can then share with your audience on social media or include a link to in your email newsletter. You could even take snippets from your transcript and use a tool like Canva to make fun quote graphics for Facebook, or take some of the key bullet points as a basis for a LinkedIn post. 

Creating content doesn’t have to feel like running on a hamster wheel, use what you have and adapt it for different platforms – your transcript will offer so many opportunities you hadn’t considered when your podcast was audio-only! 

 

What makes a good podcast transcript

Ok, so now you’re convinced that you need a podcast transcription service, let’s look at what makes an excellent podcast transcript.  

Links, links and more links

It’s not easy to point listeners towards the source of a statistic or to the website of a creator you referenced on the audio version of your podcast. Fortunately, you can pop all reference links into your podcast, so your audience can explore the subject in their own time (and your guests get a healthy SEO boost at the same time!). 

Clear formatting

If your podcast has more than one speaker, a transcript must show who is speaking, otherwise, you risk causing quite the confusion! Fortunately, proper formatting can help make sure that the transcript is an accurate representation of the podcast’s audio experience. 

Accessible design

If you are publishing your podcast on your blog, then your web designer will help to make sure your blog is accessible. From font size to line spacing, font style and colour combinations, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to digital accessibility – fortunately, I know a bit about that, too. Check out my digital accessibility audit service to find out more. 

Of course, if this all seems a bit intimidating, you can always outsource to an expert (like me!). Get in touch today to book a consultation about making your podcast even better.