Nov 7, 2025

How to Write a Transcript of an Interview: Step-by-Step for Beginners

by Content Specialist2 minute read

Transcribing an interview is a core competency for journalists, academics, practitioners, and researchers. A transparent and honest record of the dialogue is made by a well-written transcript, which simplifies analysis and cross-referencing. The process of transcription can be daunting if you are starting out. Following a methodical sequence will allow you to accurately and quickly transcribe interviews. You will be led through this article's point-by-point approach to creating an interview transcript, and why you should choose Verbalscripts as your professional transcription partner.

 

What Is an Interview Transcript?

It is a written, word-for-word record of a spoken conversation. It captures every question, answers, pause, and even nonverbal cues (if necessary) to provide a complete discussion reference. Transcripts are helpful for:

●      Research and academic studies

●      Legal and medical documentation

●      Podcast and video content creation

●      Journalism and media reporting

●      Business meetings and HR interviews


 

Now, let's dive into creating an accurate transcript step-by-step.

Step 1: Get ready for Transcription

Preparation is vital before you begin transcription. Preparation done well will help to streamline and speed up the transcription process.

 

1.1 Accumulate Appropriate Items

An effective interview transcription requires the right equipment. Some essential tools are:

●      A laptop or computer for formatting and typing the transcript.

●      Headphones for listening carefully to the interview.

●      Transcription programs—including Express Scribe or Sonix—assist in streamlining playback.

●      Automated transcription and text editing software, like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, helps with formatting and storage.

●      A foot pedal (optional) could enable hands-free playback control and accelerate transcription.

 

Furthermore, VerbalScripts is a perfect pick for transcription since it offers 100% human transcription. VerbalScripts depends on skilled transcriptionists, guaranteeing every report to be of excellent accuracy and quality.

 

1.2 Decide the form of the transcript

Depending on the level of detail called for, several sorts of transcripts abound:

Verbatim Transcribed: Grabs every word, filler (example: "um," "uh"), and non-verbal cues—including laughter and pauses.

Clean (Intelligent) Verbatim Transcript: Ommits superfluous fillers and amends grammatical mistakes.

Summary Transcript: The main ideas under discussion are recapitulated rather than a verbatim transcription given.

 

Step 2: Listen to the Interview

Give the whole interview a hearing at least once before you get started with keystrokes. This works to your benefit since you:

●      Get to know the voices and inflections of the speakers.

●      See the way communication moves.

●      Identify technical terms or jargon.

●      Identify fuzzy audio parts that might call for clarification.

●      Attentive listening also helps you to determine whether you need to use the frequent technique of slowing down the playback rate to improve transcription accuracy.

 

Step 3: Initialise Transcription

3.1 Play and Pause Strategy

●      Play the interview a little segment—a couple of seconds long.

●      Stop and type what you can hear.

●      Keep repeating the procedure until your transcription is finished.

 

Services like VerbalScripts guarantee that professional transcriptionists manually transcribe the text, lowering the risk of mistakes and inexactitudes usually seen in AI-generated transcripts.

 

3.2 Utilize Timestamps

Adding timestamps aids in identifying essential events in the dialogue. When creating word-for-word transcripts, it is especially beneficial to use them.

 

3.3 Recognize Speakers

Designate every speaker. For interviews involving two people, apply labels such as:

Interviewee: My business began in 2010…

Give distinctive speaker labels for group interviews—for instance, Speaker 1, Speaker 2, or names if they exist.

 

Step 4: Organize and revise the transcript

4.1 Verify for Accuracy

Review the document following the first transcription to fix errors like:

●      Slurred words

●      Errors in grammar and punctuation

●      Wrong spelling errors

 

4.2 Normalize Formatting

●      Make the transcript read consistently in format.

●      Clearly label your speakers.

●      Maintain the proper paragraph breaks and spacing.

●      Select a legible font.

 

4.3 Eliminate Unneeded Fillers

Remove superfluous repetitions and filler words like "um," and "you know" to make your clean transcript more readable.

 

Step 5: Last review and save the transcript.

5.1 Run a last review

Read the document one more time to double-check:

●      Precision of material.

●      Good punctuation and grammar.

●      Accurate speaker designations and timestamps.

 

Using VerbalScripts will have already guaranteed the accuracy and proper formatting of the file, so sparing you time and work.

 

5.2 Save the Transcript and Share it.

Preserve the transcript in an appropriate format using:

●      .docx Word document: for simple editing.

●      PDF (.pdf) – for secured document access.

●      .txt, plain text—compatible across several devices.

 

If needed, deliver the transcript over email or a file-sharing platform to appropriate contacts.

 

Tips for Efficient Transcription

●      Suppose you need great precision but lack the time to transcribe manually. Use Professional Transcription Services like VerbalScripts, which offers human-generated transcriptions with great attention to accuracy.

●      In your transcription software, slow down the playback speed if the speakers speak too fast.

●      Many transcription tools provide keyboard command options for pausing, reversing, and fast-forwarding.

●      Since transcription can be mentally taxing, get brief pauses to keep your attention.

●      With noise-canceling headphones, background noise can be filtered out, simplifying clear word hearing.

●      If you're transcribing a technological or academic interview, study popular vocabulary ahead to get used to the sector jargon.

●      Split more extended interviews into shorter sections to keep precision and prevent exhaustion since they run more than 30 minutes.

●      Divide the work among several transcribers when working on a big project to hasten the process.

 

Why VerbalScripts should be your top choice for transcription

VerbalScripts is the best selection among several transcription solutions for beginners and professionals. It presents:

●      100% human transcription: Unlike artificial intelligence-based transcription solutions, experienced experts produce all documents personally.

●      High Accuracy: Every transcript goes through quality checks to guarantee exactitude.

●      Confidentiality: Strict privacy policies ensure careful management of sensitive data.

●      Time Efficiency: Professional transcribers work closely and quickly to produce correct transcripts.

●      Cost-Effective: Compared to hiring in-house transcribers, VerbalScripts provides an affordable and reliable alternative.

●      Customized Formatting: Transcripts are formatted based on client preferences to suit various professional needs.

 

Verbalscripts allows beginners and experts to get top-quality transcripts without concern over automatic machine mistakes.


Verbalscript's transcription process

To guarantee the best accuracy and quality in transcription, VerbalScripts follows a methodical and meticulous approach:

Audio Upload – Customers use a secure system to upload their video or audio files.

Assignment to Transcriptionists – Experienced human transcriptionists in several fields are assigned to transcribe the files manually.

Initial Transcription –The transcriptionist listens carefully and types out every word, ensuring clarity and accuracy.

Quality Check – The transcript is double-checked by a senior editor for mistakes and to guarantee it accurately reflects the original recording.

Formatting and Final Editing – The document is formatted as the customer demands to maintain its organization and clarity throughout.

Final Review and Approval – A last check is done to ensure the transcript satisfies Verbalscript's quality standards before distribution.

Delivery to the Client – The finished transcript is securely sent using the preferred file type (Word, PDF, etc.), guaranteeing confidentiality and accuracy.

 

VerbalScripts ensures 100% human transcription by following these precise processes, guaranteeing a degree of accuracy artificial intelligence-based solutions cannot surpass.

 

 

Benefits of Video or Audio Interviews Transcription:

Better Accessibility– Written transcripts enable deaf people access to the material.

Easier Content Analysis – Professionals and researchers can quickly check the main ideas without hearing the whole recording.

Searchability – Textual transcripts enable clients to search for particular terms or phrases effortlessly.

Content Repurposing – Transcripts are usable in articles, blog posts, reports, and other written products.

Legal and Compliance Requirements – Recordkeeping and compliance objectives in several fields call for transcripts, as they can fully serve that purpose.

 


Finally

At first, knowing how to produce an interview transcript might be difficult; one finds it simpler with practice and the proper resources. Thorough planning, close listening, and precise editing produce first-class transcripts that are invaluable communication records. Learning transcription is a practical ability that would be valuable in many sectors, whether you are a corporate executive, journalist, or student.

Transcribing interviews will be seamless, enhancing accuracy and speed with the correct approach and the top transcription tool. Choose VerbalScripts for the most reliable transcription experience, as it guarantees 100% human accuracy.

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