Audio File formats working on Express Scribe

Hi all. I received this question regarding transcription and decided to answer it on my blog. 

Question: "I definitely want to include transcription as a service later on in my business.  I am in the process of learning and reading all there is about transcription.

I would say the best way to get into it all would be to actually do transcription exercises by transcribing from audio files that you load onto Express Scribe.

Now that is where my problem starts.  The only thing I can get loaded on Express Scribe is songs from a CD.  Now when I try to load a voice recording that was recorded with a cellular phone ( Samsung Galaxy Note) , and then emailed to me, I can not seem to get it loaded.  It says "the 3ga format is not supported by Express Scribe".

Either I am trying to load voice recordings that can not be loaded on Express Scribe, or I am going about this all wrong.

Is there certain software I need to make audio files like voice recordings able to load onto Express Scribe?  I probably need to save the voice recordings as another type of file or I do not know!  Could it be that it must be voice recordings from certain devices other than a cellular phone?  I do not know what I must do to get it right as I do not even know what I`m doing wrong.  I am really eager to do this!

Please can you give me some advice on this matter?  It would be greatly appreciated!"

Hi there. I think the basic answer to this is that Express Scribe is not compatible with all file formats.  See here to see which ones they are compatible with.  The paid or pro version of Express Scribe can play more formats than the free one can. 

However, all is not lost. One of my favourite programs is a free download called Any Audio Converter. It can also be a bit of a misnomer, as it does NOT convert ANY audio and I actually think that 3ga is one of the ones it doesn't do. But it does convert most of them into formats that can be played with the free Express Scribe. However, that doesn't really answer your question.  So here's what does. The internet is our friend. It tells us the answer to most things, including how to get 3ga converted to MP3, which works in Express Scribe. See this link, the author of which has found the solution to your particular problem: http://www.blinkycab.com/forum/index.php?topic=819.0

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What to do during maternity

This question came in from a transcriptionist this morning. Interesting one, answers? (I have removed her email but will forward comments) Morning Ladies (and Gents – not sure?)

I am in a bit of a predicament.  I am having my third baby end April.  Even now, finding the time to work is a huge mission.  You other work at home moms must know what I’m on about.  So do I close down altogether?  Or do I find a handful of typists to assist me until I get back on my feet.  I don’t really want to close down altogether, this company is very close to my heart.  

So ... I am looking for a handful of people that I can try out until the end of the year.   I will proof read everything that is done for me, for a while, but then I’m hoping by the time baby comes, I shouldn’t have to proof read at all, because by then it’s done the way I want it.    I will give them a full set of instructions on how I set out my transcripts and any other rules etc to help them along.

So ... after all that, are there any ladies out there looking for more work?  If you are interested, could you send me a bit of a CV, nothing formal.  Some references would be great too.  Also your rates – urgent and standard.

Thanks for taking the time out to read this.   I hope to hear from some of you soon.  You may mail me directly at the below email address.

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Transcription and typing services Johannesburg

WE SPECIALISE IN TRANSCRIPTION, TYPING, SOCIAL MEDIA, WRITING, PROOFREADING AND ALL OTHER BUSINESS ADMIN SERVICES! BOOKKEEPING / ACCOUNTING SOLUTION PROVIDED

Contact us: gaynor@typewritetranscription.co.za / +27834424689 / Fax 0880116155633

Please follow our blog and we encourage you to share our posts as guest posts on your blog as long as you link back to us.

And you know when Mari Smith talks to us AGAIN we are getting places!

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Non-traditional Marketing

Today I would like to talk briefly about offline marketing or non traditional marketing. I must admit that when I started my business in 2005, and for many years thereafter, I marketed entirely online. And this works great. Initially, I used my website, this blog, my Facebook business page (when it became available), submitted to directories like Gumtree, etc, etc. It was a 24 hour job to get my name out there, and I didn't rest, doing it night after night while I had my full time job, and day and night after night after I began doing it full time.

However, last year a friend of mine started his own business and I followed his progress with interest, noting his style of marketing his business offline. He went the whole hog getting Tshirts done, pens and other corporate products made. I don't necessarily advocate this type of approach when your business is going to be mainly online, but it does depend on the type of service you offer and how big your company is going to be.

At that stage I remembered that I HAD done some offline marketing in my time of starting the business. I printed notices, brochures, etc and distributed them at all the local shopping centres including pinning them up on notice boards. I walked the streets of our suburb flat distributing brochures and telling people what I did.

Last year however on the back of my friend promoting his business, I entered into a barter agreement with a local printing company and had them print brochures for me. These I hand out EVERYWHERE.

What do you do for your offline marketing activities?

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Santa Shoebox

Hey everybody, 

There are many people who would like to give a little extra at Christmas but don't know how. It's not easy to get to a place to drop off donations, or you don't know specific organisations or places or people to give to, or you need a little direction. 

The Santa Shoebox project needs your help. And it's also something your company can do .... to fill that corporate social investment need. 

The Santa Shoebox Project is an inspiring community initiative of the Kidz2Kidz Trust (IT2671/2009, PBO 930031301 Section18A NPO 102-098) that co-ordinates the donation, collection and distribution of personalized gifts at Christmas time to underprivileged children across South Africa and Namibia. 

Participating is a profoundly valuable and personal experience with each donor selecting the child he or she chooses to pledge a Santa Shoebox for by name, gender and age. 

 

They have 85,000 boxes pledged and they need to get to 100,000. We can't have some children not receiving anything while their friends do. Get to it!! Typewrite Transcription is fully in support of this initiative and salutes the Santa Shoebox organisers. Please remember to like us on Facebook and follow the blog. You are more than welcome to reference our material or follow our blog but please link back to us.