Quick Answer
There are a few different ways to get a transcript from a LinkedIn video:
- Turn on captions while watching the video and copy/paste the text
- Use a third party transcription service or software to generate a transcript
- Request a transcript from the video creator
- Try using LinkedIn’s auto-generated captions if available
The easiest options are to turn on captions if the video has them enabled, or to use a third party transcription service. Transcription services can analyze the audio from a video and convert it to text transcripts. Some services may charge a fee.
If those options don’t work, you can try reaching out to the video creator directly to request a transcript. However, they may not always be able or willing to provide one.
Turning on Captions in LinkedIn Videos
Many LinkedIn videos have captions enabled by default or available to turn on while viewing. Here’s how to turn on captions on both desktop and mobile:
Desktop
Step 1: Start playing the LinkedIn video and click the “CC” button in the bottom right corner of the video player.
Step 2: This will open up the captions menu. Click “Show captions” to enable captions.
Step 3: The captions will now display as the video plays. You can copy and paste the text from here into a document to save or share the transcript.
Mobile App
Step 1: Tap the video to open it in full screen mode. Tap the three dots “…” icon in the top right.
Step 2: Select “Show Captions” from the menu.
Step 3: The captions will appear. You can copy the text or take screenshots to save the transcript.
The benefit of using the built-in captions is that it’s free and easy to access. The downside is that only some videos will have captions available. If not, you’ll need to try one of the other options.
Using a Transcription Service
If the LinkedIn video doesn’t have captions enabled, the next option is to use a third-party transcription service. Some popular options include:
- Rev
- Temi
- GoTranscript
- Scribie
Here is the general process to use a transcription service:
Step 1: Copy the Video Link
Go to the LinkedIn video page and copy the URL of the video you want to transcribe. You’ll need to provide this to the transcription service.
Step 2: Upload to the Transcription Service
Go to your chosen service’s website and follow their instructions to upload or input the LinkedIn video URL. Some services may require you to download the video first before uploading.
Step 3: Pay for the Transcription
Most professional transcription services charge a fee for transcribing videos. Costs vary but can range from $0.10 – $1.50 per minute of audio. The video length and turnaround time impact the cost.
Step 4: Receive the Transcript
Once you pay for the transcription, you’ll receive a text document containing the video dialogue converted into text. This process usually takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
The benefits of using a service include accurate transcripts without having to transcribe the video manually. The downside is the cost involved. Prices vary depending on the service.
Requesting a Transcript from the Creator
For some LinkedIn videos, your best option may be to directly ask the creator to provide the transcript.
The steps would be:
- Go to the LinkedIn video post.
- Click the name of the account that posted it to go to their profile.
- Click “More” and then “Send message” to open up a message window.
- Politely ask the creator if they have a transcript or would be able to provide one for the specific video.
The advantage here is you may get the transcript for free directly from the source. The downside is the creator may not respond or may not be willing or able to provide the transcript themselves. But for some videos, it’s worth trying this method.
Using LinkedIn’s Auto-Generated Captions
In some cases, LinkedIn may provide auto-generated captions on videos uploaded directly to their platform. These are done automatically by machine transcription rather than a human.
To check for auto-generated captions:
- Go to the video post.
- Tap or click the three dots “…” icon.
- Select “Open transcript”.
If an automated transcript is available, you’ll be able to view and copy the text. These transcripts may not be completely accurate, but can be helpful. The benefit is they are free and quick to access.
Third Party Transcription Software
Alternatively, there are also software options that allow you to transcribe videos automatically on your own computer. Some examples include:
- Happy Scribe
- Sonix
- Transcribe by Wreally
- Speechmatics
To use third party software:
- Download the software to your computer.
- Upload or input the LinkedIn video file.
- Use the software to process the audio and detect speech.
- The text transcript will be generated.
- Edit the transcript as needed to correct any mistakes.
The advantages of local software are potential cost savings and fast processing without having to wait. The accuracy depends on the quality of the software. Reviewing and editing the transcript is recommended.
Manual Transcription
Finally, you can manually transcribe a LinkedIn video yourself. The steps are:
- Download and save the video file from LinkedIn.
- Play back the video in a media player that allows you to control the speed.
- Open a text document to type the transcript as you listen and rewind as needed.
- Pay close attention to the audio and repeatedly playback to ensure an accurate transcript.
- Edit the transcript for any corrections.
Doing your own transcription takes time and effort but costs nothing. It allows you to precisely capture every word. The downside is the process can be tedious and time-consuming for long videos.
Choosing the Best Transcription Method
To summarize, here are some tips on choosing the best option to get a transcript from a LinkedIn video:
- Built-in captions – Check if the video has captions you can turn on and copy.
- Transcription services – If no captions, use a service like Rev or GoTranscript for fast, accurate transcripts.
- Contact the creator – Request the transcript directly from the source if possible.
- Auto-generated captions – Check if LinkedIn has machine captions you can access.
- Software – Try transcription software like Happy Scribe to do it yourself.
- Manual – As a last resort, transcribe manually for free but slowly.
The best option depends on your specific needs and budget. Built-in captions provide the fastest free access if already enabled. Professional services offer convenience for a fee. Reaching out to the creator takes some effort but may pay off. Auto-captions, software, and manual transcription can be cheaper but imperfect. Choose the method that makes the most sense based on the context. With the right approach, you should be able to get a transcript of any LinkedIn video.
Table Comparing Transcription Methods
| Method | Cost | Accuracy | Turnaround Time | Effort Needed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built-in Captions | Free | High (if human-generated) | Instant | Minimal |
| Transcription Services | Paid | High | Hours/days | Low |
| Request from Creator | Potentially Free | High | Days/weeks | Moderate |
| Auto-Generated Captions | Free | Moderate | Very Fast | Minimal |
| Software | One-time cost | Moderate | Minutes/hours | Low-moderate |
| Manual Transcription | Free | Very High | Hours/days | High |
This table summarizes the key differences between the transcription options:
Key Takeaways
- Built-in captions provide the fastest access but may not always be available.
- Services offer top accuracy but cost per minute/hour.
- Creator requests, software and manual can be cheaper but have downsides.
- Auto-captions are quick but may have errors.
- Choose the option that best fits your priorities and situation.
Having this overview of the transcription methods can help guide you to selecting the right choice depending on your specific needs and constraints.
FAQs about Transcribing LinkedIn Videos
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about getting and using transcripts of LinkedIn videos:
Is transcribing LinkedIn videos allowed?
In most cases, transcribing LinkedIn videos for personal or educational use should be fine. Copyright issues may arise if you tried to monetize, distribute, or use large portions of the transcript without permission. But creating a transcript just for your own reference is normally okay under fair use.
Can I use a transcript commercially?
You typically need the creator’s direct permission before using a LinkedIn video transcript for commercial purposes. This includes translating, publishing, or distributing the full transcript for a profit. Brief excerpt quotes with attribution may be acceptable under fair use. But for legal certainty, get authorization from the copyright holder.
How accurate are auto-generated transcripts?
Auto-generated transcripts from machine transcription services utilize speech recognition technology. Accuracy can vary greatly depending on audio quality, background noise, speaker dialect, and other factors. Light editing is often required to correct minor mistakes. Critical reviews or analyses should not rely solely on auto-transcripts. Human-generated transcripts are more accurate.
How do I timestamp a transcript?
Most transcription services and software allow you to have a timestamp added for each line of the transcript. This indexes when in the video that piece of dialogue occurs. To manually add timestamps:
- Note the time when you hear a line of speech start.
- Insert the timestamp in [brackets] at the start of the line.
- Example: [00:53] Thank you for watching!
Timestamps are useful for citing quotes or navigating to key moments to review.
Can I edit the transcript text?
Light editing of transcripts solely for clarity and readability is generally permissible, but substantially rewriting or misrepresenting the original content is unethical. Make sure edits maintain the factual accuracy of the speaker’s statements. Critical analysis quotes should be verbatim. Any edits or omissions should be marked with ellipses (…) or [brackets].
Conclusion
Accessing transcripts of LinkedIn videos can be helpful for saving important insights, quoting content, and reviewing material more efficiently. Luckily there are now multiple options available. Finding and leveraging transcripts provides a great way to maximize the value of the abundant educational content available on LinkedIn. Hopefully this guide has helped explain the various methods to get a transcript from any LinkedIn video to suit your personal or professional needs. Let me know if you have any other questions!
