Otter.ai Basic Guide
Otter.ai is available on both iOS and Android devices, as well as through the web browser.
Mobile App:
Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Search for Otter.ai and download the app.
Open the app and sign up for an account using your email or connect through Google, Microsoft, or Apple.
Web Version:
Go to Otter.ai website and sign up for an account to access the web version.
Otter.ai offers advanced features for transcription, including automatic speech recognition, text editing, and collaboration tools.
Real-Time Transcription
Live Captioning: During meetings or conversations, Otter.ai can transcribe speech into text in real-time. You can use it to follow conversations, lectures, or discussions.
Import Audio/Video Files
Transcribe Recorded Files: You can upload audio or video files into Otter.ai, and it will process the file to provide a text transcription.
Meeting Notes
Generate Meeting Notes: Use Otter.ai during work meetings or webinars to generate accurate notes, which you can share with team members or participants afterward.
Collaboration and Sharing
Share Transcripts: You can share your transcripts with others via a shareable link or export them as text documents. Team members can also collaborate on transcriptions.
Live Transcription:
Open the Otter.ai app and tap the Record button to start capturing a conversation or meeting.
As people speak, Otter.ai will display the transcribed text in real-time on your screen.
To stop recording, tap Stop and the app will save the transcription in your library for later review.
Uploading Audio/Video Files:
From the main screen, tap the Upload button (or go to the web version and click Import).
Select an audio or video file from your device.
Otter.ai will process the file and provide a transcription within minutes.
Editing and Highlighting:
After your transcription is complete, you can edit the text manually by clicking on any part of the transcription.
Use the Highlight feature to emphasize key points or sections by selecting text and tapping the highlight tool.
Sharing and Exporting:
Tap the Share button to create a shareable link for others to view the transcription.
You can also export the transcription as a text file (.txt) or Word document (.docx).
Otter.ai is designed to facilitate teamwork and collaboration in meetings. Here’s how to use its collaboration features:
Invite Collaborators: You can invite team members or participants to join a live transcription or review a transcript. They can comment, highlight, and edit as well.
Team Meetings: During a meeting, team members can follow along with the transcription in real-time and add comments or notes.
Otter.ai allows you to organize your transcriptions into folders for better management. You can create different folders for various projects or topics and move related transcriptions into these folders.
Create Folders: From the main screen, tap the Folders tab, then create a new folder and drag transcriptions into it.
Otter.ai allows you to train its system to recognize custom vocabulary and identify different speakers:
Add Custom Vocabulary: You can add specific terms or industry jargon to your custom vocabulary to improve transcription accuracy.
Speaker Identification: Otter.ai can identify and label different speakers in a conversation. You can manually assign names to speakers in the transcript or use the speaker recognition feature to automate this process.
Otter.ai offers both a free version and premium plans with additional features:
Free Plan: Includes 600 minutes of transcription per month, basic real-time transcription, and the ability to edit, highlight, and share transcripts.
Premium Plans: Offer unlimited transcription minutes, advanced collaboration tools, more accurate speaker identification, custom vocabulary, and integration with apps like Zoom.
Ensure Clear Audio: For the best transcription results, ensure that the audio is clear, with minimal background noise.
Use an External Microphone: If possible, use an external microphone for better sound quality during meetings or conversations.
Review and Edit: After a transcription is complete, take time to review and make any necessary edits for accuracy.
Otter.ai can integrate with apps like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams to provide real-time transcription during video conferences.
Zoom Integration: You can link your Otter.ai account with Zoom to provide live transcription during meetings.
Google Meet and Teams: Otter.ai also works alongside these platforms by recording and transcribing meetings in real-time.
If you need assistance with the app or have any questions, Otter.ai offers support through:
Otter.ai Help Center: Otter.ai Support
Otter.ai Blog: Access tutorials and tips on how to use the app effectively.
Here is a helpful video tutorial for getting started with Otter.ai:
This video explains how to use Otter.ai for transcription, meetings, and more.