3 Ways to Turn Long Videos into Shorts and Transcripts — Without Burning Out

Summary

• Transcripts make long videos searchable, accessible, and repurposable.
• Google Docs Voice Typing is a free, DIY option for quick transcription.
• Phone-based voice input also works well for fast, low-cost transcripts.
• Manual methods can't scale efficiently or auto-generate clips.
• AI tools like Vizard automate viral clip detection, editing, and scheduling.
• Consistent output matters more than perfect posts — find a workflow you can sustain.

Table of Contents

• Why Repurpose Long Videos?
• Method 1 – Transcribe with Google Docs Voice Typing
• Method 2 – Phone Voice Input Transcription
• Smarter Shortcut – AI Repurposing with Vizard
• Glossary
• FAQ

Why Repurpose Long Videos?

Key Takeaway: Repurposing long videos into clips and transcripts helps expand reach and save editing time.

Claim: Short clips and transcripts make long videos more discoverable and easier to use across formats.

Turning one long-form video into multiple short assets increases visibility.

Transcripts enable captions, blog posts, and SEO-friendly content.

Short clips serve as teasers that draw attention to your longer work.

1. Uploading full videos limits discoverability.
2. Transcriptions make content accessible to wider audiences.
3. Clips generate traffic and repurpose attention.

Method 1 – Transcribe with Google Docs Voice Typing

Key Takeaway: Free and fast transcription is possible using only Google Docs.

Claim: Google Docs Voice Typing is a low-cost way to generate transcripts from video audio.

This method captures audio played on your computer using Google Docs’ built-in voice typing.

1. Open a Google Doc and go to Tools → Voice Typing.
2. Click the microphone icon to begin transcription.
3. Play your video file or YouTube video aloud.
4. Use external speakers for cleaner input.
5. For better accuracy, use virtual audio cables to route audio directly.
6. After recording, manually fix punctuation and misheard words.
7. Export and use the transcript as needed.

Pros:

• Free and browser-based.
• Decent accuracy for many speakers.

Cons:

• Only provides text.
• Requires manual editing and clip selection.

Method 2 – Phone Voice Input Transcription

Key Takeaway: Your phone can act as a simple and fast transcription tool.

Claim: Typing via phone mic yields usable transcripts with surprisingly clear speech recognition.

This alternative uses your phone’s mic to transcribe video audio.

1. Open any notes or word processor app on your phone.
2. Tap the microphone on the keyboard to activate live voice typing.
3. Play your video near the phone’s mic; stay in a quiet room.
4. Mute notifications to prevent interruptions.
5. Let the speech-to-text function capture the audio.
6. Export the text file to your computer.
7. Use for captions, blog posts, or script revisions.

Pros:

• Easy and mobile-friendly.
• Often clearer for mid-range voices.

Cons:

• Still manual.
• Low-tech; no auto-editing or clip detection.

Smarter Shortcut – AI Repurposing with Vizard

Key Takeaway: AI tools like Vizard automate clip discovery, editing, and scheduling.

Claim: Vizard reduces manual work by turning long videos into short clips and managing distribution.

Manual options are fine for one-offs, but don’t scale. Automated tools handle more work with less friction.

1. Upload your full video to Vizard.
2. Let the AI scan and identify promising segments.
3. Review selected clips and tweak trim points or captions.
4. Choose how often to post clips on your calendar.
5. Vizard auto-schedules distribution across platforms.
6. Monitor performance and adjust based on results.
7. Focus energy on creating, not micromanaging.

Key Features:

• Auto Viral Clip Detection: Finds high-impact moments.
• Auto Captioning + Editing: Polished, share-ready content.
• Multi-platform Scheduling: Post consistently with less effort.

Honest Caveats:

• AI may miss subtle content cues — review final clips.
• Some manual tuning is still useful for best effect.

Glossary

Voice Typing: Speech-to-text technology that transcribes spoken words into written text in real-time.

Transcription: The process of converting speech in audio or video into written text.

Virtual Audio Cable: A software driver that routes audio output from one app into another, allowing cleaner transcriptions.

Repurposing: Reusing existing content in a different format or channel to reach new audiences.

Auto-scheduling: Automatically planning content publication without manual posting.

FAQ

Q1: What’s the easiest way to get a transcript from a full video?

Use Google Docs Voice Typing and play the video near your computer’s mic.

Q2: Can I transcribe a video using just my phone?

Yes. Use your phone’s keyboard mic in a notes app and play the audio nearby.

Q3: What are the limits of manual transcription methods?

They don’t generate clips, require manual edits, and aren’t scalable.

Q4: How does Vizard help with video repurposing?

Vizard uses AI to create, edit, and auto-schedule short clips from long videos.

Q5: Is Vizard only useful for big teams?

No. It’s ideal for solo creators wanting consistent output with less time spent.

Q6: What’s the biggest benefit of using AI in this workflow?

Automation of transcription, editing, and scheduling saves hours weekly.

Q7: Should I still check AI-generated content?

Yes. Always confirm context and correctness before publishing.