Transcribe WhatsApp Audio Automatically
TABLE OF CONTENTS
In today's fast-paced digital world, voice messages have become an increasingly popular form of communication. However, there are times when you might prefer to have these audio messages in text format. Whether it's for easy reference, accessibility, or simply personal preference, having a way to automatically transcribe your WhatsApp audio messages can be incredibly useful. In this blog post, we'll walk you through a simple automation process that does just that.
The Problem: Audio Messages That Need Transcription
We've all been there - you receive an important voice note on WhatsApp, but you're in a situation where you can't listen to it. Maybe you're in a meeting, on public transport without headphones, or simply prefer reading to listening. Whatever the reason, having these audio messages automatically transcribed can be a game-changer.
The Solution: Automated WhatsApp Audio Transcription
We're going to set up an automation that will transcribe your WhatsApp audio messages automatically. This setup is particularly handy if you frequently send yourself audio notes or if you have colleagues or clients who often send you tasks via audio messages.
What You'll Need
- Deepgram: An excellent transcription service with a generous free trial and affordable pricing.
- Timelines.ai: An app that connects your WhatsApp to Zapier.
- Zapier: The automation platform that will tie everything together.
Step-by-Step Guide
1. Set Up Your Accounts
Before we begin, make sure you have accounts set up with Deepgram, Timelines.ai, and Zapier. You'll need to connect your WhatsApp number to Timelines.ai as well.
2. Create a New Zap in Zapier
Log into Zapier and click on "Create Zap". Zapier works on an "if this, then that" model, which we'll use to create our automation.
3. Set Up the Trigger
- Choose Timelines.ai as your trigger app
- Select "New Received Message" as the event
- Connect your Timelines.ai account and test the trigger
4. Add Deepgram Action
- Add Deepgram as an action step
- Choose "Create Transcription with Plain Text" as the event
- Connect your Deepgram account
- In the setup, use the audio URL from the Timelines.ai trigger
5. Send Transcription Back to WhatsApp
- Add another action step, choosing Timelines.ai again
- Select "Send Message to Existing Chat" as the event
- Map the necessary fields (Chat ID, Account Phone Number, WhatsApp Chat JID)
- For the message text, use the transcription output from Deepgram
6. Add a Filter (Optional but Recommended)
To prevent errors when text messages are received, add a Filter step by Zapier. Set it to only continue if the "message text" does not exist.
7. Publish Your Zap
Once you've tested each step, publish your Zap to activate the automation.
Expanding Your Automation
This is just the beginning! You can expand this workflow to suit your needs. For example, you could send the transcriptions to your preferred task management tool, be it Google Tasks, Notion, or any of the 6,000+ apps available on Zapier.
Conclusion
With this simple automation, you've now got a powerful tool at your disposal. No more struggling to listen to audio messages in inconvenient situations - your WhatsApp voice notes will be automatically transcribed and sent back to you as text. This can save time, improve accessibility, and make managing your communications much more efficient.
Remember, automation is all about making your life easier and your workflows smoother. If you have other processes you'd like to automate or need help setting this up, don't hesitate to reach out for a free consultation. Happy automating!
