Modern, fast-paced society is getting increasingly more entertainment options in parallel to having less free time. One of the recent studies says an average adult has around 36-40 free hours in a week, from which about 70-130 minutes daily are dedicated to leisure, depending on the country. These statistics encourage podcasters to become more effective when promoting their shows to become a preferred entertainment option for consumers with limited time. On top of that, there are over 2,000,000 podcasts globally, making the competition harsher. Long story short, if you want to catch the listener's attention, you need to hook them with your content. And making a podcast trailer before your next episode comes out is one of the best working tactics for that. A podcast teaser is the best podcast moments put into a short intro video like a movie trailer. It's used to trigger listeners' interests and boost the show's popularity. And if you're not sure what's the right way to prepare the best podcast trailer, don't worry. We're diving into the pro tips for creating an insanely good podcast trailer right now.
Why Having a Podcast Trailer Is a Must?
Curiosity is the moving force. Half of the job is done if you make people interested in your product. And that's exactly why podcast trailers are so popular. They inform listeners about your show and whet their appetite not to miss the full episode when it's released. Providing your audience with your show's preview boosts your podcast's listenership. If created the right way, a podcast trailer makes listeners excited about the show and impatient to listen to it. Releasing a podcast trailer is an essential technique to allure your listeners with your upcoming content.
Another advantage of investing time and effort into creating a podcast trailer is that it allows you to have a complete picture of how your show will sound. By recording a trailer, authors try out different introduction techniques and see which one works better for a particular podcast episode.
Many prominent podcasters tend to release a trailer several weeks or even months before the show's premiere. This way, they gradually grow their audience and ensure that new listeners will be there on the release day.
Creating a podcast trailer is different from cooking up a tasty dish. Just like with any recipe, certain ingredients are essential for a good trailer. Today's article will provide you with the secret recipe for how to record the best podcast trailer.
What Should Be Included in the Podcast Trailer?
#1 Name of the Podcast
You might think including your show's name in your podcast trailer is a bit basic; however, it's one of the first things you should do. Don't forget that podcasts do not have a visual aid like social media posts do. So, you need to pronounce your show's name in your podcast trailer. After all, one of the goals of the teaser is to increase your show's brand awareness. A rule of thumb says it's good to have the podcast's name at least twice during a teaser.
#2 Show Description
If you want people to dedicate time to listen to your podcast, one of the first things you should do is introduce your show to them. Show description includes a short introduction of the podcast's host and the show itself. Your podcast teaser is a perfect place to talk about what value your show will bring to the listeners, what it’s about, etc. It's also a great chance to introduce yourself as a host and make personal connections.
#3 Call to Action
Once your listeners get interested in your podcast, make sure they know where they can get your podcast from. Include a clear call to action in your podcast trailer when you point to the source of your full-length show. Ideally, navigate them to your website. If you don't have an official website, tell them which podcast directory they can find your show at. Also, don't forget to mention the date and time when the podcast will be released.
How to Make a Podcast Trailer?
You've got the key points that your podcast teaser should cover. So, the next thing you should understand now is how to record a podcast teaser and the efforts required from you to do it. Fet's state that you can record a perfect podcast trailer without spending too much money on it. Also, you do not need to have professional equipment for that. Interested how? Read the five basic steps you need to complete below.
Brainstorm the Trailer’s Outline
Your podcast trailer should create strong associations with your show. So, you need to include your podcast’s main branding elements in it, such as intros and outros, podcast music, and some key expressions that the host often pronounces. In this regard, it’s a great idea to brainstorm with your team and jot out some ideas on the podcast trailer’s outline. You should include some fractions of your next episode, keeping listeners interested in what will happen next in the show. Other than that, the podcast trailer should include the highlights of your upcoming episode. This should serve as a hook for the listeners; therefore, it’s important not to give away too much and maintain their curiosity.
Stick Straight to the Point
The first thing a podcaster needs to ensure when looking for ways how to make a podcast trailer is a brief and concise message. It is best to make the podcast teaser around 60-90 seconds long, as this duration has shown to be the most effective in terms of people's attention spans. So, make sure not to ramble on and get straight to the point. Remember that you need to introduce the podcast, its hosts, and what the show is all about engagingly and interestingly. Also, do not forget to include a CTA at the end of your podcast teaser, telling listeners what they should do next, such as subscribe to your show or listen to your latest episode.
Be Aware of Microphone Speaking Tips
Recording a podcast trailer is not as complicated as it may seem at first. There are some microphone speaking tips if you want to sound professional and find efficient ways how to make a good podcast trailer. The first thing to do is to invest in a good quality microphone. This will ensure that your voice is clear and crisp, without any background noise. Many expert podcasters invest in top-notch quality podcast recording and editing software to enhance their voice.
No one likes when someone shouts at them! So, it's important to keep your voice at a moderate volume when recording the podcast trailer. Also, you need to be aware of your speed and pronunciation. Make sure to speak slowly and clearly, without mumbling your words. This way, listeners will be able to understand you and get more engaged with your content.
Avoid Tension: Keep It Relaxed
Add relaxing background music, think of light jokes to make, or take breaks in between recordings to keep it chilled. Use this approach to sound more natural and less tensed up, making the podcast trailer more conversational.
Some podcasters prefer adding a catchy tagline at the beginning of their podcast teaser. Taglines are short slogans often used in advertising to highlight a brand's main benefit, making it more memorable for the audience. So, if you want your podcast trailer to be unforgettable, consider coming with an attention-grabbing expression. Think of a sentence that would perfectly describe your podcast and make listeners want to subscribe to it.
Record a Podcast Trailer via Podcast Recording Software
When your podcast trailer is ready on paper, it’s time to turn it into a high-quality audio clip. And if you think you need to break the bank on producing a quality podcast teaser on your own, that’s a wrong assumption. With Podcastle, an audio recording and editing software, you can record high-quality audio and edit it without professional equipment.
There are many great options on the market. However, Podcastle is probably the one with a few more advanced features dedicated to podcasting. An advanced podcast recording software can make your trailer sound even more flawless. It's also very user-friendly, so you'll be able to get started with it right away, even if you don't have an audio recording background.
Get started with high-quality audio because your actual goal is to evoke your listeners' interest in the content you provide. You don't want to disappoint them with poor sound quality when they finally decide to give your show a chance. To reach better recording results, here are a few steps every podcaster needs to cover with Podcastle.
Step #1 Create a Free Account
Create a free Podcastle account to get started on the platform. The only information required is an email address and a strong password. Free accounts help newbies get a feel for the software and explore its features. You can always upgrade to the premium version later if you're satisfied with Podcastle offers. Moreover, the software has a 14-day trial period for everyone who wants to try the premium features before purchasing.
Step #2 Set Up Account and Launch Recording
Configure your input and output settings. Make sure you selected the right microphone from the list – it should be connected to your computer. If you don't see your microphone on the list, check if it's properly plugged in or try restarting your computer. Open the corresponding tool and start recording your trailer when you're all set.
Use Podcastle's Interview recording tool to record a sneak peek of your upcoming interviews. This is a creative way to introduce your listeners to the people they will hear on your show. Click on the Interview section from your profile's homepage and choose the Create button to record an interview.
The software has a built-in audio enhancement feature to make your recording sound as crisp as possible. However, you can always turn this feature off if you need the raw material with all the background noise.
Choose the file format you need and export your recording as soon as you're done. Podcastle offers its users to download their files in the best podcasting formats.
On top of that, most of Podcastle’s features, such as audio editor, are free to use. If you want to include a podcast intro in your trailer or add royalty-free music to it, you can do it in Podcastle, too. Head to the platform to start your recording right away!
Before You Go
Releasing podcast trailers before your show comes out is a well-working strategy for most podcasters. Added that it's dead simple to produce a podcast teaser with Podcastle, you should not miss this opportunity to increase your listenership and engagement with your show. So, there you have it - an in-and-out manual on how to make a podcast trailer to attract new listeners. Follow these simple tips, and you'll see your audience grow in no time!
