Podcast Trailer: How to Create the Hype?
A podcast trailer is a fantastic way to get listeners attracted to your show. Just like a movie trailer, it is designed to build anticipation. If you are into podcasting, one of the first steps in getting your show out to the masses is to have at least one full episode live in your RSS feed. To give yourself the best chance of success, it’s a great move to publish a trailer as soon as possible.
Not only will this allow you to submit your podcast feed to platforms like Apple and Spotify Podcasts, but it will also help build excitement and anticipation among your listeners. By getting a head start on this, you’ll be in a great position to hit the ground running when your podcast officially launches. Here’s how to make a trailer like a pro:
What Are Podcast Trailers?
Creating a trailer for your show is a great way to introduce your audience to what they can expect from your episodes and build excitement around your upcoming launch. A podcast trailer, also known as a podcast teaser, is a short introduction that gives a sneak peek of your exciting content and encourages listeners to tune in.
Whether you choose to roll out a video or audio trailer before a new season, you need to make your target audience familiar with your podcast and build anticipation for your upcoming episodes. By starting with a trailer, you can set the tone for your show and give listeners a taste of what you have to offer before your podcast officially airs.
Why Should You Create a Trailer for Your Podcast?
There are various reasons why a podcast needs a trailer. By embedding the trailer on the homepage of your website, you can creatively tell your listeners to get a glimpse of your content without the need to navigate through the site.
Additionally, your trailer can be featured and played on other podcasts, either through submissions to hosting platforms such as Libsyn’s The Feed or by entering into a mutual promotion agreement with other hosts to promote each other’s shows to your respective audiences.
Furthermore, having a trailer readily available is also a great way to land unexpected promotion opportunities, as other podcasters may discover your work and play your trailer on their own show.
Before you head below to know how to write, design, and record a trailer, here are two great podcast trailer examples handpicked by Apple Podcasts you might want to check out:
Create a Podcast Trailer – The Steps Involved
For creating the ultimate trailer, it’s crucial to adhere to a specific process. Here are the essential steps for producing a truly exceptional trailer:
Develop an Outline
Before embarking on the journey of crafting your trailer, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of the overall aesthetic and audio you desire. Take some time to ponder the tone and style you want to communicate in your trailer and jot down any inspiration that comes to mind. Developing an outline can serve as a roadmap to steer you in the right direction.
Brainstorm on Intros
As you begin to craft your trailer, it’s important to first consider the introductions and closing statements you’ll use to make a lasting impression on your audience. Think about the key message you want to convey and how you want to start and end your trailer to grab their attention.
Decide on the Highlights
Next, select the most compelling segments of your podcast to use as highlights. These snippets will serve as a teaser for potential listeners and give them a taste of what’s to come.
Write the Script
With your intros, outros, and highlights in mind, it’s time to put pen to paper and write the script for your trailer. Keep in mind the tone and style you want to convey and make sure your script aligns with those goals.
Record the Trailer
After the script is complete, it’s time to record it. Make sure to pay attention to pacing and enunciation to ensure the trailer is easy to understand and engaging. Remember to include any additional comments you may need for the final product.
Add Some Music
To enhance the listening experience, choose a piece of background music that complements the script and adds to the overall tone.
Review It Once
Finally, bring all the elements together and produce the trailer. Before finalizing, give it a listen to catch any errors.
With these steps in mind, you’ll be well on your way to creating the best podcast trailer that truly represents you and your podcast.
How to Create a Podcast Trailer that Builds the Hype?
If the trailer is poorly made, people will lose interest in your podcast even before it is aired. Therefore, you need to make the most of the few seconds to make your listeners excited. This is how you can do that:
Tell a Bit About Yourself
First things first. As a podcaster, your background and role in the show are integral to its success. Whether you’re a seasoned expert or just starting out, your unique perspective and passion are what sets your show apart.
By sharing your background and inspiration for creating your podcast, you can captivate new audiences and give them a glimpse into what makes your show so special. Whether you’re a seasoned expert on a specific topic or just beginning your journey, creating a trailer is the perfect opportunity to showcase your personality and attract a dedicated audience.
Introduce Your Show
You need to introduce the show to give potential listeners a glimpse of what they can expect from your full-length episodes. Whether you host a weekly interview series, delve into true crime stories, or blend astrology forecasts with listener-submitted questions, clearly defining your podcast’s format provides valuable context for both listeners and podcast platforms.
By doing so, you can increase the chances of your show being featured on podcast apps, emails, social media accounts, and marketing materials. And remember, do not forget to mention the name of your podcast in your show description.
It’s Just a Preview
Try to utilize the unique opportunity to make a trailer that captures the essence of your show in a condensed format. Think of it as a sneak peek into what listeners can expect later on. Whether you’re a seasoned host or just starting out, a trailer can be a valuable tool for building an audience.
Consider incorporating all the elements that make your show unique. If you have a signature opening theme, include it in your trailer. If you banter with a co-host, bring them along and try to capture that dynamic in your recording. If you’re still experimenting with background music or production elements, use this opportunity to explore different options and find what works best for your show.
Sell Your Strong Points
You need to clearly communicate the unique value of your show to potential listeners. By taking the time to clearly define what makes your podcast stand out, you’ll be able to effectively market it to your target audience. Consider highlighting the specific topics or perspectives you cover, the expert guests you feature, or the unique format of your show.
Additionally, think about what listeners can expect to gain from tuning in, whether it be new insights, a sense of community, or simply entertainment. By honing in on these key selling points, you’ll be able to make a compelling trailer that will attract listeners and set yourself apart from the competition.
Keep the Podcast Teaser Short
When it comes to creating a trailer, it’s essential to strike the right balance between providing enough information to pique listeners’ interest while still leaving them wanting more. To achieve this, it’s best to avoid making a podcast trailer too long or overly detailed.
What should be your podcast trailer length? Well, aim for a sweet spot of around 30 to 60 seconds in length. This is the perfect duration to grab attention and provide a taste of what listeners can get from your next episode.
Call Your Listeners to Action
Engage your audience by issuing a call-to-action (CTA) at the end of the trailer. A Call To Action is a prompt for listeners to take a specific action, such as following your social media accounts, leaving a rating or review, or purchasing merchandise.
While the specifics of your CTA may change depending on your sponsors, show content, and available merchandise, it’s crucial to keep it focused on one clear request. Presenting multiple CTAs can be overwhelming for listeners and may dilute the impact of your message. Instead, choose one actionable item that aligns with your current goals, and craft your CTA around that.
Pay Attention to Recording and Mixing
Maintaining professional sound quality is highly important. While audio mixing is an important step in achieving this, it’s also crucial to start with clean, high-quality raw audio. By following a few simple guidelines during the recording process, you can ensure that your audio is in the best possible shape before it even reaches the sound design and mixing stage.
This includes using the appropriate microphone, wearing headphones during recording, and practicing proper organization and categorization during post-production. By taking these steps, you can make the audio mixing process a breeze and take your podcast’s sound to the next level. Listen to your podcast trailer before embedding it in your social media posts.
If you are looking for a podcast trailer example, the podcast directory Spotify has a nice one that you might love to check out.
How to Write a Podcast Trailer – What You Shouldn’t Do
While it’s crucial to provide enough information to keep your audience engaged, it’s equally important to avoid overwhelming them with too much information. Instead, aim to give them a taste of what’s to come and leave them wanting more.
One key mistake to avoid is using your trailer to promote something other than your podcast. Keep in mind that your audience doesn’t have unlimited time to listen to the teaser, so you need to hook them to your show and whet their appetite by getting the trailer right.
Another pitfall to steer clear of is making unrealistic promises in your trailer. It’s important to be transparent and give an honest representation of your podcast, as this will set you up for success and earn the trust of listeners.
Remember that if your trailer promises something that your podcast doesn’t deliver, it could damage your chances of catching the attention of future listeners. So be honest, be authentic, and let your listeners know what it’s truly about.
Make Your Trailer to Promote Your Podcast Episode – Few Things to Do
As a podcaster, crafting an engaging trailer for your show is an essential step in building your audience. But once it’s gone live, how to effectively utilize it to promote your podcast and attract new listeners? Here are a few strategies to consider:
Use the Trailer in Your Podcast Pre-Launch Strategy
Creating anticipation and attracting an audience are essential components of a successful marketing strategy. One powerful tool that can aid in this effort is a podcast trailer. This concise format can be utilized in various ways to promote the launch of your podcast.
One effective tactic is to use software, such as Headliner or Descript, to create short, captioned videos from your trailer. These videos can then be uploaded to YouTube or shared across social media platforms, giving listeners a sneak peek of what your podcast will be like and increasing the likelihood of them tuning in when it officially launches.
Another way to build a community and establish a connection with your initial listeners is to organize a listening party on platforms such as Facebook Live, YouTube, or Clubhouse. This allows your audience to engage with the trailer and each other, generating excitement for the launch.
Finally, reaching out to news outlets, the press, or industry communities can be an excellent way to start conversations and even secure guests for your podcast. This can help establish your podcast as a credible source of information and increase its visibility to listeners as well.
Participate in Trailer Swaps
As a podcaster, one effective way to increase your reach and attract new listeners is by participating in podcast trailer swaps. If you’re not quite ready for sponsorships, trailer swaps can be a great alternative.
The process is quite straightforward – simply reach out to other podcasts whose audience or topic aligns with yours and propose a trailer exchange. You’ll gain instant access to a new and diverse audience by airing each other’s trailers on your respective shows. Give it a try and see how it can benefit your podcast growth.
Include It in the Sponsorship Deck
As a creator and host, you understand the importance of finding sponsors in order to grow your audience and monetize your content. However, the process of working with sponsors can be daunting for independent podcasters. Luckily, there are platforms available that make the process more manageable with easy, one-click options. But why settle for just that? To truly make an impact on potential sponsors, include your trailer in your sponsorship deck.
Incorporating your trailer into your sponsorship deck is a straightforward yet effective way to showcase your show and its prospect. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make a lasting impression and secure the sponsorships you need to take your podcast to the next level.
Create a Podcast Trailer Today with Confidence
A podcast teaser serves as an introduction to your show, giving listeners a taste of what to expect and reasons to subscribe to your show. Don’t skimp on the effort put into crafting a compelling trailer – it can make all the difference in attracting and retaining a dedicated audience. Take the time to perfect your trailer and make one with confidence. You’ll be rewarded with the results you desire.
Disclosure: Our objective is to highlight products and services that we believe you will enjoy and find useful. If you buy them, Starting to Know may receive a tiny percentage of the sales proceeds from our commerce partners at no additional cost to you.
