Podcasts are getting so popular lately as more and more relevant celebrities and personalities use the format to promote their content. Some people have gained celebrity status simply by being awesome podcast creators. If you are one of those people who are thinking to start a podcast, then there are a few things you need to consider. In this article, we will discuss one of the most important elements in having a podcast: the intro music.
If you check the most popular podcasts out there, you can easily spot the unique podcast music each one of them has. The intro music is part of their image and once the intro music starts playing, it automatically resembles the start of that particular show. The audience can also distinguish podcasts based on the intro or background music they use. Without the need to question, they can right away tell a certain podcast simply by hearing the music playing along to it.
Importance of Intro/Background Music
Intro and background music are game-changers for podcasts. They set the theme desired for the project and allows the audience to be aware in case a transition is about to take place. Aside from these purposes, it also provides entertainment to listeners and avoids dead air when the host stops talking or if there are breaks in between. Even if you have top quality content, everything gets dragging once you do not have an intro or background music to accompany the presentation.
Music provides the vibe of podcasts. For example, a serial killer documentary podcast will sound more thrilling and mysterious when there is spooky music played in the background. It supports the cause of the podcast and adds a layer of entertainment that amplifies the audience’ enjoyment. If the aforementioned example plays happy music in its background, then the vibe is destroyed as well and the subject of the podcast is hardly relayed. These effects show the power of music in podcasts whether as intro or background music.
Tips on Making Podcast Intro Music
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Keep it short and memorable.
Intro music does not have to be lengthy. It can simply be a snippet of music which lasts for several seconds simply to narrate the title of the show or a short script. The most important factor is to let the music stand out and help the audience prepare for the upcoming podcast episode. The ideal length for intro music is at 12 to 15 seconds. Anything shorter than that is lacking while a little longer than 15 seconds can already be dragging.
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Come original.
Never steal music from other artists or use them without copyright. There are a lot of online tools out there which help you create music for your podcasts and you don’t even need to be a music maestro to create one. Take advantage of these online tools to create podcast music without the need to pay actual musical artists to borrow music from them.
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Put the call into action at the outro.
If you are promoting a product or brand through your podcast, it is enticing to plug the brand or product right away during the start of the podcast to tell people of your episode’s purpose. However, that idea does not sit well with most viewers or listeners. Your call to action has to be mentioned at the end of the podcast to avoid a self-serving approach.
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Be picky of your Podcast intro/outro music.
The intro/outro music will become the theme song of your podcast for its entirety. Audience have to settle for some generic music simply to have a podcast intro/outro music for your project. Tap on to your creative juices to create something unique, catchy, and relevant for your intro/outro music. Never settle for something that simply gets the job done.
Conclusion
Podcast intro/outro, and background music provide the overall feel of your podcast. They support whatever it is you are trying to reach out to your audience. Be careful in picking these musical snippets as they could make or break your podcast project. Keep in mind a lot of podcasts out there made their mark by simply having the perfect music to match their vibe.
