Show notes:
Timestamps
1:50 How did the idea for the show come about?
4:20 Why is it important to have a podcast trailer?
7:10 What makes a great trailer? Practical tips on how to create a trailer or beefing up an existing one
9:23 What pieces of information should the trailer contain?
11:30 A/B testing your trailer
12:43 The no-nos of podcast trailers
15:19 I started my podcast without a trailer. Can I/Should I add one mid season?
18:44 Trailers without shows: how is this even possible?
Key ideas:
How did the idea for the show come about?
- Arielle wanted to focus on discovering new podcasts and the concept of trailers intrigued her.
- She listened to trailers for every show listed in Apple Podcasts’ new and noteworthy section.
- She found that some trailers didn’t reflect the tone or content of the actual show.
- This led her to explore the idea of creating a show dedicated to podcast trailers.
Why is it important to have a podcast trailer?
- It forces the creator to distill the most important elements of the show into a short, enticing pitch.
- It allows the creator to mark the episode as a trailer, making it easily discoverable in podcast listening apps.
- It helps launch the show and populate the RSS feed, enabling early promotion and collaboration opportunities.
What makes a great trailer? Practical tips on how to create a trailer or beefing up an existing one.
Two approaches possible:
- In-universe trailer (using characters’ voices to tease the show).
- Producer-led trailer (introducing the show and its content).
A successful trailer should:
- mention the show’s name
- provide a glimpse into the show’s content
- highlight what listeners will gain
- mention the release date.
A/B testing your trailer
- Experiment with different versions of the trailer to see which one resonates better with the audience.
- Consider releasing two trailers using different approaches and analyzing the response to determine what works best.
The no-nos of podcast trailers
- Not introducing oneself or the show in the trailer.
- Poor audio quality in the trailer.
- Failing to match the tone and style of the trailer with the actual show.
- Leaving out important information such as the show’s name or release date.
I Started my podcast without a trailer. Can I/Should I add one mid-season?
- It’s not too late to create a trailer, even if you’re well into a season.
- A mid-season trailer can still attract new listeners and serve in feed drops to provide cross-promotion opportunities.
- Communicate with your audience transparently about the release of a mid-season trailer.
Trailers without shows: how is this even possible?
- Some trailers are created as proof of concept or to pitch the show for funding.
- They serve as a teaser to generate interest and support for the show’s production.
Resources:
Where to find and follow Arielle, Tim and Trailer Park – The podcast trailer podcast
– The Trailer Park website (I personally recommend it, the edutainment factor is off the charts with this show. Also, don’t forget to submit your trailer!)
– Arielle’s website
– Arielle’s Twitter Account
– Tim’s website
– Earbuds Collective (curated podcast recommendations)
Tools mentioned
– Squadcast.fm (Podcast cloud recording)