When you start a new podcast series, what does it take to create an epic opening jingle? And how should it sound? We will give you some insights on the essence of podcast jingles.
Jingles, sound logos or audio imaging
Some call it jingles, some use terms like audio imaging or sound logos and if you look at it from the perspective of a sound logo you can make a nice connection with a visual logo.
Good brands have well thought out brand logos. Good podcast requires a sort of audio logo, a good jingle that establishes the podcast as something to take really seriously like a brand on its own.
Be recognizable
In most podcasts you have an opening jingle, a closing jingle, sometimes a few bumpers and sound elements here and there. And when it comes to the opening jingle it would be great if your listeners immediately think hey this is something really worth listening to or hey that’s my favorite podcastagain! Needless to say with podcasts people listen from the start of an episode so the opening jingle is the most important one of all right?
Okay regarding this point you can compare it with TV series blockbusters like Game of Thrones, Madman and Suits; they all have really strong opening tunes. What do good opening jingles have in common?
Well, think of it like the entrance of a nightclub, a hip nightclub you knock on a black door someone opens it you see a staircase going up and as you go up those stairs you see the light at the end and the music is getting louder and louder and you think this is going to be fun I guess. And that’s what you need, a sort of suspense in a way that fits your format. Once you have that opening jingle created, you can create extractions of it for the closing tune, the bumpers and separate sound elements. See it as a set of elements of the same breed.
Most times a voice over is part of the jingle as well. When starting a podcast series, always try to think in the perspective of a new first time listener. They are the ones that need to be convinced at most that the podcast will be worth listening to.
The opening jingle should tell what’s in it for you. So for example you can name the podcast and add a short tech line or even better create some kind of elevator pitch in about four to seven lines: Hey guys this is what we’re going to talk about.
How to choose the right voice over for your podcast
Then choosing the voice over… Of course it does matter which voice you choose male, female, young, old, classic, raw. Try to find a specific tone of voice that fits in your format in an extraordinary way.
Now the question, imagine you create a podcast for an A-brand, those big brands, the kinds of brands that have their own voice talents who do all of the commercials and voicemail recording etc etc.
Should he or she be the voiceover for the podcast jingles?
Well not always. Here at Voicebooking we create lots of podcast jingles and we see most podcasts are made for niche markets and maybe your brand voice is a young sounding voice exciting but the podcast is for a part of your older audience and in that case then an older voice is more logical to use. Learn more about our podcast production services today.
And remember you’re creating branded content so in many cases you’re creating a brand of its own, which needs a tone of voice of its own.
So, as a company you have your visual logo and for a podcast you need your audio logo. It will cost you some extra money yes sure, but do make that investment it’s worth it. Good, well creating jingles will give people the feeling that they are going to listen to something that’s worth listening to and they will set you apart from the rest. And you know getting on that top list of Itunes isn’t easy.
I’m really curious what’s your favourite podcast? Just let me know in the comments and if you want to see more of my videos go to our youtube channel that’s youtube.com/voicebookcom.
Here are some more interesting videos about podcast and audio:
7 Tips to make your podcast a success
