How to make a great podcast trailer
With Anchor Trailers, it’s easier than ever to create a great podcast trailer. But if you’re not quite positive where to start, we’ve got you covered with best practices and inspiring examples.
Recording a podcast trailer boosts the discoverability of your show and gives you the opportunity to hook new listeners by giving them a sneak preview. Here are some things to keep in mind when creating your podcast trailer:
Keep it under one minute.
Your trailer is an elevator pitch. It’s a chance to quickly grab your audience’s attention and convince them to keep listening. Start by setting your intention within the one-minute time limit and try to capture the message of your show as concisely as possible.
Introduce yourself.
What’s your background? What’s your role in the podcast? What inspired you to make this show in the first place? If you’re an expert on a particular topic, let us know. Your trailer is a chance to tell your story and attract new listeners by sharing your passion and personality.
Introduce your show.
Now’s your chance to give a quick overview of your podcast so that listeners know what they can expect from full-length episodes. Is your podcast a weekly interview show? A true crime series? Maybe the first half of your podcast is dedicated to reading astrology forecasts, and the second half is where you’ll answer listener-submitted questions. No matter your format, categorizing your show upfront provides helpful context to listeners and podcast platforms, who may decide to feature your show in their apps, emails, social accounts, and marketing materials. And oh yeah, don’t forget to let people know the name of your show.
It’s your podcast, but shorter.
Try to incorporate everything you would normally include in a full-length episode of your podcast, but pare it down to a single minute. If your podcast uses the same opening theme in every episode, include it in your trailer. If you’re always bantering with a co-host, bring them along and try to capture that dynamic in your trailer recording. Maybe you’re just starting out and haven’t decided on background music, or production elements, or the exact tone of your show. That’s okay. Your trailer is an opportunity to explore and consider the sounds and elements you might want to maintain in future episodes.
Sell your strengths.
Go ahead and make your case. What makes your podcast special? What can people expect to gain by listening to your show? Why should people listen to your podcast over others? Answering these questions for yourself is a helpful way to focus the content of your trailer and lean into the most appealing aspects of your podcast.
Include a call-to-action.
The ultimate purpose of your trailer is to promote your podcast, so be sure to give listeners clear instructions on what to do next: listen to your show! If you’ve got a starting point in mind, direct them to a particular episode. Encourage people to follow you on Spotify, or subscribe everywhere your show is available. Whatever action you want people to take after they listen to your trailer, make sure to call it out.
Create a trailer video.
When you record a trailer using Anchor, we’ll automatically transcribe your words into a beautiful, animated video that you can use to promote your podcast. Embed it on your website, post on social, and share it all over the world. You never know where your future listeners may be.
And remember: if your podcast evolves and you want to change your trailer at any point, you can re-record it whenever.
To start growing your podcast audience, open up the Anchor app and record a trailer now. And if you’re looking for even more trailer tips, check out these great examples we’ve curated:
Looking for more Trailers support? Head over to our help page for assistance.
