The Importance of Music and Sound Effects in Horror Movies 👻
Gaining a listener’s attention right from the beginning is a must, and having catchy podcast intro music will help you do so. But finding the perfect intro is no easy task. Luckily, we’ve got you covered on the music side, and here are some tips for winning the intro game.
What’s a Podcast Intro?
Just like in a TV or radio show, podcasts need a small presentation that will be constant, at least during a season. This is an introduction to the show and the episode, in which you state the title and a hint on what it is about. A good intro will grab your audience’s attention and encourage them to continue listening. On the contrary, an outro is the bit you will use at the end of the podcast, with a similar structure in terms of using music and a voiceover, but usually detailing the date of the next episode, social media accounts, and a “thank you for listening” type of phrase. Think of it as the bow that wraps everything.
The main challenge with podcasts is being able to transmit something only through voice. Unlike videos, there are no visual images involved, so the tone of your voice, along with impactful podcast intro music, will definitely be your allies. At HookSounds, we have a special category of tracks known as intros/outros, which serve perfectly the purpose of opening or closing your podcast. If I were you, I honestly wouldnt miss it out 🙂
Find some Inspo
If you are unsure about what type of intro to make, some inspiration will always help. A little inspo never hurt anyone, so aside from reading this article, go online and listen to some top podcasts in your genre. Analyze the ones you like, trying to find the things that make them outstanding. This can also help you learn more about hosting a show and checking what kind of trends are around in terms of podcasting.
Finding the right Podcast Intro Music
Probably the most difficult part will be choosing the right podcast intro music. As we have told you before, you have to use royalty free music to avoid being banned or demonetized. There are plenty of options—we know—so finding the perfect one can take you a while.
Music will set the mood, so you have to choose a track that aligns with the vibe of your show. If you have a comedic podcast, then using calm music wouldn’t make much sense, so your song selection has to be in tune with the theme of your podcast. To do so, start scrolling through our music library, using the genres and moods menu to help you categorize.
Instruments Over Voice
Since your intro will feature a voice-over, instrumental podcast intro music is probably the best choice. Still, if you want to have some vocals in it, we have a few tunes with voices too. Once you have chosen the song, remember that the intro will last just a few seconds, so be sure to edit the song to include the parts that work best for you. Even more, those users with paid licenses and subscriptions can access tracks with intro/outro cuts already in the downloaded ZIP!
Go for a Script
The usual time for an intro or outro is 30 seconds and around 75 words, so you will have to be concise. First, try to summarize what your podcast is about in a sentence—this will be your copy. It is important to give a small preview of the podcast’s content right from the start and, even more, to make it fascinating so people will stay and listen to the rest.
Some elements you will want to include in your intro are the name of the podcast, the title of the episode, your name, or some tagline related to the podcast. Obviously, not all of them have to be in it, but these can help you get started with writing the script.
The Voice
Once you’ve decided on a script for the intro or outro, it is time to start recording. Voice here is key, whether it is yours, a friend’s, or you hire someone to do it. In general, the host is usually the one that also talks in the intro, but you will also find several podcasts with intros made by someone else. Most importantly, when recording, be sure to be in a quiet place (of course, the same thing applies to when recording the podcast) as you don’t want any unnecessary noise.
Don’t be Scared of Sound Effects
As we stated before, podcasts are an audio medium, so take advantage of every resource available to make your intro and podcast even bolder. At HookSounds, we have over 9,000 royalty-free sound effects, and for sure, there is at least one that will work for you. Our library hosts many cool sound effects for you to choose from. Using them will help illustrate the mood you are trying to create when your show begins or ends.
Time to Edit
Once you have all your elements, it is time to put them together. If you are into editing yourself, there are many popular and easy software options you can use, such as Audacity, Adobe Audition, and Pro Tools. Once you find your perfect editing match, the action starts. Import all the audio files, including the podcast intro music, sound effects, and voice-over, and start playing around until you end up with the ultimate intro for your podcast. All of our music comes in WAV and MP3, as well as in different versions that will help make the editing process easier.
Of course, there is the option of working with a professional editor, but where’s the fun in that? Especially if you are starting, editing yourself will help you save money and help you learn a new skill, so that is a win-win situation.
