When you’re first starting out with independent podcasting, there is an overwhelming number of tasks and items on your to-do list. Gathering the right equipment, planning your content, scheduling guests, and publishing your episodes can feel like a full-time job. But branding your podcast is just as important as any of those other steps, and often gets overlooked.
Your podcast’s branding is what will make it stand out in a sea of other shows. It’s what will help you attract new listeners, and keep them coming back for more. Branding can be a tricky thing to get right, but it’s worth taking the time to do it right. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re branding your podcast.
How to Properly Brand Your Independent Podcast
We know what you’re thinking, “it’s just a podcast, why do I need branding?”
While we know you’re not launching a traditional business, a podcast is still a product that you’re putting out into the world. Just like any other product, it needs to have a clear and concise message that resonates with your target audience.
Podcast Brand Consistency
Your branding should be consistent across all platforms. This means using the same name, logo, and colors on your website, social media, and anywhere else you promote your show. Consistency will help listeners recognize your podcast, and make it more likely that they’ll subscribe and continue listening.
Podcast Name
Your podcast name is one of the first things people will see, so it’s important to choose something that is both catchy and reflective of the content you’ll be covering. Avoid using inside jokes or anything that might be too confusing for someone who’s hearing about your show for the first time.
Podcast Logo
Your logo should be simple, and easily recognizable. Think about some of the most popular brands in the world- their logos are memorable because they’re easy to look at and understand. Your logo will be used on all of your marketing materials, so make sure it’s something you’re proud of displaying.
Podcast Colors and Fonts
Your podcast’s color scheme should be cohesive, and easy on the eyes. Steer clear of using too many colors, or anything that might be difficult to read on a screen.
As for fonts, again, you’ll want to stick to something simple and easy to read. Script fonts might look nice, but they can be tough to decipher — especially when someone is trying to skim through a website or social media feed.
Podcast Topic and Format
One aspect of branding that most creators don’t consider is the topic and format of the show. These two factors will play a big role in how your podcast is received, and whether or not people continue listening.
If you are considering a unique approach to your episodes, the format can be as powerful a branding tool as a logo or color scheme. Be creative, and experiment with what you think will work best for your show.
The takeaway here is that branding is important, no matter what type of product you’re putting out into the world. By taking the time to develop a strong brand for your podcast, you’ll be setting yourself up for success in the long run.
Creating Your Podcast Website
Like any business starting in today’s ultra-digital world, your podcast will need a website. This is a key platform for promoting your show and building an audience.
Your podcast website doesn’t have to be anything fancy — but it does need to exist, and be easy to navigate. At a minimum, your website should include the following:
- An About page that tells visitors what your podcast is all about, and why they should listen
- A list of your most recent episodes, with links to wherever they can be found
- A way for listeners to subscribe to your show
- Links to your social media accounts
For podcasters looking to build a more comprehensive experience, consider adding a newsletter signup form to your website. Most free website platforms come default with basic contact forms that you can use for this purpose.
You should also include branded images and videos on your website, to help visitors get a sense of what your podcast is all about. If you have any upcoming live events or other announcements, be sure to include those as well.
Building a strong website is a key part of promoting your podcast and growing your audience. By taking the time to create a website that is both informative and visually appealing, you’ll be giving your show the best chance at success.
Messaging for Social Media and Beyond
Finally, let’s talk about messaging. This is perhaps the most important aspect of branding and something that all businesses need to consider — no matter what industry they’re in.
Your messaging should be consistent across all platforms, and should clearly articulate what your podcast is all about. It’s best to write some words down to build a vocabulary that is on-brand. When you are creating content — both written and recorded — infuse your captions and scripts with these words. This repetition will create a subtly cohesive message that will help to define your podcast’s brand.
Don’t Wait to Work on Your Podcast Branding
Now that you know all about podcast branding, it’s time to get to work on developing a strong brand for your show. This is an important part of any business, and it’s something that you should be thinking about from day one.
Don’t wait to start working on your branding — the sooner you get started, the better. And if you need some help, there are plenty of resources out there to guide you through the process.
So what are you waiting for? Start branding your podcast and grow your audience.