Uncovering the Power Of Podcast Music
By Tom Seest
How Important Is Podcast Music?
At PodcastBig, we help new podcasters develop strategies to create content, traffic, and revenue from podcasts based on our experiences and experimentation.
Podcasts offer an engaging form of entertainment and information, perfect for listening on the go while exercising, driving, or performing other tasks.
The best podcasts feature music that fits their topic, format and overall theme – such as Serial’s. Some even create their own original pieces like they did!
How Important Is Podcast Music?
Table Of Contents
Why Does Podcast Music Make a Difference?
Your podcast intro music should grab their attention and keep them listening to every episode. Typically, this short tune introduces your show and provides a hint as to the topic covered during that particular episode, while setting the atmosphere so listeners know if they will find the content interesting or not.
Finding music for your podcast has many options; royalty-free music may be the best solution as it doesn’t put you at risk of copyright infringement, while creating custom pieces from scratch may cost more, but ensure you have exactly the song for each episode of your show.
An alternative approach is to utilize songs licensed under Creative Commons license. This form of licensing entitles you to use the song provided you attribute the composer in your show notes and comply with any additional requests from them. However, commercial use of CC music typically requires attribution and may be terminated at any time by its licensor.
Podcasts often utilize theme music for their intros and outros, as well as different tracks during regular segments, so listeners can become familiar with its musical feel before each new episode airs. Establishing a brand for your podcast by including theme music helps listeners recognize it across episodes.
Many podcasters utilize music as a great way to introduce guests, set the stage for the interview, and build audience excitement about whatever topic is at hand. Intro music can also set an optimistic vibe and keep audiences engaged throughout each episode – which is essential in keeping listeners returning for more!
Why Does Podcast Music Make a Difference?
Why Does Podcast Music Matter?
Background music is often the deciding factor when it comes to whether people continue listening. By adding music, podcast hosts can keep listeners’ attention while still allowing them to focus on the subject matter of the show. Selecting appropriate background tunes can help immerse listeners into a podcast experience and encourage them to stay until its completion.
Producers should remember that when selecting background music for a podcast, the producer must always keep the theme and target audience of the show in mind. If it is a crime drama podcast, its background music must be more suspenseful and tension-inducing; otherwise, if it’s about investing, its music might be more soothing and upbeat.
One of the key aspects of podcast background music is ensuring it does not overshadow the voices of the host and guests. To accomplish this, adjust the volume so it is just loud enough to be audible; also try not to talk over too much as this may cause listeners to lose interest in your podcast!
Podcasts frequently utilize background music to set the scene and convey emotions, such as true crime shows that use it to heighten tension or investment podcasts that use music to emphasize urgency or momentum during market reports.
Podcasters must take note that using copyrighted music without first obtaining the necessary licensing rights is a serious violation of copyright that could result in fines from both content platforms and the music industry.
Finding the ideal background music for a podcast begins by listening to popular shows within your niche and taking careful note of their use of background music. Next, test out various tracks until one satisfies you and your show best.
Why Does Podcast Music Matter?
Why Does the Outro Music Matter?
Outro music to your podcast is the final impression your audience receives before tuning out for good. Typically, this final note serves to give your listeners a sense of closure after an episode has concluded while providing another opportunity to thank them and encourage them to subscribe to your show.
When selecting outro music for your podcast, it is important to keep several factors in mind when making your selections. First and foremost is making sure the track fits with both your target audience and show topic; additionally, ensure it doesn’t overpower your voice too much.
Podcast music can add depth and polish to your content and create a more polished and professional podcast. Not only can it grab the listener’s attention quickly and retain it longer term, but it can also add drama and intrigue. By selecting appropriate musical selections for your podcasts, you can ensure audiences come back again and again for a captivating listening experience that captures their attention and keeps them wanting more!
Royalty-free music differs from commercial music in that users do not need to pay licensing fees when using it in podcast episodes. Licensing fees are among the primary ways in which musicians, record label owners, and songwriters receive compensation for their work; using royalty-free music in your podcast episodes allows you to bypass these fees while still compensating all artists involved with its creation.
Royalty-free music offers another key advantage for podcast producers: finding songs that perfectly complement your content without spending hours searching. Many websites offering royalty-free music provide access to songs organized by genre and tone for easy searching.
Note that when using royalty free music for podcasting, it is imperative that all stipulations and rules set by the artist or composer be observed. Some tracks contain No Derivative Works clauses which limit how and when it can be altered or used; other tracks may have Creative Commons licenses which outline when and how it should be used.
Why Does the Outro Music Matter?
What Makes Original Music Stand Out?
Either as an independent composer or by hiring someone else to compose original music for your podcast, composing original music can add an original and customized element to the show. Some of the largest podcasts, like Serial (an investigative journalism show), have had music created especially for them – an expensive endeavor that also requires legal rights for the music in question.
Many podcasters try to avoid copyright issues by choosing royalty free music for use. This type of license usually lasts one episode or year. Some sites, like Incometech, provide such music at one-off fee while others require either monthly or yearly subscription fees in order to use their royalty free tracks.
Creative Commons music may also be an option; this form of public domain music was made available with specific restrictions governing its usage, such as being only for noncommercial purposes. While this might seem like an ideal solution, complications may still arise when composers discover their song is being played on podcasts.
Understanding copyright laws is vital, and seeking legal advice when necessary to ensure you remain within the law. No matter how renowned your podcast may be, taking risks with copyright infringement could prove costly in terms of both time and reputational damage.
If a rights holder discovers you’ve been using their song in your podcast, they could either agree to let you keep using it, or file a costly lawsuit. To avoid potential trouble and keep costs to a minimum, try using royalty-free or public domain music instead – taking these steps will lessen the chance of violating copyright laws, and make any issues much simpler and cheaper to deal with in case they do arise.
What Makes Original Music Stand Out?
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