How to make a great podcast trailer

Tips for crafting a trailer that feels natural and engaging.

Aside from seeing whatever eerie commercial Nicole Kidman is starring in for AMC, one of the best parts of going to a movie theater is watching (and critiquing) movie trailers. It’s easy to tell if you’re interested in a movie based on those short teasers, and the best ones get us excited for the next batch of films to grace the silver screen.

Just like movie trailers have been hyping up films for over a century, podcast trailers are meant to do the same—giving potential listeners a sneak peek of what’s in store. A great trailer is short, captivating, and sets the stage for your podcast’s vibe.

With Adobe Podcast Studio, you can whip up a trailer in no time using our simple text-based editing tool. But before you dive in, check out these tips to make sure your trailer hits all the right notes.

4 tips for creating a great podcast trailer

Attention spans are shrinking, scrolling is easier than ever, and none of us have a Super Bowl-sized budget. But putting together a good trailer doesn’t have to be overwhelming: focus on creating something as short and impactful as possible.

1. Short and sweet gets the job done

Know that you have limited time to capture someone’s attention. Good or bad, it’s the reality of how most people consume information, so try to pack in as much personality as you pitch your show to potential listeners.

For general trailers, like those you’ll add to Spotify or Apple Music, aim for somewhere between 1 and 2 minutes in total length. Remember: you’re trying to hook new listeners, so use snippets that excite you the most and try to craft a quick narrative around your best selling points.

Full-length trailers usually won’t fit into most ad or commercial spaces, so consider making shorter versions of your trailers based on the platform requirements where they’ll be featured.

2. Understand the different types of trailers

There are a few different kinds of trailers commonly used, depending on a podcast’s style and format. The three most common are:

• Teaser trailers: typically used to excite fan bases—for example, if you’re telling a story throughout a season of content, you’ll likely want to prime your audience for upcoming episodes with this trailer format.
• Coming soon trailers: parallel teaser trailers but are typically more focused on announcing something new. The main difference is that teasers can often be built knowing the audience has some innate knowledge of a program, whereas a coming soon trailer should be more introductory.
• Show trailers: a bit more general and should typically include more information about your program compared to other formats and include engaging snippets and highlights from past episodes.

3. Highlight unique aspects of your show and provide a clear overview

Is your show focused on comedy and entertainment? Do you interview industry professionals and provide high-quality discussions for your listeners?

Whatever makes your podcast unique, the trailer is the time to embellish these characteristics and show an audience what they should expect from your program. Especially for new shows, make sure you provide a snapshot of what listeners can expect, and communicate the frequency of episodes and topics you plan to cover (when relevant).

4. Make a compelling call-to-action

Your call-to-action, or CTA, is a direct message for potential listeners to (you guessed it!) take action. You could be asking folks to listen to your show for the first time, return for an upcoming episode in a series, or sign up for something like a newsletter.

When it comes to making a CTA, you should try to be as direct as possible. If directness isn’t typically your style, you should still give it a try. If listeners know exactly what you’re asking of them, it’ll go a long way in giving them that initial nudge.

And now it’s time you make your own great trailer

Your podcast trailer is your first impression—make it count. Focus on your strongest selling point (and don’t be afraid to ask for feedback from others) to craft a trailer that’s compelling, concise, and irresistible. By delivering content in a way that grabs attention and keeps listeners engaged, you’ll set your show up for success.

Ready to create a trailer that stands out? Adobe Podcast has the tools to help you craft professional-quality audio with ease—whether it's a teaser or a full episode. Try it today and start turning listeners into loyal fans.