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Using podcast intro music is perhaps the best way to engage your audience, reinforce your brand and let your listeners know what your content is all about. As more business owners, content creators and reputable experts turn to podcasting as a means of engaging a starving audience, setting your brand apart from your competitors is equally crucial. By the end of this article you will understand where to find podcast intro music and how to use is legally without having to worry about copyright claims.
What is Podcast Intro Music?
Podcast intro music is the soundtrack that plays at the beginning, middle or end of an episode. Good podcast intro music helps listeners identify specific brands, subject matter or topics of discussion. Through repeated use of the musical composition, podcasters are able to reinforce brand identity, authoritativeness and trustworthiness
What is a Podcast?
Podcasts are essentially on-demand radio shows that you can listen to on your smartphone, tablet or computer. Best of all, they're free to subscribe to and download. Podbean, Soundcloud, Spotify and Mixlr are among a handful of widely used podcast platforms used by podcasters. TV personality and MMA fighter Joe Rogan is credited with jumpstarting a ressurgence in podcasting. According to TechCrunch, Rogan's hugely successful podcasts receives over 18 million streams per month.
Can I use Copyrighted Music on my Podcast?
The answer to this question is no. Commercial music from your favorite artists should not be used during your podcast, not even for ten seconds worth. Doing so could land you in legal trouble and is a violation of the terms of service of the platform it is hosted on. Regrettably, bans, removals and account terminations are all too common penalties for copyright violation offenders.
Moreover, soundtracks from lesser known bands, indie-artists and local musicians aren’t podsafe either. That said, if you wish to use music from independent artists, then make sure to get written consent.
Creative Commons Music For Podcasts
You can find a number of websites that offer podcast intro music licensed under creative commons. Creative Commons, is a license which grants you permission to use a work, usually for free, in exchange for a credit.
Before using any music in a project, make sure you become familiar with the copyright holders' licensing policy. In the long run, this will save you from potential run-ins with legal nightmares, costly lawsuits and infringement claims.
In the event you wish to license music under the Creative Commons, be sure to read the relevant licensing policy. This crucial piece of information should be readily available somewhere on the website. If the licensing policy remains unclear, then contact the administrator and tell them the extent to which you will use the soundtrack.
Finally, if a licensing policy is nowhere to be found, it is still your duty to contact the copyright holders for clarification prior to using the track. This is especially true when sourcing music from platforms such as soundcloud, instagram or similar websites where tracks are posted by producers, musicians and hobbyists.
It isn’t uncommon for podcasters to use what they consider podcast-safe music for years only to get hit with cease and desist letters. Moreover, entertainment and copyright lawyers representing major record labels with deep pockets could set you back financially, not to mention become a source of unwanted stress. Consequently, these letters could wreak havoc on burgeoning businesses, popular podcasts and monetized YouTube channels. To ensure that this doesn’t happen to you, remember to thoroughly review all music agreements, terms and conditions and licensing policies. You’ll be glad you did.
How Long Should Podcast Music be?
Podcast intro music can be a long as you see fit, however most introductions tend to hover between the 5-30 second mark. In comparison to YouTube intro music, podcasts are more forgiving in that they allow longer intros to run its course before the show actually begins.
Your intro music needs to be short enough so your audience recognizes who you are as a brand but not long enough to the point where it feels excessive. For instance, an upbeat soundtrack with a duration of no more than 3 seconds might be all that is needed. When in doubt, err on the side of brevity.
How To Increase Podcast Engagement and Listening Duration?
According to psychology professor and author of Pre-Suasion (How to Get People to Say Yes ), Robert Cialdini suggests starting off your message with a cliffhanger. This means leading with a juicy bit of content prior to rolling out your podcast theme music. In this instance, listeners are more likely to sit through the podcast in anticipation for the conclusion to your teaser.
The famed author goes on to suggest that giving your audience a puzzle or mystery for them to solve dramatically increases attentiveness.
Here’s an example of the puzzle technique at work for a business-themed podcast:
“How could it possibly be that we’ve only been in business for a year and a half yet our sales are skyrocketing compared to our competitors? What could it be about us?
Now you’ve got your audience leaning in to the next thing you say which is the strength of your message. As human beings we love closure and to get that closure they have to pay attention to your message.
Lastly, this same technique has been used countless times on unsuspecting university students. Meaning that students would remain seated long after the bell has rung to hear the answer to the question that was asked at the onset of the class.
Finally, If you are serious about podcasting, then try using the techniques listed above.
What Makes Good Intro Music for Podcast?
Good music is easy to spot.
Does it have a great hook?
Is it memorable?
Could you hum it once it’s over?
Serial, the long form podcast uses a quirky sounding piano inspired soundtrack to kick off its widely anticipated podcast installments. In this instance, the theme music highlights the narrator’s telluric storytelling capabilities. Similarly, technology-based podcasts use electronic music as their preferred podcast intro music.
Conversely, it’s no surprise that crime-themed podcasts that feature stories with gory details, which are shrouded in mystery, tend to use darker themed music.
When in doubt, use your ears.
Instrumental Music vs Vocal Podcast Intro Music?
Podcasting is about effectively communicating your message so it’s best to use instrumental only tracks for your introduction music. This is especially important if you’ll be talking while the intro music is playing.
In some instances however, vocally-driven music isn’t such a bad idea, but this option greatly diminishes the likelihood you’ll ever talk while the singing is clearly audible. Of course you may always time it in such a way that your speech and the song’s vocal line aren’t overlapping or heard simultaneously.
A common mistake beginner podcasters make is to play a soundtrack from beginning to end as introduction music. Doing this encourages dropoffs, the point at which listeners tune out from your podcast in favor for another, so remember to keep it brief.
Can I Use Any Song for my Podcast Intro Music?
Now that we've determined that commercial music isn't podsafe, let's focus on our licensed music soundtrack. Next, locate the best part of the soundtrack and make that your theme song. If the best portion of the song is in the middle, then grab an editing software to eliminate the unwanted segments. Unfortunately, your listeners won't have the patience to wait for the “hook” of the song. As much as you may love your theme song, your listeners may not so keep it short.
If you absolutely feel the need to play your song in its full entirety, use it as an outro podcast music.
How to Find Podcast Intro Music?
There are plenty of sources for podcast intro music but be sure that you have the right to use it. Podsafe music is available on a number of reputable royalty free music libraries. Best of all, you get to use soundtracks in your production without ever having to worry about copyright infringement claims.
If you’re going to spend considerable time, energy and resources on establishing your podcast, then be sure you’re on the legal side of things. The last thing you want is to get hit with a cease and desist order from a lawyer whose client is a record label.
If you’ve got the extra money to burn, consider asking a freelance musician to record music for your podcast. Just make sure that you iron out all the legal complexities regarding copyright ownership.
For those looking to other avenues to satisfy their podcast intro music cravings, consider looking at Fiverr, a website where you can find anyone to do pretty much anything for you, for a price. There are musicians on the Fiverr, who for a fee, will gladly record a song for your podcast. If you decide to go this route, make sure you own the full rights to the music. Furthermore, it’s probably a good idea to ensure the composer doesn’t go ahead and resell the music to anyone else. As a result, the fee for that particular job will increase significantly.
When it’s all said and done, you can try your hand at making your own podcast intro music. There are (DAW's) digital audio workstations on the market that will allow you to record professional audio. Some DAW's are free while others are for purchase. Lastly, the learning curve is steep and we generally would not recommend you going this route.
Where to Find Podcast Intro Music?
Youcan find podcast intro music on Soundcloud and YouTube. Moreover, you can contact producers on Instagram and ask them if they’d be willing to let you use their music. Just be upfront and clear about who you are and what your podcast is all about. Believe it or not, many composer aren't willing to have their soundtracks affiliated with subjects matters they deem inappropriate. In particular, subject matters concerning political affiliation, religious denomination or offensive commentary could discourage musicians from granting consent. When in doubt, inform the composers of what exactly your content is about.
Finally, if your podcast has been around for quite some time and you have a following, then ask your listeners if they are willing to write a soundtrack that is suitable. You would be surprised how many of your listeners possess musical talent. Best of all, because they’re already a fan of your podcast and know who you are as a brand, they’ll be able to compose something that suits your brand's image.
Go ahead and ask. Don’t be shy
Common Myths About Using Music in Podcasts
Here are common misconceptions about using podcast intro music.
If I give credit to the author, this gives me the right to use their music in my podcast
False. You require written, oral or agreed upon consent to use music in a podcast, Youtube video or other publishing format.
I will only use 10 seconds of the music so therefore I can use the music
False. Using any amount of a song without consent exposes you to the inherent risks asslciated with copyright violations. That is, even a ten second clip of a commercial song could become a liability.
I’m a non-profit and don’t make any money so I'm allowed to use the music
False. Non-profits like other profit earning business are required to obtain and license or similar music agreement to use music in a podcast, YouTube video or similar medium. You can however, contact the copyright holder and inform them of your situation. In such cases, working out a deal may be your best bet.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve covered the complexities of licensing podcast intro music, you’ll be able to make informed decisions moving forward. Podcast is here to stay as more celebrities, personalities and companies are jumping on the band wagon at an unprecedendent rate. Moreover, protecting your brand's image is imperative and with royalty free music libraries popping up each day, there's no shortage of good music to be found. Just remember to read the licensing policies and terms and conditions before using podcast intro music in any of your productions.
Happy podcasting!
