How to Make Podcast Listeners Fall in Love at First Listen
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The nerves are kicking in. You’ve landed the first date, you’ve finally got them one-on-one. But now you’re wondering, “What am I going to say to impress them?”
If you’ll humor us, this feeling isn’t too far off launching a podcast ad campaign. Yes, romance isn’t at stake. What is on the cards, however, is the opportunity to speak directly into the ears of your perfect audience and even create some brand love.
Just like a first date, your podcast ad has precious little time to make a great first impression. A survey showed that it takes less than 30 seconds to form a first impression, so a typical podcast advert of 30 seconds is the ideal way to introduce your brand to your next customer.
Venturing into podcast advertising, you may wonder how to craft an audio encounter that instantly captivates and leaves the listener wanting more. More crucially, how do you secure that second date with your audience? (Or in this case, visiting your website or some other call-to-action). In this blog post, we'll help you navigate making your podcast ad into a memorable first date.
The Art of the First Impression
We know a thing or two about impressions here at Acast. Our podcasts enjoy around 400 million listens per month, so just imagine all those ad impressions we’re delivering for brands. But this isn’t the type of impression we’re discussing right now — we’re talking first impressions. This is the first encounter a potential customer will have your brand, and can have a lasting influence on that persons view of your company or products.
Crafting a memorable first impression with your podcast ad is much like preparing for a first date. You want to come off as genuine, interesting, and likable while showcasing your unique charm. Just as a suave pickup line can engage a love interest, a memorable hook in your podcast ad can intrigue potential customers.
"Imagine you're at a cocktail party," goes a classic marketing cliche, "and you've got 30 seconds to impress someone. What would you say?" For podcast ads, you’ve got even less time to hook the listener. Those first few seconds are make-or-break, and the opening line is time to shoot your shot. It should be clever, it should be clear, and, perhaps most importantly, it should be quick.
The hook can take many forms. It could be a startling statistic ("Did you know that 90% of people forget to floss while being eaten by dragons?"), a humorous anecdote, or even intriguing sound design that perks up ears. No matter the approach, the hook's job is singular and vital: to convince the listener to give you their time, to lean in and listen to your story — or, in this case, your pitch.
Writing Ad Scripts with Wit and Charm
The ad script is the heart of your audio marketing campaign, and when done right, it should beat with the pulse of your brand's personality. Injecting humor, storytelling, and creativity into your script can turn even the most casual listener into an engaged audience.
The Power of Humor
Laughter is an instant connection; it is the fastest way to break the ice, and your ad's humor should be just as delightful. Kantar’s AdReaction study showed that humour is the most powerful creative enhancer of receptivity, with humorous ads being recieved as more expressive (+27 point increase), more involving (+14) and more distinct (+11).
But tread carefully; humor can be subjective, and a joke that falls flat can leave you mask-less in a masquerade ball. The key here is to know your audience. Is your demographic young and hip, or more mature and elegant? Tailor your humor to their sensibilities, and above all, make sure that your script still lands your message — after all, the aim of the date is not to entertain, but to build a relationship.
The Art of Storytelling
Humans are natural storytellers, and we love a good narrative. Podcasting is now the go-to place for storytellers all of all kinds, and your podcast ad can be a vibrant tale of problem and solution, a hero's epic struggle, or a person's odyssey through daily life with the aid of your product.
We like to say it all starts with a story when crafting compelling podcast ads, as when you write a script that speaks to the listener's heart, you're not just promoting a product; you're inviting them to share an experience, much like that enthralling anecdote you share during a promising date.
The Language of Love (and Authenticity)
Romance novels and customer testimonials both sell the promise of a better life — one through dreamy-eyed love interests, the other through tried-and-true products. Just as sincerity is the lodestar for a blossoming relationship, it is the polestar for your podcast ad. Ensure your message is authentic, that it reflects your brand's values and your product's promises without any smoke or mirrors.
There’s also a tried-and-tested way to get immediate credibility, and that’s by working with trusted podcasters who have already done the hardwork of building a relationship with their listeners. Leveraging the trust of podcast hosts with sponsorship ads, they can become an advocate for your brand and deliver the commercial message in a meaningful way to their listeners. Host-read sponsorships are the ultimate wingmate in podcast advertising, they’ll have your back for sure.
Landing the Second Date...Or Driving Action
Just as a successful first date leaves both parties eagerly anticipating the next rendezvous, a well-crafted podcast advertisement should seamlessly lead listeners towards the coveted "second date," or in this case, taking action. This phase of the ad is where the charming wit and captivating stories of your podcast ad culminate in the all-important Call to Action (CTA). It's akin to ending a delightful evening with a playful, "So, when can I see you again?"—except, in the podcast world, you're encouraging listeners to click, subscribe, or make a purchase.
Landing this "second date" requires more than just a straightforward request; it involves inspiring your listeners to want more of what you've offered them. Imagine your CTA as the moment you lean in, with all the confidence of someone who knows they've made a great impression, and suggest the next step in a way that's impossible to resist. Whether it's the promise of a special offer, or the unveiling of more intriguing stories, your closing should feel like a natural progression of the connection you've already established.
Hopefully after reading this, we’ve done some work in shooing away the butterflies in your stomach ahead of your first podcast ad. Now get out here and create some brand love.
The nerves are kicking in. You’ve landed the first date, you’ve finally got them one-on-one. But now you’re wondering, “What am I going to say to impress them?”
If you’ll humor us, this feeling isn’t too far off launching a podcast ad campaign. Yes, romance isn’t at stake. What is on the cards, however, is the opportunity to speak directly into the ears of your perfect audience and even create some brand love.
Just like a first date, your podcast ad has precious little time to make a great first impression. A survey showed that it takes less than 30 seconds to form a first impression, so a typical podcast advert of 30 seconds is the ideal way to introduce your brand to your next customer.
Venturing into podcast advertising, you may wonder how to craft an audio encounter that instantly captivates and leaves the listener wanting more. More crucially, how do you secure that second date with your audience? (Or in this case, visiting your website or some other call-to-action). In this blog post, we'll help you navigate making your podcast ad into a memorable first date.
The Art of the First Impression
We know a thing or two about impressions here at Acast. Our podcasts enjoy around 400 million listens per month, so just imagine all those ad impressions we’re delivering for brands. But this isn’t the type of impression we’re discussing right now — we’re talking first impressions. This is the first encounter a potential customer will have your brand, and can have a lasting influence on that persons view of your company or products.
Crafting a memorable first impression with your podcast ad is much like preparing for a first date. You want to come off as genuine, interesting, and likable while showcasing your unique charm. Just as a suave pickup line can engage a love interest, a memorable hook in your podcast ad can intrigue potential customers.
"Imagine you're at a cocktail party," goes a classic marketing cliche, "and you've got 30 seconds to impress someone. What would you say?" For podcast ads, you’ve got even less time to hook the listener. Those first few seconds are make-or-break, and the opening line is time to shoot your shot. It should be clever, it should be clear, and, perhaps most importantly, it should be quick.
The hook can take many forms. It could be a startling statistic ("Did you know that 90% of people forget to floss while being eaten by dragons?"), a humorous anecdote, or even intriguing sound design that perks up ears. No matter the approach, the hook's job is singular and vital: to convince the listener to give you their time, to lean in and listen to your story — or, in this case, your pitch.
Writing Ad Scripts with Wit and Charm
The ad script is the heart of your audio marketing campaign, and when done right, it should beat with the pulse of your brand's personality. Injecting humor, storytelling, and creativity into your script can turn even the most casual listener into an engaged audience.
The Power of Humor
Laughter is an instant connection; it is the fastest way to break the ice, and your ad's humor should be just as delightful. Kantar’s AdReaction study showed that humour is the most powerful creative enhancer of receptivity, with humorous ads being recieved as more expressive (+27 point increase), more involving (+14) and more distinct (+11).
But tread carefully; humor can be subjective, and a joke that falls flat can leave you mask-less in a masquerade ball. The key here is to know your audience. Is your demographic young and hip, or more mature and elegant? Tailor your humor to their sensibilities, and above all, make sure that your script still lands your message — after all, the aim of the date is not to entertain, but to build a relationship.
The Art of Storytelling
Humans are natural storytellers, and we love a good narrative. Podcasting is now the go-to place for storytellers all of all kinds, and your podcast ad can be a vibrant tale of problem and solution, a hero's epic struggle, or a person's odyssey through daily life with the aid of your product.
We like to say it all starts with a story when crafting compelling podcast ads, as when you write a script that speaks to the listener's heart, you're not just promoting a product; you're inviting them to share an experience, much like that enthralling anecdote you share during a promising date.
The Language of Love (and Authenticity)
Romance novels and customer testimonials both sell the promise of a better life — one through dreamy-eyed love interests, the other through tried-and-true products. Just as sincerity is the lodestar for a blossoming relationship, it is the polestar for your podcast ad. Ensure your message is authentic, that it reflects your brand's values and your product's promises without any smoke or mirrors.
There’s also a tried-and-tested way to get immediate credibility, and that’s by working with trusted podcasters who have already done the hardwork of building a relationship with their listeners. Leveraging the trust of podcast hosts with sponsorship ads, they can become an advocate for your brand and deliver the commercial message in a meaningful way to their listeners. Host-read sponsorships are the ultimate wingmate in podcast advertising, they’ll have your back for sure.
Landing the Second Date...Or Driving Action
Just as a successful first date leaves both parties eagerly anticipating the next rendezvous, a well-crafted podcast advertisement should seamlessly lead listeners towards the coveted "second date," or in this case, taking action. This phase of the ad is where the charming wit and captivating stories of your podcast ad culminate in the all-important Call to Action (CTA). It's akin to ending a delightful evening with a playful, "So, when can I see you again?"—except, in the podcast world, you're encouraging listeners to click, subscribe, or make a purchase.
Landing this "second date" requires more than just a straightforward request; it involves inspiring your listeners to want more of what you've offered them. Imagine your CTA as the moment you lean in, with all the confidence of someone who knows they've made a great impression, and suggest the next step in a way that's impossible to resist. Whether it's the promise of a special offer, or the unveiling of more intriguing stories, your closing should feel like a natural progression of the connection you've already established.
Hopefully after reading this, we’ve done some work in shooing away the butterflies in your stomach ahead of your first podcast ad. Now get out here and create some brand love.
