Podcast cowl artwork is normally the primary and most outstanding factor folks will see about your podcast—usually even earlier than the title itself! Visible area is restricted (normally solely half an inch or 1.25 cm sq.—or concerning the dimension of your thumbnail). So do you have to embrace a photograph of your self in your cowl artwork? Listed here are some questions that will help you resolve!
This episode is not sponsored, however I nonetheless need to promote my buddy Mark Des Cotes from PodcastBranding.co. Please point out that you just heard about him from me and I am going to earn a fee, however I like to recommend Mark’s customized design providers as a result of I imagine in him and his area of interest expertise, not due to any potential earnings.
1. How well-known are you?
“Superstar” and “affect” are available all sizes. You won’t be identified to the typical individual, however in case you’re identified exterior of your individual viewers inside a distinct segment, then it could be useful to incorporate your face in your podcast cowl artwork.
One of many advantages of that is when somebody acknowledges you from a group of different podcasts. That can make your podcast stand out extra. Think about what you’ll do in case you acknowledged certainly one of your favourite celebrities with their very own podcast.
For instance, in case you watched the American model of The Workplace, you’ll in all probability immediately acknowledge Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer on the duvet artwork for Workplace Girls. Actually, you would possibly acknowledge them a lot that you’d simply assume it is a podcast about The Workplace as a result of that is how you already know them. And even when their podcast wasn’t about The Workplace, you would possibly nonetheless have an interest to strive the podcast due to how a lot you loved these actresses.
So in case you are already well-known (even when solely extensively inside your area of interest), then you may want your picture in your cowl artwork. And even in case you’re not well-known, but, then maintain studying!
2. What’s your present’s focus?
Does your podcast give attention to particular matters, or does it give attention to your perspective on numerous matters?
For instance, what’s Joe Rogan’s podcast primarily about? It is truly proper within the title: “The Joe Rogan Expertise.” It is about his experiences and views via the number of conversations he has with various visitors. Thus, it is very becoming for the duvet artwork to have his picture in it.
I’d recommend the identical for any form of “The [your name] Present.”
However when your present focuses extra on the subject than on the individual, your picture would possibly truly be stealing area that would in any other case be used for a related visible aspect. And that visible aspect would possibly higher talk the subject of your podcast and higher appeal to an viewers for that subject than your face would.
3. What are your podcasting targets?
Perhaps you are not a celeb or influencer at any degree, but, however you need to be! How would you already know this?
- If you would like to be cited as an skilled in your area
- If you would like to current about your area at conferences
- If you would like to be acknowledged by others in your area
- If you would like your private model to unlock extra alternatives inside your area
If any of those factors resonate with you, then you definitely in all probability do need to construct your private model. And having your picture in your cowl artwork is an effective way to assist with that!
This may lead to folks recognizing you at occasions earlier than they hear your voice. This may additionally make it simple for them to see a gallery of audio system and know they need to attend your session no matter what you say, solely as a result of they acknowledge and belief you.
That is all a part of your private model.
However in case you aren’t thinking about constructing a private model (and also you don’t should!), then you definitely in all probability should not embrace your picture in your podcast paintings.
One other consideration is that if your aim is to attach extra deeply along with your viewers. A photograph actually places a face to your voice, so will probably be simpler to your viewers to narrate with you. This may be extraordinarily essential for podcasts on extra emotional topics, like psychological well being, restoration, relationships, and extra. Or in case you’re in a visually distinctive demographic and also you’re focusing on that very same demographic, like ladies, Asian, black, bodybuilders, and many others.
4. How good is your picture?
Lastly, contemplate how good and usable your {photograph} is. I am not referring to how enticing you might be, however the high quality and flexibility of the pictures you have got.
For instance, I’ve seen a few individuals who merely do not pose nicely for portraits. So even in case you rent knowledgeable photographer, however your pictures make you appear to be a creep, you won’t need to use these pictures. However as a substitute of giving up, strive discovering or taking some higher candid pictures, or strive completely different expressions. Perhaps your smile—whether or not posed or real—simply seems bizarre, so you possibly can strive a extra critical expression, or possibly an motion picture of you doing the factor your podcast is about (until your podcast is about homicide!).
And in case you’re working with a designer, at all times give her or him a number of pictures to strive, like a number of poses, all high-resolution, and as uncropped as doable. Mark Des Cotes instructed me he usually finds the picture that works finest is not the podcaster’s first selection. And once you work with a talented skilled designer, like Mark, they’ll make sure the picture suits in properly with the remainder of your visible branding. For instance, a photograph of you in a Hawaiian shirt and straw hat would not match nicely with a podcast about emotionally supporting your family members within the days main as much as their dying. You do not have to go “cliché,” however you additionally do not need to visually conflict.
The lighting, composition, and background of the picture may also make an enormous distinction in the way you or a designer (like Mark) can use the picture. For instance, a dramatically lit portrait that leaves a number of shadows in your face won’t coordinate with a predominantly light-colored cowl artwork.
My face coming to your podcast app quickly?
As you contemplate this stuff to your podcast, I am going to use myself for instance, I truly suppose my picture ought to be on the duvet artwork for The Audacity to Podcast! Why?
- I am already identified sufficient throughout the podcasting trade to be acknowledged.
- My aim is to construct my private model via the sources that I present.
These have truly been my ideas for a number of years, however I have never completed it earlier than as a result of I merely did not just like the considered plastering my face in my cowl artwork—as if it will appear immodest or narcissistic. However I believe the advantages for me outweigh my private reservations. So that you would possibly see my face present up in your podcast app quickly! (However please do share your opinion with me!)
Need assistance along with your podcast branding?
You may design your individual podcast cowl artwork with instruments like SoVisual.co or Canva. Or you possibly can strive hiring a random designer from 99designs or DesignCrowd. However I believe your finest selection can be to work with a talented designer who is aware of the distinctive qualities of podcast-branding and even has podcasting expertise. And that is why I like to recommend Mark Des Cotes from PodcastBranding.co.
(As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases via these hyperlinks. However I like to recommend issues I really imagine in, no matter earnings.)
I am out there that will help you podcast!
In the event you want one-on-one assist or you have not launched your podcast, but, click on right here to request a private teaching and consulting session with me and I would love the chance that will help you podcast higher!
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Disclosure
This submit could comprise hyperlinks to services or products with which I’ve an affiliate relationship. I could obtain compensation out of your actions via such hyperlinks. Nevertheless, I do not let that corrupt my perspective and I do not advocate solely associates.
