Your podcast can rise above the other average podcasts when you use sound in a creative manner. When you add sound effects to your podcast that add to the listening experience, you add an element of show business to your show. Your effects add another level of entertainment to your content.

Oscar Trimboli of the podcast Deep Listening – Impact Beyond Words includes great ambient noise in his podcast.

Dave Jackson includes nice transition effects on his podcast School of Podcasting.

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY

If you are adding sound effects to your show, keep in mind that a little will go a long way. You don’t need to add a sound effect to every other sentence. Your sound effects should surprise. They should show up in unexpected places where they make the most impact to the content.

When a well-placed effect surprises your audience when they least expect it, you will bring a smile to the face of your listener. It also adds depth and context to your story. Great sound brings your story to life.

So few people take the time to add creative sound to their show. Most will have music for an intro to the show. Some may even incorporate that music to the close of the podcast as well. Very few will go beyond that point.

To be creative and surprising, you don’t need to add many effects. Two or three sound effects that are well-placed will work. If you overuse effects, you will no longer surprise your audience. One or two that come in a the perfect time will be a delight.

Take the extra step to find a couple creative sound effects. Place them in your show where they will be unexpected yet entertaining. Your show will instantly rise above the average shows of your competition.

FIND THE TIME FOR SOUND EFFECTS

Don’t let it eat up your time. Keep your ears open for interesting sounds. Record them with the voice recorder on your phone if necessary. Then, create a palate of sounds for easy access when you are editing.

In your show prep, make notes where you want to put the effects to add context to your story. Let the effects enhance your story and make the content more powerful.

You could use ambient noise to give the sense of the atmosphere. Consider adding a boing or other comic effect. Like Dave Jackson, use music or other transition effects between segments of your show.

BE CAREFUL WITH SOUND EFFECTS

Just like photos, be careful of copyright. It is a little harder to prove with audio. However, songs and parts from movies or television shows are copyrighted just like text.

You could claim fair use. That doesn’t mean the copyright owner won’t sue you for using their material without permission. Just be careful.

Find the right effects. Search the web for sound effect packages. They vary in price. You could always record your own as well.

You can find my podcast and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.