Podcast cowl artwork is often the primary and most outstanding factor individuals will see about your podcast—usually even earlier than the title itself! Visible area is proscribed (often solely half an inch or 1.25 cm sq.—or in regards to 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 companies as a result of I consider in him and his area of interest expertise, not due to any potential earnings.
1. How well-known are you?
“Celeb” and “affect” are available in all sizes. You won’t be identified to the common particular person, however should you’re identified outdoors 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 should you acknowledged one among your favourite celebrities with their very own podcast.
For instance, should you watched the American model of The Workplace, you’ll in all probability immediately acknowledge Angela Kinsey and Jenna Fischer on the quilt artwork for Workplace Women. The truth is, you may acknowledge them a lot that you’d simply assume it is a podcast about The Workplace as a result of that is how them. And even when their podcast wasn’t about The Workplace, you may nonetheless have an interest to attempt the podcast due to how a lot you loved these actresses.
So if you’re already well-known (even when solely broadly inside your area of interest), then you may want your picture in your cowl artwork. And even should you’re not well-known, but, then preserve 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 by the number of conversations he has with various friends. Thus, it is very becoming for the quilt artwork to have his picture in it.
I might recommend the identical for any form of “The [your name] Present.”
However when your present focuses extra on the subject than on the particular person, your picture may truly be stealing area that might in any other case be used for a related visible ingredient. And that visible ingredient may 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 objectives?
Possibly you are not a star or influencer at any degree, but, however you need to be! How would this?
- If you would like to be cited as an professional 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, you then in all probability do need to construct your private model. And having your picture in your cowl artwork is a good way to assist with that!
This may lead to individuals recognizing you at occasions earlier than they hear your voice. This may additionally make it straightforward 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 should you aren’t fascinated by constructing a private model (and also you don’t need to!), you then in all probability should not embrace your picture in your podcast paintings.
One other consideration is that if your purpose is to attach extra deeply together with your viewers. A photograph actually places a face to your voice, so it is going to be simpler on your viewers to narrate with you. This may be extraordinarily necessary for podcasts on extra emotional topics, like psychological well being, restoration, relationships, and extra. Or should 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’re, however the high quality and flexibility of the pictures you could have.
For instance, I’ve seen a few individuals who merely do not pose effectively for portraits. So even should 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, attempt discovering or taking some higher candid pictures, or attempt totally different expressions. Possibly your smile—whether or not posed or real—simply appears to be like bizarre, so you could possibly attempt a extra critical expression, or perhaps an motion picture of you doing the factor your podcast is about (except your podcast is about homicide!).
And should you’re working with a designer, at all times give her or him a number of pictures to attempt, like a number of poses, all high-resolution, and as uncropped as attainable. Mark Des Cotes instructed me he usually finds the picture that works finest is not the podcaster’s first selection. And while you work with a talented skilled designer, like Mark, they will 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 effectively with a podcast about emotionally supporting your family members within the days main as much as their loss of life. 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 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 lots 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 on your podcast, I am going to use myself for instance, I truly assume my picture ought to be on the quilt artwork for The Audacity to Podcast! Why?
- I am already identified sufficient throughout the podcasting business to be acknowledged.
- My purpose is to construct my private model by the sources that I present.
These have truly been my ideas for a number of years, however I have not finished 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 could appear immodest or narcissistic. However I believe the advantages for me outweigh my private reservations. So that you may see my face present up in your podcast app quickly! (However please do share your opinion with me!)
Need assistance together with your podcast branding?
You possibly can design your individual podcast cowl artwork with instruments like SoVisual.co or Canva. Or you could possibly attempt 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 recommend Mark Des Cotes from PodcastBranding.co.
(As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases by these hyperlinks. However I like to recommend issues I actually consider in, no matter earnings.)
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Disclosure
This put up could include hyperlinks to services or products with which I’ve an affiliate relationship. I’ll obtain compensation out of your actions by such hyperlinks. Nonetheless, I do not let that corrupt my perspective and I do not advocate solely associates.
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