Video assets are the new boost your branded podcast needs and JAR Audio is the company to make it happen.
By: Jen Moss, CCO
What does it mean when a proud, audio-first, branded podcasting agency like JAR Audio introduces a video offering? Does it mean podcasting is now all about video? No. The science tells us that people love listening and audio is a powerful medium of engagement. This change is a reflection of where people listen.
While podcasting is primarily a long-form, mobile, screenless, audio-first format, our head of Audience Growth, Liz Hames, says, “We are seeing increased discoverability and consumption on video platforms like Youtube. If you’re investing in audio, it just makes sense to think about what your video strategy is, particularly if you’re looking to reach a wider audience.”
According to the Cumulus and Signal Hill Podcast Insights Report for Spring 2023, YouTube is the most used podcast listening platform. 29% of those surveyed said they listen to podcasts on YouTube the most. Spotify was 22% and Apple came in at 16%. If you include those who only watch podcasts on YouTube, the podcast consumer universe expands by 8%. YouTube is also #1 for podcast discovery: 34% of weekly podcast consumers who listened to a new podcast in the past 6 months used YouTube to start listening to it.
Since many people are now *listening* on Youtube — and many TikTok and instagram influencers are stepping into longer-form podcasting content — it just makes sense to take a flexible approach around video and consider how it might play a role in your podcast!
For all these reasons, and because video is generally fun and awesome, we are thrilled to announce a new, 4-tiered approach to making full-length video episodes for podcasts. Each tier can be paired with a “gear package” that suits our individual clients’ budgets. We can work to suit your needs.
Tier 1: “STATIC”: Not every podcast needs a full video treatment. Sometimes a simple graphic with just a little bit of movement is enough to give the listener something to look at while not getting bored. Our Static+ offering may include things like basic animation, still images with moving .wav forms, “slow video”, and more depending on the needs of your project and your target audience.
Tier 2: “REMOTE”: Sometimes it’s best to let the audio do the work, and sometimes it’s nice to see people’s faces. With this tier, faces are what you get. Imagine the liveliest Zoom call you’ve ever been on, but with transitions, lighting, equipment, and branded elements to drive your message home.
Tier 3 “ON-SITE”: Here, the JAR Audio team moves past the conference call squares to really give your show a sense of place. Filmed at the location of your choice, we deliver, train you, and support you so that you can make top-tier content on a rolling basis.
Tier 4: “ON-SET”: This is a compressed, organized, and fully-stacked video shoot where our full video crew ensures you look and sound your best (and have fun!). On-set, we record numerous episodes back-to-back from multiple angles to make a season’s worth of content over just a few days, with lighting, sound, and even set design if needed.
But what about short videos for social media?
From Youtube shorts to Tiktok videos, to clips for LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and more, video performs well across social media platforms.
“This doesn’t mean your podcast needs to be putting out short videos on every single platform,” says our Chief Creative Officer, Jen Moss. She notes, “We work with brands up front to strategize the best way to maximize their impact on social media. A lot depends on their target audience and where they can be found online.”
From custom-designed assets created by top-tier graphic designers to industry-leading AI-automated technologies used for creating short video assets, we at JAR Audio have your social media asset needs covered!
With all this excitement over at here, there’s really only one thing left for you to do:
Smile for the camera!
Jen Moss is the Co-Founder and and Chief Creative Officer of JAR Audio. As JAR’s podcast “doula”, collaborating with enterprise brands to bring great podcasts into the world. With a background spanning CBC Radio, Canada’s National Film Board Digital Studio, Vancouver’s Roundhouse Radio and the University of British Columbia, she guides the creation of captivating podcasts at JAR.