The Podcast Teaser (PT) requires you to record an introductory teaser to your podcast series. The PT is challenging because you must distill the core content, idea, and appeal of your podcast series into a brief audio moment.
This project requires 1 submission. That submission includes 1 to 3 teasers & a memo. You'll post files to 2 locations: Dropbox, & the discussion forum for the Podcast Creator Summit workshop.
For the full list of core and supporting documents/files, see Submission Requirements.
As the extension of the Podcast Series project, the PT project relies on some of the same knowledge-building strategies that are relevant to that assignment. This project also demands professionalism & attention to detail during your audio production, & awareness of how your series complements others of its genre, audience appeal, & production values.
The PT project adds a new dimension of audience awareness. Among your goals with episode design & production is to connect with audience members & to keep those listeners engaged. A teaser represents an appeal to prospective listeners. Who are they? How might you draw them in with your advertisement about the series? What series elements or moments are most likely to convince people who are not yet series subscribers to give your podcast a chance? Thus the core challenge here is to reflect upon what you have accomplished so far during your episode production cycles, & to craft a message that will build the connection you seek with new listeners.
Deliverables: memo; podcast teaser (see below)
Document scope: 150 words (memo); 2 to 3 minutes (teaser[s]), refer to the description below)
Project value: 100 points
Evaluation rubric: _Eval_PodcastTeaser.pdf
Recommended tool(s): Adobe Audition for audio production, Microsoft Word for complementary docs
The PT project results in 1 to 3 brief podcast promotions that you can record new, assemble from previously recorded material, or create through a combination of these strategies. The total time of your promotional recordings should fall within the 2 to 3 minute timeframe.
Consider a range of strategies for promoting your podcast series. For example, you might record a single segment that introduces the series and offers examples of the topics explored. You might include outtakes from the episodes you have already recorded. However, an equally suitable alternative would be to record a 30 to 40 second spot for each episode that promotes the series & then teases the content of the specific episode.
Although you get to decide how to use previously recorded content, the promotional segments I have heard that I think of as most effective typically use a combination of newly recorded content that sets up the "ad" with 1 or more brief segments drawn from an episode.
Keep in mind that you might also bring on listeners to promote your series for you. Many podcasts do that as well.
Whether you produce 1 teaser or more, all of the segments should incorporate the following content/design elements.
Thematic Elements from the Series. If possible, work in thematic elements from your series. That could mean just about anything, but likely includes details such as the theme song, sound patterns, key phrases, & so on.
Professional Editing. Whatever content you include, work on threading it as seamlessly as possible into a coherent, professional audio experience.
Export as a MP3 File. Export your file(s) in MP3 format.
A memo of transmittal introduces the accompanying document to its audience(s). Your memo should be addressed from you to me, and should introduce the accompanying project. Your memo should incorporate the following content elements.
This section is designed to help you anticipate and avoid problems as you work on this project. Therefore, as you work, consider the following hints and tips.
Podcasts & related docs are relatively easy to produce compared to some media projects. However, listeners decide within a few minutes of listening whether or not they think you have anything meaningful to offer. Invest in connecting with your audience. What do they crave? How can you deliver a satisfying listening experience? Challenge yourself to meet lofty expectations, and then deliver on that promise.
Approach this project as a design strategist. Consider how audience needs & expectations for documents of these types, and how all of the design components coordinate & complement one another. Pay attention to the design specifications you have been given to work with. Because authenticity of experience is a goal for connecting with genre standards, strive to meet the expectations established in the specifications and to craft an authentic listening experience.
Edit carefully, seeking to express your ideas clearly and concisely, & to eliminate any audible distractions or glitches. Edit carefully with the intent of speaking in such a manner that your message is clear & your teaser is focused. Scrutinize your work so it is consistent, professional, and quality.
Read and attend carefully to these submission guidelines. Failure to do so may result in points lost on the final evaluation of your project.
Create a project folder inside your shared class folder on Dropbox.com. Remember, I can only view files that you place inside the shared folder. Until you place files in that space, you have not in practice submitted them.
Name the folder Podcast Teaser.
Make sure the files listed below are available to me in the project folder by the final deadline. Model your filenames on the listed examples:
Note. Do not share the individual files with me. By placing them in your project folder, you have already shared them by default.
This section describes the standards by which your submission will be evaluated.
There are 100 possible points for this project. The first submission is the final submission. You will earn points according to the standard described on the policies page (see Policies for a description of these categories).
The specific areas of emphasis for this project are drawn from the description and discussion of the project, and are detailed in the evaluation rubric (_Eval_PodcastTeaser.pdf).
Remember that I will only post the point values for projects on the Grades page in SVSU Canvas. I will post the details relevant to that evaluation in your class folder in a project-specific file.
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