Did you know that your cover art is one of the most important factors when it comes to getting your podcast noticed?
In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of podcast cover art and where to create it to help you get the perfect podcast logo. We will also provide tips on how to make sure your podcast stands out from the rest, ultimately leading to new listeners!
Most podcasts are discovered through word-of-mouth or by browsing podcast directories such as iTunes, Spotify and apple podcasts. The Podcast Host Discoverability Survey found that '40% of listeners find new podcasts on directories'.
For your podcast to stand out you must have high-quality and visually appealing artwork, that is attention-grabbing and on-brand.
Why does your podcast cover art matter?
Podcast artwork is often the first thing people will see when searching a podcast directory. In fact, it is often the deciding factor in whether or not someone will click on your show above others. This is why it is so important to have good cover art that accurately represents what your show is about and will appeal to your target audience.
Your content could be great but if your logo is unprofessional or badly designed, it can reflect poorly on your show and might discourage potential listeners from giving it a try.
On the other hand, if your podcast artwork is eye-catching and well-designed, it will pique listener interest making them more likely to give your show a chance over other podcasts with similar topics.
What is a podcast logo?
Your podcast logo is a key element of your show's branding. It should be included on all of your marketing materials including your website and social media platforms.
Podcast logos should be unique and recognisable so that potential listeners can easily identify your show when they see it advertised.
Podcast logo vs Podcast Thumbnail?
Your podcast thumbnail is a small image that represents your show on podcast directories and apps. This is the first thing people will see when they come across your show, so it's important to make sure your thumbnail is eye-catching and includes relevant keywords.
Does your podcast logo scale?
Your podcast cover art should be high-quality and legible at any size. This is important because your artwork will be displayed on a variety of different screens and platforms, including mobile devices, tablets, and desktop computers.
You want to ensure your podcast artwork looks great no matter how it's being viewed. Having too many elements in your logo will make it difficult to read when sized down.
Tip: Do not add too many words.
Let's talk briefly about colour theory.
When it comes to choosing the colour scheme for your podcast artwork, it's important to consider the psychological effects of different colours.
For example, the colour red is often associated with energy and excitement, while blue is associated with calm and relaxation. Keep this in mind when choosing colours and stock images for your podcast brand so that you can create an emotional response in new listeners.
Consider your intended audience.
Take your target audience’s demographics into account when deciding on the cover art. When designing your podcast artwork, it's important to consider your target audience as well as your podcast brand.
What age group are you trying to reach?
What interests do they have?
Your podcast artwork should be designed with your target listener in mind so that it appeals to them. Most podcast directories only show your podcast cover art and podcast title so it's important it represents your brand well.
Bright colours may work well if you are targeting children, but a more muted colour palette may be more appropriate if you are targeting adults.
Tip: Remember that if you appeal to everyone, you appeal to no one.
Your show artwork should resemble your host's personality
Your podcast artwork should give listeners a sense of what your podcast is about and what they can expect from it.
If your podcast host is light-hearted and fun, your artwork should reflect that. However, if your podcast is more serious in nature, your artwork should convey that as well.
Keep this in mind when you design podcast cover art so that new listeners will have an accurate expectation of what your show is like.
Including Keywords in Your Podcast Artwork
When creating your podcast art, be sure to include relevant keywords so that potential listeners can easily find your show when they are searching for topics of interest.
For example, if your podcast is about news and current affairs, be sure to include keywords such as "news," "politics," or "current affairs" in your artwork.
This will help new listeners find your show when they are searching for new podcasts.
How to design your Podcast Cover Art?
Now that we've discussed the importance of your artwork, let's talk about where best to create excellent podcast cover art.
There are a few different options when you want to design a podcast logo.
Remember when creating a budget for your podcast setup, you shouldn't forget to include your podcast cover art cost.
There are free and also paid options available to design your podcast logo. You can hire a professional designer, use a DIY online tool like Canva (paid or free version), or create your own podcast cover art design if you have experience with graphic design software such as Photoshop.
How to design cover art in Canva.
If you're not sure where to start when creating your podcast logo there are many free templates available online.
Canva is a great resource for finding cover art templates. Type "podcast logo template" into the search bar and you'll be presented with a variety of different options to choose from.
Once you've found a template you like, simply click on it to edit it in Canva. From there, you can change the colours, fonts, and images to suit your show's branding. When you're happy with the design, download it and upload it to your podcast hosting platform along with the audio.
Outsource Your Podcast Art.
Designing podcast cover art can be tricky and if you want to make sure your own podcast cover is of the highest quality, it's worth hiring a professional designer.
A professional creator will be able to create a custom design that represents your show in the best way possible. They will also be able to ensure that your artwork meets all of the requirements we will soon discuss.
Selected Frequencies prides itself in all podcast content creation, including artwork design. We have a team of professionals who can handle this for you, and create the look you want that best fits your brand.
The cost to outsource your artwork will vary depending on the designer you hire and the complexity of the design. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from £50 to £500 for good podcast cover art.
We offer a range of packages, that can include free artwork when producing podcasts. If you'd like to know more you can just fill out our contact form here.
Repurpose Your Podcast Cover Art on social media
Once you have your podcast art designed, it's time to start promoting your show. One great way to promote your podcast is to repurpose your podcast artwork to use on social media.
You can take the most intriguing parts of your show and create audiograms using an app like Headliner. This works as a promotional video for your show, making it more shareable on social media.
You can create ads and social media posts that feature your podcast artwork, or you can use your podcast artwork as the cover photo for your social media profiles.
Using audiograms and repurposing your content for social media is a great way to get potential listeners interested in your show.
Let's discuss cover art requirements from Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts
Now that you know the importance of designing podcast cover art, let's talk about the requirements for images on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Apple Podcasts
Ratio 1:1
Min 1400x1400
maximum 3000x3000 pixels.
Format - JPEG or PNG.
Spotify
Ratio 1:1
minimum of 640x640 pixels
maximum of 3000x3000 pixels.
PNG or JPEG format
Ratio: 1:1
Min 1400x1400 Pixels
maximum 3000x3000 pixels.
Format - JPEG or PNG.
Both Apple Podcasts and Spotify recommend that podcast artwork is in a square format so that it looks great on all devices and shouldn't go below the minimum artwork size for your podcast cover.
Fun Font styles; Serif or Sans-Serif?
When it comes to choosing a font style for your podcast artwork, you have two options: serif or sans-serif font. Serif fonts have small lines attached to the ends of the letters, while sans-serif fonts do not have these lines.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a font style for your podcast artwork. It ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, some designers believe that sans-serif fonts are easier to read, so you may want to consider this when making your decision.
Tip: Try not to use more than two fonts as this will make your artwork look incoherent and if possible use something that resembles your personal brand.
4 examples of excellent podcast cover art and why.
Now that we've discussed the importance of artwork and where to get it designed, let's take a look at some examples of great podcast artwork.
The first example is the podcast artwork for the show 99% Invisible. The logo has a visual representation of invisibility. A simple design that is easy to read and understand in multiple scales.
The second example is the logo for the show StartUp. The podcast title is bold and easy to read while the basic image gives a straight indicator of what the show is about.
The third example is for one of the most streamed podcasts out there, Call Her Daddy. The pink instantly appeals to a feminine audience and the couch represents a relaxing atmosphere.
The fourth example is the artwork for the show TED Talks Daily. The podcast artwork features a simple logo that is easy to read and understand. The use of red in the design gives it an energetic feel, while still being professional and stylish. It is extremely minimalistic however it represents the brand accordingly.
Conclusion!
We hope this blog post has helped explain the importance of podcast cover artwork. Remember, your podcast artwork is one of the first things potential new listeners will see, so make sure it's high-quality and represents your show well! If you need help designing podcast cover artwork, we'd be happy to assist you.