The Untapped Potential of An Animated Podcast in Animation Business
If you're a freelance animator or an animation studio owner, you're probably constantly looking for new ways to draw in new clients and retain your existing ones.
Luckily, one such approach is the concept of an animated podcast. Not to be confused with an animation podcast, where animators wearing hoodies film themselves talking about animation into microphones the size of rifles.
Instead, here we're looking at an animated podcast, where the speakers’ voices are paired with interesting, creative visuals.
This unique blend of audio storytelling and visual artistry offers many opportunities for animators looking to elevate their business.
In this blog, we'll explore the various benefits of diving into the world of the animated podcast, both as a marketing tool for your own business and as a service offering for your clients.
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Why An Animated Podcast Is a Marketing Goldmine
Expand Your Reach With an Animated Podcast
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In today's day and age, the quest for visibility is more challenging than ever. Traditional marketing channels are drenched with tactics we’ve all seen before. Standing out in the crowd requires something extraordinary.
This is where the concept of an animated podcast comes into play. Podcasts, as a medium, have seen an exponential rise in popularity over the past few years. Millions of people worldwide are regular podcast listeners, and this number is only expected to grow.
Now, imagine coupling this already popular medium with the art of animation. An animated podcast merges the auditory allure of podcasts with the visual excitement of animation. By doing so, you're not just appealing to the ears but also to the eyes, thereby doubling the sensory engagement and making your content more valuable.
This dual engagement means you're not only reaching out to those who are podcast aficionados but also to those who have a keen interest in animation.
The result? A significantly broader audience that spans across different interests and age groups.
Build a Loyal Community
Community building is a critical aspect of any successful business, and an animated podcast can help with this.
Unlike some podcasts that rely on husky voices and controversial opinions to pull them through, an animated podcast offers a multi-sensory experience that sells itself.
When people find a podcast that not only provides valuable information but also captivates them visually, they are more likely to become regular listeners. Over time, this regular engagement can evolve into a sense of community among listeners.
These advocates then become your most potent marketing allies, spreading the word about your animated podcast and, by extension, your brand.
Soon you’ll have your own brand army, loyal to the brand and to the cause (in the best-case scenario, of course). In all seriousness, you’ll most likely end up with a community of people who want to share your brand. If even a small amount of those people actually use your actual animation service, it’s still worth your while.
Showcase Your Skills
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For freelance animators or animation studio owners, showcasing your skills is paramount to attracting high-value clients. While portfolios and demo reels are standard in the industry, an animated podcast can serve as a dynamic, living portfolio. Each episode you produce can be a testament to your expertise, creativity, and versatility in animation.
Think about it: each episode of your animated podcast is an opportunity to experiment with a different animation style, technique, or visual effect. This keeps your audience engaged and lets you illustrate your skills.
Potential clients who come across your animated podcast can instantly see your capabilities in action, making it easier for them to envision what you could bring to their projects.
By integrating an animated podcast into your marketing strategy, you're essentially killing two birds with one stone: you're both showcasing your skills and building a platform that can attract and retain a loyal following. It's a win-win situation that makes the concept of animated podcasts a true marketing goldmine.
Why You Should Pitch an Animated Podcast to Clients
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Now, there’s more than one way to skin a podcast. Using a podcast as your own brand tool is one thing, but selling this skill to a client opens up a whole new world. Here’s how.
It’s A Unique Selling Proposition
Offering to animate a client's existing podcast can be your golden ticket to differentiation.
This is more than just another service; it's a unique selling proposition (USP) that can set you miles apart from your competitors. While many animators can create videos or cartoons, fewer can claim expertise in producing an animated podcast. This specialized service not only showcases your diverse skill set but also adds a layer of value to your client's existing content.
Imagine a client who already has a successful podcast. By transforming it into an animated podcast, you're essentially offering them a way to repurpose and enrich their content.
This added value can be a compelling selling point, making you a more attractive choice compared to animators who only offer traditional services.
Ongoing Work
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One of the most appealing aspects of podcasts is their episodic nature. Unlike a one-off video project, podcasts are generally ongoing, with new episodes released on a regular basis.
This continuity presents a golden opportunity for animators and studios. When you secure a client for an animated podcast, you're not just signing up for a single project; you're essentially entering into a long-term relationship that promises consistent work.
This ongoing work translates into a steady income stream, a rare commodity in the often unpredictable freelance world.
For animation studios, it means better resource allocation since you can assign teams to work on the animated podcast over an extended period. The financial stability that comes from such long-term projects can be a significant advantage, allowing you to focus more on creativity and less on the hustle to find new clients.
Enhance Your Client's Brand
As with your own brand, the power of an animated podcast to elevate a client’s brand cannot be overstated. So, we’re going to state it again, but this time from the other angle.
When audiences engage with an animated podcast, they're more likely to remember the brand behind it. This increased brand recall can lead to higher customer loyalty and more opportunities for audience interaction, such as social media shares or word-of-mouth referrals. This we know.
For your clients, this level of audience engagement is invaluable and can significantly impact their brand's success. And when your clients succeed, so do you. Their success stories become part of your portfolio, showcasing your ability to deliver results and thereby attracting even more clients to your animation services.
How to Pitch an Animated Podcast to Clients: A Comprehensive Guide
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Pitching a new concept like an animated podcast to potential clients can be daunting, especially if they are not familiar with the medium.
Here's a guide on how to effectively pitch this concept, complete with five main points to include in your proposal.
Traditional podcasts already have a broad appeal, but adding an animation layer can attract an entirely new demographic interested in visual content.
2. Increase Audience Engagement
An animated podcast offers a multi-sensory experience that is far more likely to captivate listeners and encourage interaction.
3. Enhance Brand Image and Recognition
An animated podcast can serve as a unique brand touchpoint. The visual elements of the podcast can be tailored to align perfectly with your client's existing brand identity, thereby reinforcing it and making it more memorable.
This can lead to improved customer dedication and higher sales.
4. Ongoing Content Strategy
Unlike one-off marketing campaigns, an animated podcast can serve as an ongoing content strategy. This provides clients with a sustainable and long-term solution for audience engagement. The episodic nature of podcasts makes them ideal for keeping audiences coming back, creating multiple touchpoints for brand interaction.
5. Cite Successful Examples
Nothing adds credibility to a pitch like real-world success stories. Mentioning successful examples of animated podcasts, such as the Distractible Podcast featuring popular YouTuber Markiplier, can provide concrete evidence of the concept's viability.
These examples serve as social proof, reassuring potential clients that they are not the first to venture into this new medium and that success is achievable.
6. Cost-Effectiveness
Bonus point! While not always the primary concern, the cost-effectiveness of an animated podcast can be a persuasive point in your pitch.
Because podcasts are generally less expensive to produce than full-scale videos, they offer a more budget-friendly option for clients. When animated, they still remain a cost-effective solution compared to other forms of animated content, providing a high return on investment.
Is An Animated Podcast The Future of Your Animation Business?
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The concept of an animated podcast is still relatively new, but its potential is undeniable.
Whether you're looking to boost your own marketing efforts or offer new services to clients, an animated podcast provides a unique and effective solution.
If you're an animator looking to elevate your own marketing strategies, an animated podcast can serve as a dynamic platform to showcase your skills, build a loyal community, and significantly expand your reach. It's a multi-faceted approach that not only enhances your brand but also sets you apart in a competitive market.
On the flip side, by pitching this unique concept to potential or existing clients, you're providing a comprehensive solution that can revolutionize their brand engagement and audience reach. It's a win-win scenario that can lead to long-term partnerships and a consistent revenue stream.
So, as we navigate this ever-evolving digital landscape, the question isn't whether you should explore animated podcasts, but rather why you haven't started already.
Not sure how to incorporate this idea into your business or just looking for the right place to start first? Our Animation Business Accelerator Program provides insights, resources, and a supportive community to help professionals navigate the evolving landscape.
If you’re an animator who’s looking to start your own studio or grow your career, check out our blog on How to Start an Animation Studio to kickstart your animation career today or give our free Masterclass a try first if you’re curious.
