So, you’ve launched your podcast—congrats! Now comes the big question: how do you get new listeners to actually tune in?
Here’s the good news: podcast clips are your secret weapon. They’re easy to create, cost next to nothing, and can help your show reach a whole new audience.
In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to create podcast clips that people can’t help but watch, share, and comment on. Let’s dive in!
Podcast clips—sometimes called audiograms or videograms—are short, punchy snippets taken from your full podcast episodes.
They’re not just any random chunk of audio or video, though. A good podcast clip should hook people in and leave them wanting more.
The reality is that people aren’t just going to magically stumble across your podcast—you need to meet them where they are.
In today’s fast-paced digital world, the real buzz lives on social media. Billions of people are swiping through short videos every day on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.
And here’s the beauty of podcast clips: they’re built to ride the wave of social media algorithms. One share leads to another, and before you know it, your podcast is reaching people who had no idea it existed.
Asking someone to commit to a full hour-long episode can be a tough sell if they aren’t already familiar with your content. But a 30-second clip? That’s much easier for people to consume and might just hook them enough to turn a casual scroller into a loyal listener.
Short-form clips let you tease the best parts of your content without overwhelming viewers. You want to leave them wanting more—not scrolling past.
Your podcast episodes are already a treasure trove of content, so why not squeeze every last drop of value out of them? A good clip can repurpose your best moments into high-impact, shareable content. Plus, short-form videos boast the highest ROI (return on investment) of any social media strategy, according to Yaguara.
Translation - Podcast clips are not only a way to keep your content fresh but also attract high-value listeners without a lot of cost or effort. It’s a win-win!
Now that you understand why podcast clips are the key to growing your audience, let’s get into how to create one that stops people from scrolling and goes viral.
The truth is, there are lots of different ways to go viral, but only one we've found that can be easily replicated time and time again.
Nothing matters more than the first five seconds of your clip. If you don’t grab attention immediately, viewers will scroll past without a second thought. A strong hook stops the scroll and makes people think, I need to hear this.
Every second of your clip needs to keep people engaged and drive them toward the final payoff. The best clips come from moments that trigger an emotional reaction—whether it’s laughter, surprise, or inspiration. As you review your episode, look for these goldmine moments:
•Personal Stories
•Relatable Anecdotes
•Useful Tips
•Surprising Facts/ Controversy
•Funny Moments
Be ruthless in your editing—if a second of your clip doesn’t add value, cut it. Rapid jump cuts and pacing keep viewers hooked.
As soon as people get what they came for, they’ll scroll—so don’t give it to them too soon. The payoff should be the moment they’ve been waiting for, whether it’s the answer to your hook, a punchline, or a powerful takeaway. Make them feel like watching the entire clip was worth it.
As soon as people get what they came for, they’ll scroll—so don’t give it to them too soon. The payoff should be the moment they’ve been waiting for, whether it’s the answer to your hook, a punchline, or a powerful takeaway. Make them feel like watching the entire clip was worth it.
Here’s a clip we produced for Join The Docs using the viral hook structure, capturing a fascinating chat between our favourite doctor duo about old vagotomy surgeries.
As a result, they gained hundreds of thousands of views and engagements on Instagram and TikTok, plus a big boost in podcast downloads.
The takeaway: Authentic, engaging podcast clips lead to viral growth and bring listeners back to your full episodes.
Selecting the best bits from your episode is the first step. If you want it to go viral, you need to give it the best chance to shine on social platforms.
Here’s your checklist:
The thumbnail is often the first thing people see. Make it pop with bold colours, a clean layout, expressive facial expressions, and a headline that sparks curiosity.
Captions are an absolute must—not just for accessibility (although that’s crucial)—but because they’re a secret weapon for SEO (search engine optimisation). They help your clips get discovered when people search for similar topics.
And because over 80% of social video is watched on mute, adding captions reduces the chances of someone scrolling past.
Hashtags are like breadcrumbs, leading people straight to your content and expanding its reach. Start with 3-5 relevant hashtags per post, and don’t be afraid to experiment—it’s all about finding what resonates with your niche.
In short, these little tweaks send signals to social media platforms to help them recognise your clip as something that people want to watch, increasing the chances of it appearing in viewers’ recommended feeds.
When it comes to social media, less is often more. According to Wyzowl, the sweet spot is between 30 and 60 seconds but this can vary from platform to platform.
TikTok and Instagram Reels respond better to vertical clips under 60 seconds, whereas, YouTube Shorts favour clips up to 60 seconds but can also work well with slightly longer, detailed content.
Ready to create viral-worthy podcast clips? Follow these steps:
Now that you have all the tools to create viral podcast clips, it’s time to start clipping those great moments from your episodes and watch as your podcast audience grows!
Need help with editing, strategy, or promotion? Reach out to Podshop —your one-stop shop for all things podcasting.
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