To make a podcast audiogram, pick a 30 to 60 second moment that stands alone, clean the audio, and build a 9:16 layout: cover art at the top, a simple waveform in the middle, big captions below. Add the show name, a hook line in the first 3 seconds and an end card saying where to listen.
Real outputs from the Videotto template gallery.
Anatomy of a podcast audiogram
An audiogram has one job: make people read along with a voice they cannot see. The captions matter most, then the waveform, then everything else.
| Part | What it looks like | How to ask for it |
|---|---|---|
| Cover art | Your show art, large, near the top | "show cover art at the top" |
| Waveform | Bars or a line reacting to the voice | "a white waveform reacting to the voice" |
| Captions | Large, a few words at a time, high contrast | "big captions, a few words at a time" |
| Labels | Show name, episode, speaker name | "show name and episode number above the waveform" |
| Colour | Your brand colours, one accent for key words | "brand navy background, key words in yellow" |
| Ending | Where to listen, a short line | "end on: listen to the full episode" |
Worked example: a 45 second audiogram from a solo episode
An illustration, not a real show. The episode is a 40 minute solo podcast about personal finance, and the chosen moment is a short story about a first budget, which makes sense without the rest of the episode.
| Time | On screen | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 s | Hook headline: "I tracked every coffee for a year" | The line itself, pulled from 0:31 of the clip |
| 3 to 20 s | Cover art, waveform, captions three to four words at a time | The setup of the story |
| 20 to 35 s | A small icon of a receipt appears with the number on screen | The surprising total |
| 35 to 42 s | Key words in the accent colour | The lesson in one sentence |
| 42 to 45 s | End card: show name, "full episode on all podcast apps" | Music tail |
At a normal talking pace of about 150 words a minute, 45 seconds is roughly 110 words, which works out to around 30 caption screens of three to four words. That is why caption size and timing matter more than any visual flourish.
How to make a podcast audiogram in 6 steps
- Bring the audio. Upload the episode file or paste a YouTube link to the episode.
- Pick the moment. Ask Otto to find the strongest 30 to 60 seconds, or give the start and end time you want. It has to make sense to someone who has never heard the show and start on the interesting part, not the lead in.
- Clean the sound. If the recording has noise or echo, ask for it to be cleaned first. Bad audio is the fastest way to lose a listener.
- Choose the layout. Cover art on top, waveform in the middle, captions below is the classic 9:16 layout. Keep captions above the bottom 15% of the frame, where app buttons sit.
- Style the captions. Big, three to five words at a time, key words in your accent colour.
- Add the end card. Show name and where to listen, held for 2 to 3 seconds.
If you do have video of the episode, a normal clip with the speaker on screen usually beats an audiogram. Audiograms shine for audio only shows, phone interviews and voice notes.
Podcast audiogram prompt for Otto
Adapted from real requests Videotto users sent to Otto. Swap in your colours and the length you want.
Make a podcast audiogram, vertical 9:16, from the episode I uploaded. Find the strongest 45 second moment that makes sense on its own. Clean up the audio: remove background noise and echo. Layout: show cover art at the top, a white waveform reacting to the voice in the middle, big captions below. Show name and episode number above the waveform. Background in [brand colour], key words in [accent colour]. Put the most surprising line as a headline in the first three seconds. End on: listen to the full episode, with the show name.
Shorter audiogram prompts
- "Turn this voice note into a video with a waveform and captions."
- "Make five audiograms from this episode, each a different topic."
- "Use a round waveform around the cover art."
- "Show the speaker's name when they start talking."
Audiogram sizes, lengths and tools
Post the same moment in more than one shape if your audience is spread across platforms.
| Where | Aspect | Resolution | Good length |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok, Reels, Shorts | 9:16 | 1080x1920 | 30 to 60 seconds |
| Instagram or Facebook feed | 4:5 or 1:1 | 1080x1350 or 1080x1080 | 30 to 60 seconds |
| 1:1 | 1080x1080 | 30 to 90 seconds | |
| X | 1:1 or 16:9 | 1080x1080 or 1920x1080 | 30 to 60 seconds |
Dedicated audiogram tools such as Headliner, and editors such as Descript or Canva, all make this format with templates. Built by hand in a general editor like Premiere Pro, one 45 second audiogram with timed captions typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, mostly on caption timing. With Otto it is a first draft from the prompt plus a few minutes of changes, and asking for five clips from one episode is the same request with a different number.
A few extras make an audiogram feel like a real video: a small photo of whoever is speaking that switches with the speaker, an icon or number that appears on a key point, and a slow push in on the cover art.
Audiogram mistakes that lose listeners
- Small captions. The words are the content. On a phone, captions should be readable at arm's length.
- A busy waveform. A loud, jumpy meter distracts from the words. A thin line or a few soft bars is enough.
- A clip with no point. A great line in a plain audiogram beats a weak line in a beautiful one. Pick a moment that lands on its own.
- No call to action. Tell people where to find the full episode, by show name, not a URL nobody can tap.
FAQ
What is an audiogram for a podcast?
An audiogram for a podcast is a short video made from an audio clip, usually showing the show's cover art, an animated waveform that moves with the voice and captions of the words being said. It lets audio only podcasts post clips on video first platforms like Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn, where a plain audio file cannot be shared.
Do audiograms still work on social media?
Audiograms still work on social media when the moment is strong and the captions are large, but they compete with full video clips, which usually hold attention better. If your show records video, post clips of the speakers. If it is audio only, an audiogram is the practical way to share moments, and the line you choose matters more than the design.
What is the best length for a podcast audiogram?
The best length for a podcast audiogram is usually 30 to 60 seconds: long enough for one complete idea, short enough that people finish it. Under 20 seconds rarely gives a story room to land. Longer clips can work on LinkedIn or YouTube, but only when the moment holds attention all the way through.
How do I make an audiogram for free?
You can make an audiogram for free with the free tiers of tools like Headliner or Canva, which offer waveform templates, though free plans often limit exports or add a watermark. A manual option is a free editor such as CapCut or DaVinci Resolve, with a waveform effect and auto captions, at the cost of more setup time.
Should I use a waveform or captions in an audiogram?
You should use both in an audiogram, but captions matter far more than the waveform. Many people watch with the sound off, so the captions carry the words, while the waveform simply shows that audio is playing. If space is tight on a small screen, shrink the waveform and keep the captions large.
Make your next video with Otto
Tell Otto what you want in plain words. It cuts, captions and animates the video for you.
