Do audiograms for your podcast actually drive engagement in 2025? Or are they a waste of time? Let’s settle the debate, once and for all.
Ah, audiograms. Those snappy little video clips with waveforms dancing to your voice, captions popping in sync, and your podcast brand on full display. A few years ago, they were everywhere. You couldn’t scroll through LinkedIn or Instagram without scrolling into at least five of them. But now it’s 2025, and we have a question…
Do audiograms still work, or are they just “everyone is doing it so I better do it, too” type content that no one clicks on or cares about anymore?
Let’s find out.
Related read: How to Measure the Success of Your B2B Podcast
But first…
What Even Is an Audiogram?
If you’re new to the term, audiograms are short, shareable videos that turn audio clips from your podcast into visual content, usually overlaid with captions, waveforms, and your branding. Not to be confused with the graph that shows your results of a pure-tone hearing test. If you’re looking for more information on that kind of audiogram, you’re in the wrong place. (But welcome! Have you considered starting a podcast?)
Back to podcast audiograms.
Think: your golden soundbites from value-packed episodes turned into scroll-stoppers for Instagram or LinkedIn, or whichever platform your audience hangs out on. (But perhaps don’t necessarily use these ‘as is’ for YouTube shorts. Ask us about this, though. We have some thoughts.)
But in any case, podcast audiograms are designed to grab attention, increase discoverability, and drive listeners back to the full episode. In theory, a perfect piece of micro-content.
So, Why Are Some Saying They’re a Waste of Time
There’s been some pushback on audiograms lately. And to be honest, some of it’s fair. Here’s why some podcasters have axed audiograms from their podcast marketing strategy:
- Low engagement rates. In a hyper-visual world, an animated waveform isn’t always enough to stop the scroll.
- Lack of originality. Most audiograms look the same. Listeners have seen it all before, and so, they’re not driving the type of engagement they promise.
- Time-consuming to create. Even with tools like Headliner or Descript, editing, captioning, and formatting takes effort.
- No measurable growth. This one sounds a little like this: “We posted five audiograms last month and got… five likes. They’re not worth it.”
All valid points. But here’s the thing…
Audiograms Still Work…If You Use Them Right
The problem isn’t the format. The problem is using audiograms like it’s still 2019. If you treat them as a quick clip and post it with a vague, generic caption like, “Check out our latest episode”… yeah, you probably are wasting your time on audiograms.
But when used strategically? Audiograms can still punch well above their weight.
And here’s how to make them matter! (And better!)
1. Clip for Value, Not Vibes
The clips you pick for your audiograms needs to earn attention. So take the time to pick the right segments. Choose audio pieces that:
- Challenge assumptions
- Offer an immediate ‘takeaway’ insight
- Spark curiosity
- Say what others won’t
Think of your audiogram as a mini teaser or trailer. Would you click to hear more?
2. Caption Everything. Intentionally.
Up to 85% of social video is watched on mute. And so a) captioning your audiograms is a must. But b) if your captions don’t grab attention, you’re dead in the feed. We recommend going beyond automatic transcription. Take the time to edit your captions for rhythm, clarity, and for easy, intuitive reading. Edit for complete sentences. Ensure those sentences don’t end in weird places. In short, make
You could even consider using formatting to emphasize key words. The key thing it to make it as engaging as possible!
3. Format for the Platform
When we’re talking about audiograms, one size does not fit all! You have to take the time to format your videos to whatever platform you’re sharing to.
Here are some things to consider:
- For Instagram Reels and TikTok: You want vertical, fast-paced, subtitle-heavy.
- LinkedIn: For LinkedIn, you want square or landscape-orientated videos, and more thoughtful messaging – here is where you share your “thought-leadership” hot takes.
- X (Twitter): For this platform, aim for short, opinion-driven clips that add to conversations, or, if you’re brave, spark debates.
Takeaway: If you want your audiograms to really work, match the format to the channel’s behavior to help garner that all-important engagement.
4. Make Them Part of a System
Don’t just drop one random audiogram and hope for the best. We’re sorry to break it to you, but that just won’t cut it. You need to really have a plan as to how you’ll use them:
Some dynamic options:
- Embedded in newsletters or blog posts
- In retargeted ads for warm leads
- To reinforce talking points in a campaign
When audiograms support a content ecosystem, they reinforce your message, they don’t just repeat it.
5. Let Tools (or a Team!) Do the Heavy Lifting
Creating the audiograms that are worthwhile will take time. But you can definitely “outsource” that heavy lifting!
We love:
- Headliner – for easy waveform creation and templates
- Descript – for seamless clip cutting, transcription, and captions
- We Edit Podcasts – Oh hey! That’s us! Let us handle your audiograms (or videograms) for you! We can help you pick the best points for your different marketing channels and create eye-catching visuals to to the scroll!
So…Are Audiograms Worth It?
Yes. But only if you’re strategic.
If you’re cranking them out like an afterthought, you’ll get afterthought results. But if you use audiograms as part of a broader B2B content strategy – tailored to your platform, audience, and message – they still have the power to stop the scroll and spark the click.
So no, audiograms aren’t dead.
But lazy audiograms?
Yeah, those are long gone.
Want Audiograms That Actually Drive Growth?
At We Edit Podcasts, we help brands turn episodes into high-performing marketing assets, from strategy to final clip.
Take a look at our Marketing Add-Ons here.
