What is Soundbite?
The podcast:soundbite tag marks short audio clips within episodes that can be used for sharing or preview purposes. Specified by start time and duration, soundbites highlight compelling moments that make great promotional content.
Soundbite Tag Structure
<podcast:soundbite startTime="1234" duration="45">
The most impactful quote
</podcast:soundbite>
| Attribute | Purpose |
|---|---|
startTime |
When the soundbite begins (seconds) |
duration |
Length of the soundbite (seconds) |
| Element content | Optional title/description |
Example Episode with Soundbites
<item>
<title>Interview with Industry Expert</title>
<!-- Multiple soundbites per episode -->
<podcast:soundbite startTime="543" duration="30">
The future of podcasting
</podcast:soundbite>
<podcast:soundbite startTime="1256" duration="45">
Surprising industry insight
</podcast:soundbite>
</item>
Soundbite Use Cases
| Use Case | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Social sharing | Pre-selected highlight clips |
| Preview content | Taste before full episode |
| Promotional material | Best moments for marketing |
| Clip discovery | Find shareable moments |
App Support
| Feature | Apps |
|---|---|
| Soundbite playback | Fountain, Podverse |
| Easy sharing | Fountain (clip sharing built-in) |
| Preview playback | Various Podcast 2.0 apps |
Ideal Soundbite Characteristics
| Quality | Description |
|---|---|
| Self-contained | Makes sense without context |
| Compelling | Interesting enough to share |
| Appropriate length | 15-60 seconds typically |
| Clean audio | No interruptions or crosstalk |
Why It Matters
Soundbites pre-package your best moments for sharing. Instead of listeners having to find shareable clips themselves, you curate the highlights.
Why soundbites matter:
-
Frictionless sharing: Listeners can share clips without editing.
-
Curated promotion: You control which moments represent your show.
-
Discovery tool: Potential listeners can sample before committing.
-
Marketing assets: Pre-selected content for social media.
The sharing problem soundbites solve:
| Without Soundbites | With Soundbites |
|---|---|
| "You should listen to this episode" | "Listen to this exact moment" |
| Requires full episode commitment | Quick preview possible |
| No natural share mechanism | One-tap clip sharing |
| Manual clip creation | Pre-curated highlights |
Soundbite strategy:
| Episode Type | Soundbite Approach |
|---|---|
| Interview | Key insights, memorable quotes |
| Educational | Core lessons, surprising facts |
| Comedy | Best jokes, memorable moments |
| News | Important takeaways |
Selecting soundbites:
| Criteria | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Standalone clarity | Makes sense without episode context |
| Interest hook | Compels further listening |
| Audio quality | Represents show well |
| Shareability | Content people want to share |
How to Use This in Dispatch
Mark soundbites while editing episodes to highlight shareable moments:
Creating soundbites:
- Open episode in the editor
- Navigate to the Soundbites section
- Set start time and duration
- Add an optional title/description
- Soundbites are added to your RSS feed
Best practices:
- Select 1-3 soundbites per episode
- Keep them 15-60 seconds
- Choose self-contained, compelling moments
- Title them descriptively
How soundbites are used:
- Apps with soundbite support display them for easy playback
- Listeners can share clips directly from supporting apps
- Podcast discovery apps may feature soundbites
Social media integration: Use soundbite timestamps to create audiograms or video clips for social media promotion.