🎄 It’s Christmas Eve! 🎄

All the gifts are wrapped, the ribbons tied, and the tree is glowing.

But wait... What about the little tags with “To” and “From” written on them?
Without those final details, your carefully chosen gifts might go unnoticed.

The same applies to your audio story.

Now that you’ve wrapped it up, it’s time for the finishing touches: metadata, music reports, and accessibility.
These small steps might feel like paperwork, but they ensure your story is polished, professional, and easy to find.

Metadata: Labeling Your Story

Metadata is like the gift tag on your story.
It tells platforms and listeners what they’re receiving.
It might seem minor, but it’s critical for discoverability and professionalism.

Here’s what to include:

• Title:
  
  Clear, concise, and engaging.

• Author/Producer:
  
  Your name or your team’s name.

• Description:
  
  A short summary of your story, including key themes and details.

• Tags:
  
  Keywords that make your story easier to find.

• Artwork:
  
  The visual representation of your story—a thumbnail or cover image.
  
  

🎧 Pro Tip: Metadata is essential for podcast directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Double-check spelling and consistency. It’s how people find and connect with your work.

Music Reports: Crediting Creators

If you’ve used music in your story, you might need to submit a music cue sheet or report to credit the composers and license holders.

This is especially important for:

• Broadcast Radio:
  
  Stations often require detailed music reports.

• Licensed Music:
  
  Ensures compliance with copyright laws.
  
  

🎧 Pro Tip: Keep a record of all music used, including track titles, composers, durations, and license details.

Some DAWs can even export a list of all the music used in your piece, making this process quicker and more efficient.

Accessibility: Make Your Story Inclusive

Accessibility ensures everyone can enjoy your story, regardless of their abilities or circumstances.
Adding accessibility features isn’t just about inclusion. It can also help broaden your audience and improve discoverability.

Here’s how you can make your story more inclusive:

• Subtitles or Captions:
  
  For stories with visual elements, captions help viewers follow along.

• Transcripts:
  
  Provide a written version of your audio for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, or those who simply prefer reading.

• Export Formats:
  
  It’s crucial to export your transcription in accessible formats like SRT, VTT, TXT, JSON, or HTML, depending on where and how it will be used.
  
  

🎧 Pro Tip: Offering a variety of transcription formats ensures compatibility with platforms and tools, making your story more accessible and versatile.

Presentation: A Polished Package

Before you share your story, do a final quality check:

• Listen Again:
  
  Play the story from start to finish, focusing on flow, transitions, and any small tweaks.

• Proofread Metadata:
  
  Double-check titles, descriptions, and tags for errors.

• Test Playback:
  
  Ensure the story sounds good across platforms and devices.

🎧 Pro Tip: Think of this step as fluffing the bow on your Christmas gift.

It’s the final touch that makes everything shine.

🎁 Today’s Challenge:

1. Add metadata to your audio file, ensuring all details are accurate and engaging.

2. If you’ve used music, prepare a simple music report with track titles, composers, and licenses.

3. Consider accessibility: create a transcript and export it in at least one accessible format.

🎄✨ Tomorrow: It’s Christmas Day! And there just might be a present under the tree.