Today I’m going to answer the question, “how do I add an MP3 file to a blog post so my users can listen to the audio file?”
I created a video for you to watch, but if you don’t care for video there’s text below.
Watch the Video:
How to Embed an MP3 File into a Blog Post from Bonnie Gean
Instructions:
The first thing you need to do is create a new post; this is done the same way you would create a new article for your blog, so go inside your WordPress dashboard.
- Under the Posts heading, click “Add New”
- Name your blog post
- Insert your mouse pointer into the text box
- Click the “Add Media” button
- Choose “Upload Files” from the Media Library
- Click the “Select Files” button
- Choose the MP3 file from your computer and click the “Open” button
Once the file is uploaded to your media directory, you’ll want to revise the name and description. Once you’re done making the revisions to your audio file, choose “Embed Media Player” under the Attachment Display Settings.
Then, click the “Insert into post” button at the bottom of the screen and WordPress will insert the media player into your blog post.
Click the “Save Draft” button and check to make certain your media file plays properly before you make the blog post go live for users to enjoy.
That’s really all there is to it. If you want a snazzier looking audio player, you have options.
Audio Plugin Options
There are a many audio player plugins available for WordPress and they give you more options to play with on your blog! If you would like me to create another video to show you how to install an audio plugin, just let me know!
In the meantime, here are a few audio plugins to check out:
- Audio Player (my favorite)
- Compact Audio Player (very basic)
- HTML5 jQuery Audio Player (trendy looking)
Make Your Audio a Download File
If you would like to allow visitors to download your audio, here’s another video to show you how to get that done!
How do you add audio files to your blog? Leave a comment below and let me know!
Thanks for reading,
– Bonnie
P.S. Did you enjoy this message? If so, please share it with your friends so they can benefit from schmoozing. Then, if you want to get more messages like this one, connect with me via my social links below or hop aboard my notification list. I would like to keep in touch.
Good post and I was looking to add mp3 files to my blog and you showed us the best way ! Keep up the good work
Thanks! I’m glad you liked the tutorial!
Hi Bonnie,
I can’t seem to find the answer to my question, but after finding your article, I thought you might be able to help me. My question is: If I upload a song (mp3) to my wordpress blog, can people steal / download / copy it? My website has a music category where I spotlight musicians and their music. Since I have the CD, if I upload a song for a blog post I want to make sure it’s not easily scraped. The musicians are happy to have me promote their song, but we can’t find any information about the ability to steal it from uploading it via the native wordpress media option.
Thanks for any assistance you can provide!
The short answer is YES. If the file is made available (linked) on a web page, it’s free for the taking. AND, people will take it if it’s available from a browser window.
There are so many programs out there (mp3 grabber) that allow people to search web pages for MP3 files to download them; and, people do it all the time.
My suggestion would be NOT to upload the entire song. Do what iTunes does – and give them 30 seconds of it and end it there. That way if people do download it, they aren’t getting the entire song – just a portion of it.
Thanks for the tips, Bonnie. I am planning to introduce audio in my blog posts next year and am in research and learning mode. I’m new to your blog so my question may be a little silly. How can one do the same in Blogger? I have 2 separate blogs. Thanks in advance.
Unfortunately, I don’t use Blogger so I can’t give you any help there… but my question back to you is – “does blogger allow you to insert video?”
I ask because third party services (where you don’t host your own blog domain) usually don’t offer you the same capabilities as a self-hosted blog.
If you can add video to blogger, I would use Google to search on “How to install video to a blogger blog” and see what comes up.
Thank you Bonnie! Great tip. I haven’t had a chance to do this year but hopefully soon when I start on an upcoming voice project.
Awesome! Let me know when you start sharing audio! I would love to put a voice to the face and name! hehe 😉
You are a very good teacher Bonnie Gean, and I always learn something of value when I drop by! I must look into the plugins you provided. Thanks, Wendy
Awe, thanks Wendy! I am so glad you’re learning something new when you drop in! You MUST drop in more often! 🙂
If there’s anything you’re wondering about and need me to create a video to help you understand better – please do ask! I welcome the chance to help you more!
I am so glad that I found you. This video was just what I needed to know. I am sure there is so much more I can learn from you.
This new fan is visiting from UBC, but will be back!
I’m willing to bet there is something else I can teach you. Have you got anything holding you back (technology wise) that I can help out with? Let me know and I’ll create a new tutorial!
Great tutorial Bonnie!
I don’t tend to add audio only to my blog, but I was toying with reading my own posts and embeding that. I don’t like the computerised voice readers personally – I’m sure people will love hearing my woollyback accent regularly lol
Someone from the article writing challenge just started doing this too (reading their posts), but for the life of me, I can’t remember who it was off the top of my head.
I would DEFINITELY love listening to your accent! 🙂
very useful post, especially for those who are beginner and just starting work with WP, thank for sharing useful tip. ubc
You’re welcome! Love to see new faces from UBC! If there is anything you need help with, please let me know!
Hi Bonnie
Thanks for yet another useful post. Including audio in my blog wasn’t something I’d ever thought about doing, but it does make complete sense. (Perhaps a way to avoid making the dreaded videos LOL)
Joy
Oh yes, Joy! I totally agree! You could cater to audio listeners because there are plenty of them who would rather listen than read. Let them download the file to their iPhones and/or other digital devices and they can take your message with them as they travel! Perfect way to stay in touch!
I love visiting with you Bonnie because I always learn something new. This is such a trial and error thing for me, this wordpress blogging thing, but I’m much further ahead each day. Dying to give this a try. Much better than trying to upload to youtube first.
Likewise, Veronica – I love having you visit the blog!
Yep, much better than sending your blog visitors over to YouTube. Keep them on your pages as long as you can. 🙂
Thanks, Bonnie.
Can’t wait to try it!
Shan 🙂
Let me know how it turns out for you Shan! 🙂
It’s great, thank you. I’ve put all the audios in the relevant posts and listened to them.
Chuffed to bits!
Shan
I am SO GLAD you were able to follow the instructions and get your audio to play! I’ve already gone and listened to the first 2 audios. 🙂
I can’t wait to finish the series! Congratulations, Shan! You’re a go-getter!
I don’t embed too many audio’s, but seems I’ve always had trouble getting it to work right for me. Guess I was doing it wrong huh?
Thank you for the instructions Bonnie. I’ll be saving this so I won’t have trouble next time.
Seems I remember trying plug-ins before and no much luck either. I’ve give the ones you listed a try.
One quick thing, if I remember right, plug-ins that use jQuery, can possibly mess up blog sliders. It’s happen to me. Not saying that particular plug-in will, just something I’ve run in to, and couldn’t figure out why my slide show stopped. Just something to keep in mind. 🙂
If it wasn’t working, it usually means something went wrong. 🙂 hehe
I love the Audio Player (my favorite) as you can change the color of the player to match the theme of your website, too!
I don’t run too many sliders, so I didn’t know that about jQuery. I’ll keep that in mind should someone ask about it. Thanks for the tidbits, Ron!
This is a good post! Thanks for sharing.
Maybe I’ll put music on my blog!
That would be awesome! Will you be singing in the audio, too? 🙂