If you’re reading this, it means you are ready to start creating your podcast intro and outro!
We work with various podcasting clients, editing, adding on-brand music, mixing, and mastering their intro/outro. Although we do all the heavy lifting to make it sound professional, it is up to the show host to come up with what to say.
This guide will help with exactly that, we will break down everything you need to know to come up with an effective script to use on your podcast intro/outro. Before we get started it will be important for you to understand:
Why are Podcast Intros/Outros Important?
The intro sets the tone for the entire episode and is the listener's first impression of your podcast. A well-crafted intro can grab the listener's attention and get them excited about what they're about to hear. Intros and outros are an opportunity to reinforce your podcast's branding. A consistent intro and outro can help listeners identify and remember your podcast.
Also, a well-produced intro and outro can make your podcast sound more professional and polished. It shows that you take your podcast seriously and are committed to delivering quality content to your listeners.
How to Create an Effective Podcast Intro
Step 1: Keep your intro short and to the point
Try to aim between 10 - 30 seconds, although that doesn’t seem long it is very important to get your listeners to the content of the episode fast. We are now in the TikTok/Instagram reel short attention span era, so we want it to be catchy, informative, and short.
Step 2: Introduce Your Podcast Name
You want to be memorable, and you want the listeners to know how to find you again so start with your podcast name. Could be as simple as Welcome to the “Insert Podcast Name” Podcast…
Step 3: Introduce Your Show & Why Your Audience Should Listen
People are consuming a lot of different types of content, and you want to differentiate yourself from the crowd. You can do this by targeting a specific group of people (E.g. Entrepreneurs, Video Game Lovers, Outdoorsy Nature Types, etc..) and telling them what your podcast is about and how it will add value to their life! Will you be interviewing top CEOs with experiences they can learn from? Will you be talking with psychologists about how to overcome mental health struggles? Regardless of what it is, let the right people know in a sentence or two what they will get out of it. This part is important so take your time to think through it.
Step 4: Introduce yourself and any co-hosts
It can be effective to mention your name and any other co-hosts. This will make it more personal to the listeners so they can connect with you. It can just be the name or a bit more of how you are connected to the podcast topic. However keep it short, a lot of times just the name works well.
Step 5: Know the Vibe You’re going for
From the moment someone hits play they should be able to feel the vibe of your podcast. Whether it’s more lighthearted or more intense, make sure you are talking in a tone that fits the mood you are trying to convey.
Also if your choosing the music or hiring that out to a professional podcast studio make sure you have an idea of what type of music you want that would fit great. Could be classical, hip-hop, inspirational piano, pop, rock, electronic, Lo-fi, etc…
BONUS TIP: Compare Your Intro Script to your FAVOURITE Podcast
If you have listened to a podcast you love, see how your intro script stacks up, don’t try to copy it but you can get inspired and tweak yours accordingly. However, do keep in mind that there are some popular podcasts that only have music, since they already have millions of listeners they can get away with that, it is important for you to have a branding structure that will entice more people to listen. Try to listen to some popular podcast intros that aren’t too famous yet.
How to Create a Memorable Podcast Outro
Step 1: Thank them for listening
If someone made it all the way until the end of one of your episodes, show your appreciation! A simple “thank you” or “thanks for listening to the (Insert Podcast Name) podcast” can go a long way. Always end on a positive note, make sure you convey this in your tone and try to be as authentic as possible.
Step 2: Briefly Mention What Your Podcast is About (Again)
You did this in more detail in the intro, however, try to rephrase it in a shorter way to remind your audience what the purpose of this podcast is so they leave with a nice reminder on why they should keep tuning in.
Step 3: Add a Call-to-Action
This is the most important step of the outro, find out what you want your listeners to do after they listened to your podcast. Do you want them to subscribe to the podcast so that they can be updated on more episodes? Do you want to send them to your website? or join your mailing list where you can email them? There are lots of options but choose what is most important to you based on your goals.
Overall, podcast intros and outros are very important because they help create a connection between the listener and the podcast, provide important information, and add to the overall production value of the show. I hope you found this guide helpful, and we look forward to reading what you come up with for your intro and outro script!
All the best,
Jony Mansilla
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If you need help making your podcast sound amazing, we offer podcast editing, mixing, and mastering services that can help elevate your brand and clearly share your message.
Learn more about our podcast production services and hear a sample of our work here. We look forward to adding massive value to your podcast development process.
