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If you’re a seasoned podcast listener, you can probably recognise your favourite shows just from their intro. 

A strong podcast intro gives your show a unique personality and warm welcome that listeners can immediately recognise. It’s also crucial to winning over new listeners – our friends at The Podcast Host discovered that 27.5% of listeners only give a new podcast 5 minutes to grab them!

Just as important is your podcast outro, a place where you can give credit to your collaborators, ask listeners to rate, review and subscribe, send them to your website or social media, or drive them to bonus content or your memberships link. 

So, what goes into starting and ending a podcast in a way that hooks in listeners and keeps them coming back for more? Here, we’ll talk you through exactly what a strong podcast intro/outro should do, what to include in each and give you some of the best examples we’ve found for inspiration!

How to Build a Podcast Intro and Outro that Grab Listeners Instantly

Before getting stuck into what your podcast intro and outro should include, it’s important to understand what you’re trying to achieve with each segment. 

The goal with your podcast intro is to: 

• Grab a listener’s attention immediately
• Let them know what they’re listening to, and who you are
• Set the tone for the episode ahead
• Fill them in on the content and what they can expect

The goal with your podcast outro is to:

• Convert listeners into subscribers
• Ask for and share listener reviews
• Showcase your other channels, such as your social media, website or Captivate Memberships.
• Credit your collaborators, such as your producer, network, designer or composer

With these goals and considerations in mind, you can easily craft a turbo-charged intro/outro script that wins over new listeners, engages existing ones and benefits you as a podcaster, too. 

Now, let’s get into exactly how to build a podcast intro and outro of your own!

1. Put Yourself in Your Listener’s Shoes

New listeners who’ve got as far as trying out your episodes for the first time will have zero loyalty to you. They’re not invested in you or your community just yet; there’s no pull apart from their own curiosity. Heck, even repeat listeners and subscribers can just as easily bounce to the next show!

To hook in listeners instantly, you need to be able to answer the question, “what’s in it for me?”

All listeners want to be entertained (consistently). They want to be engaged, moved, educated or motivated enough to share your episode with their friends. They want to know where they can find or follow you, where they can get more episodes and how they can support you as a creator. Your podcast intro and outro is the space for you to do all of that!

2. Choose The Right Music

Choosing the right music is a really important factor in setting the tone for your podcast as well as making it recognisable for subscribers. It also shows them that your show is well produced, considered and structured – all the things you want from a podcast!

When it comes to finding podcast music, here are your best options:

Editor’s note: * denote affiliate links. We earn a small commission should you choose to purchase through them, at no cost to you. 

• Music Radio Creative* are very well respected in the industry. As well as purchasing from their library of royalty-free tracks, they can create bespoke intro/outro music for you, produce your voiceover and build both segments for you. Hands off, professionally produced and completely unique.

• Fiverr* is a freelance marketplace where you can commission professionals to create bespoke work on your behalf. Check out the musicians and podcast producers to find someone that suits your needs – or ask in our Facebook group for personal recommendations!

Want to know more? We’ve written a full guide on choosing the right intro and outro music for your podcast, and have a full library of podsafe tracks for you to download freely!

3. Prepare Your Scripts

Whether you’re pre-recording your segments or reading them live, you need a script. Writing everything down will make sure you don’t miss anything important, and will help you to quickly summarize rather than going on a tangent!

Example podcast intro script

[Upbeat music fades in]

Host: “Welcome to another exciting episode of [Podcast Name]! I’m your host, [Your Name], and I’m thrilled to have you with us today. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a first-time listener, get ready for a captivating journey into [Podcast Name], where we explore [briefly mention the main theme or topics of your podcast].”

[Music transitions to a more energetic beat]

Host: “In today’s episode, we’ve got a [insert intriguing adjective] conversation lined up for you. We’ll be diving deep into [mention the main topic or interviewee], unraveling the mysteries, sharing insights, and having a few laughs along the way.”

[Pause for a moment]

Host: “But before we jump in, a quick reminder to subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoy what you hear. Your support means the world to us and helps [Podcast Name] reach even more curious minds like yours.”

[Music fades out]

Host: “Alright, let’s get started. Get ready to be entertained, informed, and inspired. This is [Podcast Name]!”

[Upbeat music returns]

Host: “Stay tuned, and let’s embark on this exciting journey together!”

[Music continues briefly]

Example podcast outro script

[Upbeat music playing]

Host: “And that wraps up another fantastic episode of [Podcast Name]! Today we covered [Topic] and [briefly explain the main takeaway(s) from the episode]. We hope you enjoyed the conversation as much as we did. If you have any thoughts, questions, or just want to say hello, we’d love to hear from you.”

[Transition to a more reflective tone]

Host: “Remember, you can always catch up on previous episodes and stay connected with us on social media. Find us on [mention social media handles] to join the [Podcast Name] community.”

[Express gratitude]

Host: “A big thank you to our incredible guests today for sharing their wisdom and experiences. And of course, thank you, dear listeners, for tuning in. Your support means everything to us.”

[Encourage engagement]

Host: “Before we say goodbye, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback helps us improve and brings more amazing content to your ears.”

[Closing remarks]

Host: “A quick reminder that new episodes go out every [Day]. Stay curious, stay inspired, and until next time, this is [Your Name] signing off from [Podcast Name]. Take care, and we’ll catch you on the airwaves!”

[Music fades out]

How long should a podcast intro and outro be?

If you’re wondering how long a podcast intro and outro should be, we recommend anywhere between 30 seconds – 2 minutes. 

Your podcast intro should be short and sharp, so that you don’t frustrate your listener with useless filler or tempt them to skip and miss content. 

Your podcast outro can be a lot longer, as it’s your opportunity to win new subscribers, ask for reviews or promote your other media channels.

What Should a Podcast Intro Say?

Here are things you should always include in your podcast intro. These aren’t hard and fast rules, and they won’t be appropriate for certain formats, like narrative or fiction podcasts, but they’re a good rule of thumb to follow.

• Do include your name!
• Do tell them what they’re listening to – people do all sorts of things whilst listening to podcasts, so it’s important to remind them what your show is called!
• Do add your tagline to tell your listener who your podcast is for, and why it’s relevant to them. 
• Do include a summary of the episode ahead, and namecheck any guests you have coming up! Here, you could include a cold open – a stand-out clip from the episode – to set the tone.
• Do address important business upfront, such as disclaimers, spoiler alerts, new merch or new bonus content. Get those big calls-to-action right at the start, in pride of place!
• Do include a hook e.g. briefly describe what the episode will discuss
• Finally, don’t be tempted with “hey guys!” – address your listener directly, as an individual. 

What Should a Podcast Outro Say?

Here are some common things lots of podcasters include in their podcast outros – for good reason! Your outro is your chance to get listeners engaging with you and your content – don’t waste it!

• Do thank your listener for tuning in. You’re trying to build a rapport with your listener, so they feel valued and included enough to come back. 
• Do ask listeners to rate, review and subscribe. Tell them exactly where and how to do it, and share your best ones. We’ve written a full guide on how to get more podcast reviews – check it out for our 3-step formula!
• Do include the link to your website or social media (if that’s where you’re more active). It’s important to get listeners embedded in the community straight away, so they feel engaged and valued!
• Do remind listeners of key takeaways from the episode.
• Don’t overwhelm your audience with links, places to visit or things to do. Minimise your calls-to-action and you have more chance of success.

4 Great Podcast Intro and Outro Examples

What does a good podcast intro and outro sound like? If you’re looking for ideas or inspiration, we’ve got you covered!

1. You’re Wrong About’s intro combines a cold open and distinctive music with a few short lines introducing the show name, tagline and the two hosts. There’s also a couple of early calls-to-action for their Patreon and social media channels, all done and dusted in under a minute.

2. My Brother, My Brother and Me’s intro combines a bespoke voiceover and title music, making the episode feel really strongly branded. In just under two minutes, we’ve met all three hosts and have a really good feel for the tone and structure of the episode. 

3. Still Processing’s outro rounds off each episode perfectly. The hosts thank listeners personally for contributing and there’s a strong call-to-action to follow along on social media. 

4. Ologies’s outro summarises the whole episode in host Alie Ward’s distinctive style. There’s a couple of strong calls-to-action to check out the show notes and the website, where you can access transcripts and bonus episodes. There’s also a strong focus on thanking the listener community for their input and contribution.

FAQs

1. Why are podcast intros and outros important?

Podcast intros and outros orientate listeners, hook them in and tell them everything they need to know – namely who you are, what the podcast is about and what you’ll be talking about today. They’re also the best place to share links and CTAs.

2. Does a podcast need intro music?

Whilst intro music is catchy and memorable, not all podcasts use it. It’s by no means mandatory, but adding a sting is a great way to up production values and tie sections together in the edit.

3. What is a podcast hook?

A podcast hook is something that grabs listeners and makes them want to listen – a key bit of news, an interesting guest, an attention grabbing question.

4. Can I use a similar intro and outro for all episodes?

Yes, and you should! Keeping to a similar format each time is great to build your relationship with your listeners, as it ensures they know what to expect.

5. How can you make intros and outros memorable?

Using a musical sting and a catchphrase is a great way to make your intros and outros memorable – when guests come on, you can ask them to say it too!

6. How can you measure the effectiveness of your intros and outros?

It’s good to split test – do your intro one way, and measure listeners, and then do a different style of intro and see how this affects your download numbers. You can always ask for listener feedback too!

Recap

Your podcast intro and outro is prime real estate for engaging, persuading and motivating your listeners. On top of high-quality, structured content, these two segments are extremely important for winning new subscribers and growing your audio brand. To recap:

• Your podcast intro is the first impression lots of listeners will have of your show. Make it short and to the point, and most importantly, tell your listener what’s in it for them.
  
• Your podcast outro is your chance to convert new listeners into subscribers, ask for reviews or drive traffic to your other channels.
  
• Both segments are equally important to growing your podcast audience. Make sure both are structured, well-produced and impactful so listeners come back for more.
  
• Creating a strong intro and outro is a marker that your podcast is high quality and worth listening to – a massive advantage in a world of 3+ million podcasts (and counting!)

If you still need more guidance, no sweat. Read on for a free download you’ll find useful…

Create Your Podcast Intro and Outro Script from Scratch with Our Free Crib Sheet

Building your podcast’s assets, like your trailer, intro and outro, and cover art, are all extremely easy once you’ve set strong foundations. After 1300+ episodes, we’ve learnt a thing or two about podcasting and how to build a successful show from scratch, even when you’re strapped for cash and time. 

We built our Podcast Launch Accelerator crib sheet to make it easy, accessible and fun to start your podcast. Instead of jumping straight into recording, we make sure you cover all the bases of designing your show so you know exactly who your podcast is for, why you’re doing it and what you want to achieve.

It’s simple, fully guided and completely free – so if you’ve got a great podcast idea and no idea where to start, start right here!