How To Write A Podcast Intro To Sound Like A Pro 2023

Are you eager to launch a podcast that mesmerizes and retains a dedicated audience? If so, you understand the importance of a great podcast intro. Those first few moments can make or break your listeners’ interest in your show.

In this blog post, we’ll discover the art of creating a fascinating podcast intro script that hooks listeners and sets the stage for an engaging listening experience.

A podcast introduction serves as a virtual handshake, inviting your audience into your world. It’s the moment when you establish a connection and communicate the essence of your show. However, capturing your listeners’ attention requires finesse and a well-crafted approach.

By incorporating a powerful hook, you can immediately attract your listener’s attention. Think of it as the bait that captures their curiosity and compels them to continue listening to your podcast. By leveraging the right words, music, and tone, you can create an irresistible invitation for your podcast listeners to embark on a journey with you.

Prepare to explore the depths of crafting a captivating opening that leaves a lasting impression. Let’s figure out the secrets of engaging your audience during those crucial initial moments.

Some Parts Of Your Podcast

Podcast Intro

A podcast intro is the opening segment of a podcast episode that serves as an introduction to the show. The podcast intro aims to engage and hook listeners, set the tone for the rest of the episode, and establish a connection with the audience.

It typically includes elements such as intro music, voiceover, episode topic, episode title, host and guest name, and a brief overview of the podcast’s purpose

Episode Teaser

An episode teaser is a short preview or promotional segment that is released prior to the full episode of a podcast. It provides a glimpse into the upcoming episode’s content, giving listeners a preview of what they can expect.

Podcast Outro

A podcast outro, also known as an “end segment” or “closing segment,” is the concluding part of a podcast episode. It is typically the last section of the episode and serves several purposes.

Not everyone knows how to end a podcast. In this part, hosts often express gratitude to their guests, sponsors, or loyal listeners for their support and contributions.

Together, these three segments—the intro, episode teaser, and outro—work harmoniously to create a seamless and engaging flow within a podcast episode. They capture the listeners’ attention, keep them interested throughout the main content, and leave a lasting impression as the episode comes to a close.

Show notes

Podcast show notes typically include key points, topics discussed, and any important takeaways from the episode. They often provide additional context, links, and resources mentioned during the conversation to enhance the listener’s experience. Show notes can also include timestamps, allowing listeners to easily navigate to specific sections or segments of the episode.

Why A Good Podcast Intro Is Important?

Although this part just has a few sentences, it plays a vital role in a successful podcast. When a listener stumbles upon your podcast, whether through a recommendation or by chance, it’s crucial to make a good impression right from the start.

Capturing Attention

It is the first and foremost role of podcast intro. It serves as the first impression of your podcast. It’s your chance to grab the listener’s attention and pique their interest right from the start. A well-crafted intro can hook the audience and make them want to stay and continue listening further.

Setting the Tone

The intro sets the tone and establishes the overall mood or atmosphere of your podcast. It gives listeners a glimpse of what to expect and creates anticipation for the following content.

Building Familiarity

A consistent and well-crafted intro creates familiarity for your audience. When your regular listeners hear the familiar intro music or the host’s voice, it can create a sense of connection and build loyalty over time.

Branding and Identity

Besides podcast logos, the intro script and music also contribute to your brand identity and recognition. A podcast intro helps establish your podcast’s brand and identity. It allows you to showcase your unique style, show personality, and values. Consistency in your intro can help listeners recognize and remember your podcast.

Write A Good Podcast Intro- What To Include

Hook

The hook sets the tone for your podcast and creates a strong first impression. It should resonate with your target audience, pique their curiosity, and make them eager to explore what your podcast has to offer. Here are some effective hooks that you can use in your intro:

• Provocative Question: Pose a thought-provoking question that intrigues listeners and sparks their curiosity.
• Surprising Fact or Statistic: Share a surprising fact or statistic related to your podcast’s subject matter.
• Storytelling: The use of vivid language and the promise of exciting adventures piques their curiosity and invites them to explore your podcast.

Example: “Have you ever wondered what separates high achievers from the rest? In the Success Secrets podcast, we unravel the strategies and mindsets that propel individuals to greatness.”

Introduction

• Welcome listeners
• Host introduction: Host name, position…
• Show name

Example: “Welcome to Smarter Podcasting, where I help you build your podcast and connect with your community. I’m Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy, Founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcast”

State Episode Purpose and Theme

Briefly explain the purpose, a quick summary of the specific episode’s content, creating anticipation and giving listeners a reason to listen to the entire episode.

Example: “In today’s episode, we are going to talk about the importance of planning out your podcast content and how it helps your show to the next level”

Intro music

Podcast music plays a crucial role in setting the tone and atmosphere of your podcast. It helps to establish your podcast’s brand identity and create a memorable listening experience for your audience.

Listen to my Podcast show below and you’ll hear I use the same music for all of my podcast intros.

• It’s important to ensure that the music you use is properly licensed and that you have the necessary rights to use it in your podcast intros.
• Choose music that reflects the tone and theme of your podcast.
• Pay attention to the volume levels and transitions between your music and voiceover.

Call to action

Include a clear call to action at the end of your intro. Encourage listeners to subscribe, find the next episode, leave a review, or visit your website for more resources.

Example: “For additional resources, show notes, and exclusive content, visit our website at www.example.com. We can’t wait to have you join our community of passionate listeners. Now, let’s dive into today’s episode!”

Podcast intro examples

Listen to my podcast show and concentrate on the podcast intros in each episode:

Write A Good Podcast Intro- More Tips

By following these dos and don’ts, you can create a strong and effective podcast intro that can make your podcast stand out from others.

Dos

• Craft your own podcast intro script

Based on some sample scripts, write one for your own show. Write a concise and engaging script that effectively communicates the essence of your podcast. Include key information like the show’s name, episode number (if applicable), host/co-host information and a brief overview of what listeners can expect.

• Do use a consistent format

Establish a consistent format for your podcast intro. This helps create familiarity and allows your audience to recognize and associate it with your show.

• Just give a brief introduction

Aim to keep your podcast intro script between 30 to 60 seconds for a particular episode. The goal is to provide a teaser that leaves your listeners wanting more. By keeping it concise, you leave ample room for the actual meat of your podcast and avoid losing your audience’s interest.

• Do use a consistent format

Establish a consistent format for your podcast intro. This helps create familiarity and allows your audience to recognize and associate it with your show.

Don’ts

• Make it too long

Just be aware of how long should a podcast be. Avoid lengthy intros that can lose your audience’s interest. A concise and focused introduction is more effective in capturing attention and keeping listeners engaged.

• Overload with information

While it’s important to provide a teaser of what’s to come, avoid overwhelming your listeners with excessive details in the intro. Save the deeper dive and more comprehensive information for the main content of the episode.

• Be overly promotional

It’s acceptable to mention sponsors, upcoming events, or other relevant promotions in your podcast intro. However, be cautious not to turn your intro into an e-commerce sales show. Strike a balance between promoting your content and delivering value to your listeners. Your intro should primarily serve as a means to engage and captivate your audience.

• Neglect audio quality

Pay attention to the audio quality of your podcast intro. Use professional recording equipment to ensure clear and crisp sound. Take the time to edit out any background noise, distractions, or technical issues that can diminish the overall listening experience. A polished and well-produced intro enhances the professionalism of your podcast.

Write A Good Podcast Intro- More Resources

Where to find music

As I mentioned before, make sure you respect copyright laws and licensing requirements.

The best way to do that is to hire Seven Million Bikes Podcasts to create your own bespoke podcast music!

Our sound engineer Lewis Wright is an experienced music producer and has been producing the Seven Million Bikes podcast since the beginning and created the podcast music for many of our clients.

Lewis has worked with a range of clients in Vietnam including Uniqlo, Dutch Lady, Pinkfong, Badanamu and HTV3.

Finding free intro music for your podcast can also be done through various platforms that offer royalty-free music. Look for music that is explicitly labeled as “royalty-free.” This means that once you obtain the license, you can use the music without paying additional fees for each use.

YouTube Audio Library

YouTube provides a vast collection of royalty-free music that you can use in your podcast intros. You can access the YouTube Audio Library by visiting studio.youtube.com and navigating to the “Audio Library” section.

Free Music Archive (freemusicarchive.org)

Free Music Archive is a platform that offers a wide range of music tracks, including royalty-free options. You can explore their extensive library and filter the results by genre, mood, and even the type of attribution required.

Epidemic sound (epidemicsound.com)

Epidemic Sound is a popular platform that offers a vast library of high-quality music and sound effects for various creative projects, including podcasts.

Tools and platforms to help

Podcasting Guides and Blogs

Explore online resources dedicated to podcasting, such as podcasting guides and blogs. These platforms often provide comprehensive articles and tutorials on crafting engaging intros, sharing insights from experienced podcasters.

• “The Podcast Host” (thepodcasthost.com)
• Seven Million Bikes Podcasts

Scriptwriting Resources

Improve your scriptwriting skills by exploring resources such as books, online courses, or writing guides. Learn how to craft compelling narratives, use storytelling techniques, and create engaging hooks to captivate your listeners.

Podcast Editing Software

My recommendation: Descript

Utilize podcast editing software like Audacity, Adobe Audition, or GarageBand to fine-tune your podcast intro. These tools offer features like audio editing, mixing, and adding music or sound effects to enhance the quality of your intro.

Podcast intro template

1. Interview podcast

“Welcome to [Podcast Name], the show where we dive deep into conversations with inspiring individuals who are making a difference in their fields.

I’m your host, [Your Name], and each week, we bring you thought-provoking discussions that explore [specific topic or theme]. Get ready to gain valuable insights, be inspired, and discover new perspectives. In today’s episode, we have a special guest, [Guest Name], who is an expert in [Guest’s expertise]. We’ll be delving into [briefly mention the topic or focus of the episode]. So, without further ado, let’s jump right into it!”

2. Storytelling Podcast

“Welcome to [Podcast Name], where we transport you into captivating stories from different times, places, and perspectives. I’m [Your Name], your guide through these remarkable narratives. In each episode, we bring you gripping tales of [theme or genre], filled with suspense, intrigue, and unforgettable characters. In this episode, we have a thrilling story that will keep you on the edge of your seat as we delve into [briefly mention the central plot or premise]. So, sit back, relax, and let your imagination soar as we embark on this extraordinary journey together!”

How To Write A Good Intro – Summary

By now, you understand the importance of a good podcast intro. It’s the gateway to grabbing your audience’s attention, setting the tone for your show, and enticing new listeners to stay tuned. Remember, in those critical first few moments, you have the power to hook your audience and make a lasting impression.

As we wrap up, remember that practice makes perfect. Write your podcast intro script, practice it with passion, and refine it until it shines. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your unique style. And most importantly, have fun with it!

Podcast Editing Service – Simplifying Your Podcasting Journey

Unsure how to add your music AND intro to your podcast episode to sound perfect? Or you don’t have enough time to invest in? Don’t worry, you have our services here. With my Podcast Editing Service, we will send back to you a ready-to-publish podcast. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about your podcast intro or outro anymore.

Wave goodbye to those ‘er’ and ‘um’ moments, background noise, and low-quality audio. Our expert editors work their magic to transform your recordings into professional, engaging content. “Efficiency meets excellence – because your message shouldn’t wait” is our message. Within 48 hours, you will receive a noise-free with a high audio-quality podcast episode. Don’t wait, click now!