Your podcast intro script is the first thing new listeners hear from you, so it’s important to make a great first impression.
Equally important is your podcast outro, or the short segment you play at the end to wrap up your episode.
So how do you craft the right intro and outro for your podcast? Let’s take a closer look at each section to explain what you should include, what to leave out, and where to find music to set the tone.
Key elements of a podcast intro script
When new listeners find your podcast, they’re wondering, “Is this for me?” So the goal of your podcast intro is to answer that question and get them excited to keep listening.
Key info typically includes:
- The name of your podcast
- The name of the host(s)
- The short pitch for the podcast
Different intros also have different vibes. For example, the intro for a comedy podcast will sound and feel different from a podcast focused on politics or current events.
How long should your podcast intro script be?
You want to get the listener into the content section of your podcast as quickly as possible. That means your intro should run about 10-15 seconds, tops.
To be clear, you might have an episode-specific intro which might include more info about what to expect in any given episode. But the universal podcast intro script should be short and sweet.
Must have elements of a podcast intro script
Your name and podcast title
The most important element to include in your podcast intro is the title of your podcast along with the name of the host. From a branding perspective, this gives the listener the baseline information they’ll need to understand your program.
Theme music
Most podcasts choose to include theme music in their podcast intro. You can either use an original theme or download royalty-free music only.
But no matter where you choose to find music, make sure you stay away from copyrighted music. Instead, you’ll want to pick royalty-free music from either a free or paid source.
A few of my favorite places to find podcast-friendly music include:
📌 For a full list, see our 40+ websites to find royalty-free music for podcasts (free and paid).
Optional elements for your podcast intro script
The name of your episode guest/topic
To give your user a bit of context, you may want to also have a part of the intro dedicated to that specific episode’s content. If you do this, you’d need to record a new intro each time you record a podcast episode.
Instead, what many podcasters do is keep the same intro, but then immediately introduce the episode right after their intro plays.
Your podcast tagline
If your podcast has a tagline, it can often make sense to include it in your intro. It will help tell listeners what your podcast is about and who you’re for. Plus, I’ll bet it’s catchy and memorable!
An upcoming quote from your episode (pro move)
Before your theme music plays, consider adding a hook to the beginning of your episode. A popular strategy is to play a guest quote from later in the episode to give people a sense of what’s to come.
So to spell this out, you’d play it in this order: Guest audio clip –> your standard podcast welcome intro –> your full episode.
What to leave out of your podcast intro script
Multiple clips of your episode audio
High-budget podcasts often include multiple clips of the upcoming episode in the intro section (i.e. in the hook). That said, it can be time-consuming, so for many podcast hosts, I don’t think it’s worth the effort. Stick with one, at max.
A long or overly complicated theme song
It’s a great idea to include theme music, but you don’t want it to last too long.
To watch our full tutorial on how to script and edit a professional podcast intro for your show, check out this video from the Wit & Wire YouTube channel:
Should I hire voiceover talent to read the podcast intro script?
This is a controversial topic, and there’s no one right answer.
In the past, one of the podcasts I hosted had a separate voiceover artist read the intro. And since that podcast represented a brand (Teachable), the strategy made sense.
But for most independent hosts, I think it’s best when you read the intro. After all, people are tuning in to get to know YOU, so I think it makes sense to say hi and introduce yourself in the voiceover.
That said, I know people might still be interested in hiring voiceover talent for a more “professional” feel. You can find relatively inexpensive options for voiceover talent on websites like Fiverr, or you can just ask a friend or a fellow podcast host.
Elements of a great podcast outro
Your call-to-action (CTA)
Your outro should include crucial information to end your episode. Listeners will remember the last thing they hear, so you’ll want to leave them with a CTA (call to action) before they go.
Your call-to-action might vary per episode, or based on your current goals. A few examples include asking listeners to…
- Subscribe to your podcast
- Subscribe to your email list
- Leave a review
- Follow you on Instagram (PS say hi @witandwire)
- Book a free strategy call
I’d focus on just one main CTA per episode, but try rotating your CTAs for different episodes so you don’t overwhelm listeners with a laundry list of things to do. (No one will remember or care to do 12 different things.)
Instead, focus on one primary CTA in your outro, then pick another option for the next episode.
Your signoff & info
Before you go, you can say something casual, like, “See you next time!” But I recommend leading into that signoff by including your name and the podcast name one more time.
I know this will feel redundant. But if this is someone’s first episode from you, chances are they might not remember your name or your podcast name from the intro.
Overall, your intro and outro should serve as thematic bookends that give your listeners a distinctive feel of your show while also giving them the information they need to understand and participate.
And remember: every single episode you release will be someone’s first episode. So it’s always best to assume that you’ll need to share the key info in every intro and every outro.
*Imaginary theme music fades out to close this blog post.*
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Melissa Guller is the founder of Wit & Wire, where we help everyday experts become profitable course creators. She previously worked full-time for Ramit Sethi, Teachable, and General Assembly. Today, she shares simplified tech tutorials and modern marketing strategies through our blog, YouTube, and Wit & Wire Weekly newsletter
