What To Include In A Podcast Intro And Outro

Did you know that the average podcast loses between 20% and 35% of their listeners in the first 5 minutes?

Sadly, this means, your target audience is not sticking around past your opening, and therefore will never get to the ‘meat’ of your podcast AKA the content you have worked so hard to craft.  

That’s why it is SO crucial to build a solid opening in order to get your listeners to stay for the full episode, AND an equally engaging outro to keep them coming back for more! 

Here’s what you need to know to craft the perfect intro and outro for your podcasts, helping to boost trust with old and new listeners and truly stand out from the crowd! - 

But before we officially jump in, what exactly is a podcast intro and outro? And why are they important? 

Podcast Intro 

• Serves as the opening sequence of a podcast episode

• Usually lasts about 30 seconds to a minute - short and sweet

• Often includes an introduction to the podcast show, hosts and topics

Podcast Outro

• Serves as the closing or ending sequence of a podcast episode

• Usually lasts about the same length as the podcast intro

• Often includes an episode summary, call-to-actions, announcements, credits, etc.   

Both podcast intros and outros help to establish the identity and professional ‘feel’ of your show, and make for an enjoyable and consistent listening experience. 

In addition, both act as great tools to maintain audience engagement. A snappy and well-crafted podcast introduction can spark your audience’s interest and keep them engaged in the show. And, a thoughtful outro can leave a lasting impression and inspire listeners to check out the next episode. 

So, now that we have covered the basics, it’s time for the nitty gritty! Here are a few key elements that we believe are essential to include in your podcast intro and outro.

Music Or Sound Effects

Incorporating music/sound effects is a fun and easy way to express your personality as a host, and again, allows for a consistent listening experience. Our tip? Select music that mirrors the tone and theme of your show, and in regards to sound effects, don’t get too carried away - be sure to use them sparingly to add impact. 

You may want to invest in custom made music for more unique content, but if you’re following a strict budget, there are resources available where you can find and select free music.

Mention Of Your Show And Hosts  

Although it may be an obvious suggestion, be sure to mention the name of your podcast show and hosts in your intro. This will help to further establish your brand and reputation, as well as create a closeness with your listeners. 

It is also important to add in what kind of person this podcast is perfect for [example: “if you’re an entrepreneur, mom, business owner, women, etc.] and a breakdown of what is to come and the overall message you would like to instill in others. 

Tagline Or Motto

Everyone loves a catchy tagline, and incorporating one into your opening and outro is a fantastic way to help summarize the theme of your show and offer a little snippet of what listeners can expect! This is your chance to truly stand out and differentiate your podcast from others in the same topic area, so in other words, make it memorable 🙂

Call-To-Actions

Take advantage of your podcast outro because it is the perfect opportunity to encourage old and new listeners to subscribe, follow your show on social media or leave a review and rating. It is also a chance to express your gratitude to those who have been tuning in and sharing your episodes with others. 

But, also find what feels right and authentic to you. In other words, you can always keep the outro simple with just a thank you, and then write a note for yourself to mention the above points occasionally in the live recording of the actual episode, also depending on if you have a guest or not!

High-Quality Audio

Good audio quality is key for a positive podcasting listening experience, and definitely a must to include in your intro and outro! Be sure to use high-quality microphones, webcams and recording gear, and during your podcast editing process, don’t forget to rid your audio of any background noise or distractions. 

Insider’s Tip: If you’re wanting the perfect podcast intro and closing, but need a little extra help, there are plenty of online templates you can check out in regards to crafting both your intro script and outro script. We recommend - 

Further advice on writing your intro and outro script - If your previously written podcast description or show notes are 2-3 paragraphs, try to break that down into a sentence for each paragraph. Questions? Please reach out to us at The Social Snippet! 

What would YOU add to our list of what to include in a podcast intro and outro?