With over 4 million podcasts globally, you’ve got to cover all your bases to set your show apart. First impressions matter, and that’s true for a podcast intro as well.

But how do you make your introduction pop?

We’ll share how to write a killer introduction script and give you examples of podcasts that do their intros so well.

What is a Podcast Intro?

A podcast introduction gives listeners a sneak peek of what to expect from your podcast. It tells the audience:

• What the show is about
• Who you and your co-hosts and guests are
• Why they should stay tuned in

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Podcast Intro Examples to Get Inspired

Need the inspiration to craft your intro for a podcast?

Here are our two favorite podcast examples to get your ideas flowing:

1. Joe Rogan Experience (JRE)

As one of the most listened-to podcasts, the JRE show doesn’t tick the checkmarks for typical intros for podcasts.

Instead, JRE keeps it simple with the following:

• An introduction with four lines 
• A drumbeat music track that tells the tone of his podcast to be casual
• His famous slogan that acts as a hook

2. Diary of a CEO (DOC)

Next is another top podcast—the Diary of a CEO. So, how does the DOC start its show?

Here’s what you’ll find:

• The intro starts with a trailer that cleverly hooks listeners into the conversation while introducing the guests’ credentials.
• Then, it moves to the CTA, which encourages the listeners to subscribe to the show.
• After that, it moves to the theme tune of the show.
• Next comes the show introduction.

The DOC podcast intro is an excellent example of how to pique your listeners’ curiosity and keep them engaged in the whole conversation.

How Important is a Good Podcast Intro?

Every top podcast starts with a great intro.

This is where you express your show’s personality, give viewers a taste of what to expect, and connect with your audience. Most importantly, a great intro will get your show off to a great start and make your podcast feel polished.

An intro is the difference between listeners who stay throughout the show and those who click away. So, it’s important to set up the tone in the introduction to keep the momentum going.

Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, so make the first one count.

Find out more about what goes into catchy intros in the following section.

Elements to Include in a Podcast Intro

While there are no strict rules on what to include in your podcast opening, here are some 6 common elements:

1. Podcast name: Drop your show’s name so listeners know what they’re listening to.
2. Host(s) names: Introduce yourself and your co-hosts quickly. If you’re podcasting solo, tell the listeners a background story about yourself.
3. Guests information: If you are interviewing guests, you must introduce them.
4. Episode title and number: Some podcasts mention the episode title and number at the beginning of their show. These two help listeners understand the episode they are in within the series.
5. Tagline: A tagline (or a slogan) is a short, memorable, and catchy phrase that sticks in listeners’ minds and communicates your podcast’s mission.
6. Podcast intro music: On-brand intro music or sound effects become your podcast’s unique signifier. They set the mood and immerse the listeners in your show.

Stick around to learn how to tie these elements to create a podcast intro.

Steps to Write a Podcast Introduction Script

You need a well-written script to make the best possible impression in your intro.

 Follow these 5 steps to write a great script:

Step 1: Consider Your Audience

The first step to writing your podcast script is ensuring your intro resonates with your audience. 

So, factor in the:

• Demographics — age, gender, location, and occupation
• Interests, tastes, lifestyle, and listening behavior
• Specific needs and challenges your audience faces

With this information, you can make the intro relevant and engaging for your listeners.

Step 2: Introduce Your Podcast

The next step is introducing your podcast and establishing your brand identity. This part of your intro will likely stay the same across all episodes.

Here you should:

• Briefly state what your podcast is about
• Introduce yourself and your co-host(s) while briefly explaining your passion for the subject
• Incorporate your podcast tone and personality

Step 3: Welcome Your Guests

If you’re holding interviews, you want to ensure your guests’ names and credentials are accurate, so write out their details. 

To make your guests’ information memorable:

• Provide a brief backstory to help your listeners visualize the person
• State their profession, expertise, and experience
• Don’t just list their full bio. Instead, keep the guest’s intro short and to the point.

Step 4: Keep Your Script Short and Conversational

Don’t go overboard with your script length.

Keep it simple and concise, aiming for a 15-to 30-second intro. Longer scripts will result in longer intros that will likely bore your listeners.

Also, avoid complex words or jargon. Instead, use direct language with active sentences that convey the meaning of words.

Step 5: Edit, Refine, and Practice Your Script

Before you hit record, edit your script thoroughly. Look for errors, filler words, and awkward phrases.

Besides, read your script aloud to remove unnecessary words. Record your podcast intro and listen to how it sounds.

Once done, you can use the same intro script but add a few tweaks, depending on the podcast episode.

How to Introduce a Podcast

Now that you have your script as a blueprint, the next step is to introduce your show.

Below, we’ll explain in detail what you should do.

1. Share a Catchy Hooker or Teaser

Here, you should give your listeners a glimpse of what your episode is about.

Remember that:

• You can tease an upcoming interview
• You can give the listeners a clip of the guest’s interesting quote or inspirational message
• Don’t give away too much of your podcast content.

2. Incorporate Compelling CTAs

The intro is a great place to encourage your listeners to take action, whether it’s to subscribe to your podcast, follow you on your social media, or leave a comment.

Great call-to-actions (CTAs) in your podcast intro should:

• Not distract from the rest of the content
• An added extra but not the main feature of the intro
• Resonates with the listeners
• Aim for one CTA at the introduction and two at the maximum.

3. Use a Catchy Tagline

A tagline can amp up your introduction, making it easy for listeners to remember your podcast. So, you’ve got to pick it carefully.

Some of the best practices for your tagline are:

• Keep it short (a single line), snappy, and memorable
• It should cleverly summarize your show quickly
• Make it unique to your show by communicating your unique selling point

4. Set the Tone With Music and Sound Effects

Great theme music or jiggles can help you polish your podcast. Want great podcast intro music?

Remember these tips:

• Choose music tracks that fit your podcast’s vibe and personality
• Pick catchy and memorable music that evokes emotions, whether happy or dramatic
• Opt for royalty-free or paid tracks to avoid legal battles

5. Add Any Disclaimers

While optional, including a disclaimer(s) is a great idea. You can warn your listeners that a podcast doesn’t count as medical or legal advice. 

You can also alert them you’ll be discussing a mature subject.

6. Hire a Voice Actor

If you want a professional voiceover for your intro, choose a voice actor to draw in listeners and help your introduction stand out.

A few tips to keep in mind include:

• Choose a voice that aligns with your show and target listeners.
• The delivery should be exciting and bold while making sure to not overdo it.

Use Hello Audio for Private Podcasting

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• Intuitive and user-friendly platform: Has a simple drag-and-drop feature to help you upload your existing files easily. It also automatically converts them into private podcasts in minutes.
• Secure access: Allows you to create private RSS feeds for your listeners with secure access controls.
• Familiar listening experience: Listeners can enjoy private podcasts in their preferred listening apps, such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Overcast, and more.
• Monetize your content: Offers monetization options like allowing you to create exclusive content and charge a subscription fee for access to your private audio feeds.
• Support integrations: Integrates with third-party tools like Zapier and Convertkit.
• Comprehensive stats: Lets you know exactly how each episode is performing to understand your listeners better.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Check out our FAQ section below to get answers to common questions about podcast introductions.

How Long Should a Podcast Intro Be?

The short answer is — it depends.

A shorter podcast show would require a shorter intro, while a longer episode might allow a more extended intro.

Besides, when starting a new show, you should keep your intros concise—between 15 and 30 seconds. If they extend more than a minute, your listeners will get bored and skip ahead.

However, established shows with a huge following can get away with longer intros as their listeners are glued to the shows no matter what.

What is Considered Good Music for a Podcast Intro?

The right music or sound effects for your intro should:

• Fit into your podcast’s tone and personality
• Not be loud and overpowering, distracting the listeners from your content
• Should contain memorable jingles rather than the slow build-up at the start of the track.

How Can I Make My Podcast Intro Engaging?

Here are some ways to make your intro engaging:

• Create an exciting hook or a teaser
• Keep the introduction light and conversational
• Add personality to your intro using music
• Keep it short, 30 seconds to the maximum

Conclusion

We’ve explained the steps (and elements) involved in creating good podcast intros. Once you’ve settled on your intro, it’s time to launch and manage your podcast.

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