Are you a new podcaster? Are you wondering what to include in your intro and outro? If so, this episode breaks it all down for you! I’m sharing what you should include in your intro and outro and the two different types of intros and outros. I also provide some tips on choosing your podcast music and where you can purchase yours. So, without further ado, read on!
Key takeaways from this episode:
- The goal of your podcast intro and outro and what you should consider when creating them
- The difference between a formal podcast intro/outro and an episode intro/outro
- Where you can purchase royalty-free music for your podcast intro and outro
TUNE IN TO THE EPISODE
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So let’s set the scene. A new listener is drawn to listen to your podcast after reading your podcast description or cover art catches their eye. They hit play and your intro will be the first thing they hear, so it's important that your intro grabs attention and sets up what lies ahead for them in your show.
What’s the goal of your podcast intro?
It should answer your listeners’ main question of ‘why should I listen to this podcast’. The intention is to get your listeners excited and encourage them to tune in.
What should you include in your podcast intro?
- Who is your show for?
- What is the show is about?
- What will your listeners take away from the show
- Your name and the name of the podcast and tagline (if applicable)
Avoid being too specific about dates and times. For example - ‘episodes go live every Thursday at 6pm’ is not what I would advise you to say because life happens! It's also possible that some people might want the information in your show a few years down the line as well - so make sure it is evergreen.
According to The Podcast Host, only 27.5% of listeners give a new podcast five minutes to hook them. That's not a lot of time right? That’s why those first few minutes of your podcast episode are so important.
Should you have music for your podcast?
If you're a regular podcast listener, then it's likely that many of your favourite shows use music as part of their intro and outro. This common practice can be tough to nail down but there are some things every show should consider when choosing tunes for these segments. The right music will help set the tone or mood of your show. Make your podcast introduction and outro stand out with music that captures people's attention, while also being memorable enough so they won't forget what came next in the episode!
For example, this is a podcast about podcasting. And for me, podcasting is fun. So when I was looking for my music, I typed in words like upbeat, inspirational and motivational, I wanted music that would put my listeners in a good mood, maybe even bop their head along to the beat (I hope you would agree that I got it right with the music). That's what I want people to feel about podcasting. That it's fun and it allows you to show off your personality, to be yourself. I also wanted music that aligned with my brand because my business is all about having fun as well. So when choosing your music think carefully about how you want your listeners to feel and the best fit with your podcast.
Where can you purchase music for your podcast intro and outro?
Royalty-free music is the way to go! There are a few places you can purchase this for an affordable price. I recommend AudioJungle, as it's one that myself and my clients use often in their trailers/intros & outros because of its versatility - usually, there will be different lengths available which comes in handy when mixing with other clips together or making your own shorter version if needed. Another option is Pond5.
TOP TIP: When choosing your music, look carefully at the different licences and choose the one that’s best suited for your needs. Copyright law is a very serious thing!
The ideal length of your intro should be around 30 seconds, 60 seconds tops. You have the choice to play music continuously whilst you’re speaking or top and tail only. This means that the music will play for a few seconds before fading into your intro and then picks up again at the end. It’s totally up to you what your preference is for your show.
If you're thinking about starting a podcast but don't know where to start, then tune into episode three to learn more about the four steps to launching a podcast and where mixing your podcast intro and outro falls in the process.
Should you hire a voiceover artist for your podcast intro and outro?
This is totally up to you! I do recommend however that if your show is an extension of your business, you should read the intro yourself. It will be the first time your listeners hear your voice and a great opportunity for them to connect with you. It is my personal opinion that a voiceover probably work well for people who are already quite well known and need no introduction. Like celebrities, for example. But this is just my opinion. Consider what works best for you and your show and take it from there.
Now, let’s talk about podcast outros.
What should you include in your podcast outro?
Your podcast outro is placed after the episode and serves the primary purpose of thanking your listeners for taking the time to listen and to share your main call to action. A good length would be 15-30 seconds long, but this depends on the type of content you are including in each episode.
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- A thank you to your listeners for tuning in to the show
- Stick to one or two calls to action max. More than that and you’ll confuse your listeners and they won’t take any action at all. Some examples include subscribing to the show in their favourite podcast app, leaving a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or inviting them to join your free Facebook group for support and accountability.
- Be extremely clear where you want them to go. Spell out URLs and confirm that the links will also be in the show notes.
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The difference between formal intro and outros and episode intro and outros.
And one last quick note...episode intros and outros and formal intro and outros are very different.
Formal intros and outros are recorded once and are added at the beginning and end of every episode. They do not change.
Episode intros and outros highlight key takeaways from the episode and are recorded before or after the recording takes place. You’ll find that most podcast hosts do this specifically for guest interviews.
This would look like: formal intro 👉🏽 episode intro 👉🏽 episode 👉🏽 episode outro 👉🏽 formal outro.
Or sometimes the formal intro and episode intro are swapped around, using the episode intro as a way to hook the listener.
Conclusion
So, what do you need to consider when creating your intro and outro? The first thing to think about is the overall tone of your podcast. Are you funny, serious, or educational? Your intro and outro should match the tone of your show. You also want to make sure that they are both relevant to your audience. What do you want them to takeaway from each episode? Finally, make sure that you select music that is royalty-free so that you don’t have to worry about any legal issues down the road. Hopefully, this article has helped give you a better understanding of intro and outros for your podcast. Have fun with it and most importantly, be yourself!
Resources mentioned in this episode
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