How you open your podcast episodes could be turning people away from your podcast. I share eleven potential elements of an opening/intro, examples, and my suggestions for an effective podcast opening.
Or you can get a professionally created podcast intro produced for you, and consider these points when you hire someone.
Hi, Daniel
My podcast listening has increased considerably while in the car commuting to the office and on walks. In most situations, I cannot look at the display on the player in the car on iPod in my pocket. I would like to hear an intro that is the same format as the podcast episode and title described in TAP021. It should be in the first 10-15 seconds of the recording, so I can identify it and move to the next episode if I heard it already.
Yes, I'm asking for something I didn't do with my recent podcasts but now that I'm listening more, hearing the podcast title, episode number and short synopsis or title is becoming more important.
Cheers,
Bob
What is a “podcast opening” (intro)?
Although most people will call them “intros,” I think the best name is “podcast opening.” Your opening is how your start your podcast. Everything the listener hears from when they press Play to when you start sharing your content.
11 potential elements of a podcast opening
- Podcast name—how else will people know what podcast they're listening to?
- Episode number—gives chronology and easy redirecting to shownotes, if you make your shownotes easy to get to.
- Episode title—if your title explains the content of your episode, which I recommend (unless you're doing comedy), then include it in your recording.
- Music or sound effects—use something that other podcasters aren't using (so avoid GarageBand's music). This helps brand your show. Listen to How to Insert Background Music or Sound Effects in Audacity to help mixing your intro.
- Hosts' names—listeners should know who you are. I suggest introducing yourself as “I am ___” rather than “My name is ___.”
- Podcast tagline/explanation—don't assume every listener knows what your podcast is all about. Explain the purpose of the podcast or its tagline, which should be a shortened version of your purpose.
- Summary/introduction—tell your audience what you're going to talk about, if appropriate.
- Network ID—if you're a member of a network, you are probably required to state this in some way.
- Recorded date—I suggest mentioning the recorded date only if your content is time-sensitive or current-events related (like a news podcast).
- Sponsors—the people who help you pay the bills, or your own product or service.
- Disclaimer—if your content is for a mature audience, you want to share a spoiler-free or spoiler-filled review of a movie, or other reasons mandate putting a disclaimer as early as possible.
Of these eleven potential elements, I would say that only the first six or seven should be in your opening for every episode.
Examples
In the following examples, listen for how each host uses some of the above eleven elements.
Kimberly shared three of her favorite podcasting opening.
- Knitmore Girls: Music, podcast name, episode number, sponsors, summary, content
- Marketing over Coffee: Music, podcast name, hosts' names, welcome, sponsors, content
- Ready, Set, Knit: Music, podcast name, host's name, summary, content
Valente shared three of his favorite podcast openings.
- Smart Passive Income: Podcast name, episode number, music, prerecorded explanation, explanation, content
- Trafcom [no longer online]: Episode title, music, podcast name, date, episode number, host's name, content
- Going Linux: Podcast name, episode number, episode title, music, host's ame, explanation, summary, content
Sean requested that I consider his podcast.
- I Am Spirituality (video): Episode title, summary, music, explanation, content
Drew suggested a podcast I listen to already.
- Comedy4Cast: Podcast name, episode number, episode title, prerecorded introduction, sponsors, content
Four more examples that I pulled.
- Podcast Answer Man: Podcast name, episode number, network ID, music, welcome, host's name, explanation, summary, content
- The Podcasters Studio: Music, title summary, welcome, host's name, summary, content
- Are You Just Watching?™: Disclaimer, network ID (with podcast name), sponsor, music, podcast name, episode number, episode title, hosts' names, explanation, content
- This Week in Tech: Network ID, sponsors (2), music, podcast name, episode number, episode title, date, sponsors (3), hosts' names and introductions, content
General tips for a great podcast opening/intro
- Imagine someone starts listening to your podcast on their way to the grocery store
- Be unique as early as possible
- Summarize what the episode contains, tell them what you're going to tell them (sometimes)
- Identify yourself and cohosts
- Explain your purpose for new listeners
- Try to keep your opening to 30–60 seconds before your content
- Think about modern movies: very few credits in the opening, straight into the action, then all of the credits at the end.
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Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship and may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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Excellent show! I really learned a lot from this episode, and I'm very glad you played the example clips. I have 2 shows, and I'm about to start a 3rd, so hearing different intros back-to-back has really given me food for thought on how to streamline!
Thanks! I'm actually thinking of doing a second part, explaining some different ways of mixing the inro. Like when to start the music, when to say what, etc. This episode ended up longer than I intended, but I'm glad you benefited from it!
Thank you for making your website mobile-friendly!
[…] I also introduce a few new elements to the show’s introduction including an episode number and a tag-line. Learn how you can improve on your show intro and opening from a great post by Daniel over at The Audacity to Podcast. […]
Daniel, excellent show. A suggestion for another post would be how to wrap up your show including your outtro. For an example of a good intro and outro (plus a shameless plug for my show) check out http://campgroundpirateradio.com
My intro hits the top 6-7 points that you list but then I wrap up my show trying to hit on a couple of points:
Thank your audience for listening
Where you can be found (Facebook / Twitter)
If they have questions, email address
Some last minute thank you's
A kind send-off to my audience (in my case, a quote from Hunter S. Thompson)
The outro piece itself (I actually play another piece of music between the wrap and the outro)
I noticed you hit those points as well in your outro!
Just a thought. 🙂
Thanks! Outros and in-episode segues will be entire episodes to themselves. I've heard good outros and bad. I definitely plan to cover both of these.
What are the BEST type of questions to ask in a formal interview?
I think it’s funny that you’re doing a podcast on “how to create an effective podcast intro” yet your own podcast intro is horrible. You waste people’s time by forcing them to sit through some corny intro music. PLEASE tell me what the point of that is. How does that make your intro more effective?
Hi, Steven! I appreciate your criticism.
I create a very descriptive title that you hear before the 10-second mark.
In my later episodes, I’ve also focused on pushing any announcements or administrative information to the end of the episode.
For the record I think the music helps brand the show. It’s not too long either. I never have to hit the skip button.
Daniel, I really appreciate your helpful information with this podcast. I’m hoping to start podcasting soon, so I’ll be hanging around your site for more! Blessings!
You’re welcome, Caleb! What will your podcast be about?
Great information. Thanks!
Thanks for the heads up. This is helpful!
[…] to The Audacity Podcast for the ideas on how to create an […]
[…] During this short amount of time, you need to include the following, according to Daniel Lewis from The Audacity to Podcast. […]
[…] During this short amount of time, you need to include the following, according to Daniel Lewis from The Audacity to Podcast. […]
[…] During this short amount of time, you need to include the following, according to Daniel Lewis from The Audacity to Podcast. […]
Thanks for this excellent advice. I am launching my podcast soon from tunein-toneup.com this week and will take heed of your advice. I think I followed most of it naturally, but it did make me consider adding an outro. Thanks again.
[…] episode 30 of The Audacity To Podcast explains this in more detail. […]
Super helpful! Thanks!
I always love your Podcast advice Daniel – thank you for keeping our standards high and our content meaningful for our listeners. ♥
Hello, your podcasts “channel” is absolutely amazing. But where did you get your intro music from? Like, what website or apps,… And the name of that file music that you used? Thanks for responding me! Thanks a lot!
Thanks! I got my music from the old Podsafe Music Network, which isn’t available anymore. But then I contacted the artist to secure a license directly with him.
Thank you Daniel, we bear the same name ???? I’ve been experiencing some difficulties putting my show together but now it’s such a big relief. Please I didn’t get the part of ur I’d where you referred us to on ur other social account and also ur website account. Kindly drop details.
Can you explain more what it is you needed?
Any suggestions on how this opening might be different if the podcast will be an interview? Also, any suggestions for an opening of the inaugural podcast. Thank you for your great episode
Make your openings as short as possible, whether that’s for your first episode or for any others.
If you feel you need to explain your podcast, then consider releasing a separate trailer episode.
What if your first episode is kinda deep….personalble and real, but vulnerable and passionate?
It feels off to have a high powered chippy song as intro,
BUT, I want it to be attractive and engaging from the get go.
Your first episode should always be full of value and less of an introduction. But it’s totally okay to break form for a special episode.
[…] Audacity to Podcast” has a detailed guide on podcast intros which talks about what to include and what not, in your […]
Thanks, this was extremely helpful.