Are You Making These Podcast Intro Mistakes?

A prospective client came to me excited about her podcast intro. She’d handed us an existing intro she loved.... packed with calls to action and info... but I couldn't tell her to roll with it.

Why? Because she’d completely missed the real point of an intro.

If you’re struggling with your podcast intro, you’re not alone. Most podcasters overthink this part. They feel pressured to cram it with:

Show name

Host name

What the show is about

Target audience

Multiple calls to action (subscribe, rate, visit website)

The truth? This isn’t the place for all that. The best intros in the world don’t do that. They keep it short and simple.... an audio handshake that sets the table, nothing more.

So don't be like most podcasters who make these mistakes.

Mistake #1: Too Much Info, Too Long

Intro’s job isn’t to sell or convince.... it’s to quickly say, “Hey, here’s who I am, here’s the show.” You don’t want listeners tuning out before you even start because your intro feels like a sales pitch marathon.

Look at the biggest podcasts you love. Their intros vary... some five seconds, some 20... but none a minute and a half. Why? Because listeners today don’t have patience. There’s too much choice for them to give you their attention if you waste it upfront.

Mistake #2: Repeating Your Intro in the Episode

Many podcasters fall into the “set it and forget it” trap. They record the intro once, dropping it in, and then… repeating the same intro again, word for word, inside the episode. That just sounds sloppy and makes you look unprofessional.

Your intro is enough. Jump into your content after it.

Mistake #3: Forgetting Intros Are Heard on Every Episode

Remember, your loyal audience hears that intro every time. If it’s too long or too salesy, they’ll get annoyed. They don’t have a “skip intro” button like Netflix shows on their favorite podcast player.

Keep intros lean and respectful of your audience’s time. Bonus points for intros that let your show’s identity shine without overselling.

So what is a great intro?

Here’s a minimalist example from the Story Trust Media podcast: “This is the Story Trust Media podcast.”

Simple, clean, effective.

If you want something a little richer, you can add a line or two describing your mission... short and sweet: “This is the Story Trust Media podcast, where we help you tell your story to build trust.”

The takeaway?

Trim the fat. Your intro should hook, not sell. Cut out every unnecessary call to action and save those for your outro, where they belong. Treat your intro like your first handshake.... firm, confident, and clear. It's not time for a sales pitch or a full bio.