What Belongs in a Podcast Intro and Outro? (And What You Can Totally Skip)

Your podcast intro and outro are like your audio handshake and mic drop.

They set the tone, build your brand, and help listeners know exactly what to expect... or what to do next.

But in reality? way too many pod intros sound like a corporate voicemail, and outros get slapped together like a rushed email.

So here’s what you actually need to include:

What to Include in Your Podcast Intro:

1. Your Name + Podcast Name

Sounds obvious, but a lot of people forget to mention who they are. New listeners might be tuning in for the first time, so let them know who's behind the mic.

2. What the Show Is About (Briefly)

One to two sentences max. This is your elevator pitch. Think: “This is [Podcast Name], where we dive into [what the show offers] for [your target audience].” Remember to position your podcast as a guide for your audience, solving a problem or a curiosity they have. Even as the "star" of the show, you are not the hero.

3. What Listeners Will Get from This Episode

Set up the episode like a movie trailer. Give them a reason to stick around. “In today’s episode, we’re breaking down how to record clean audio from a less-than-ideal room.”

4. Fun Branding

Maybe it's a slogan or tagline. Maybe it's just injecting a bit of your brand or personality in there. Your intro should give the audience a preview of what to expect from the episode. It should be the same tone (formal, conversational, somewhere in between) as the episode body's conversation.

What to Include in Your Outro:

1. Clear CTA (Call to Action)

What should they do next? Subscribe, check out your website, join a private podcast, grab a freebie, follow on socials.... just pick one. Keep it simple and direct.

2. Thank You or Sign-Off

Doesn’t have to be cheesy. A simple “Thanks for hanging out with me today” or “Catch you next week” keeps it human and relatable.

3. Optional: Same Short Music Bed as Intro (or a Fade-Out Theme)

This ties the episode together and gives it a polished feel. Just don’t make it feel like a radio commercial.

What You Can Skip:

Overlong Intros That List Every Guest’s Accomplishment

You’ll lose people in the first 30 seconds. Save the deep dive for the actual interview.

Ten Different CTAs

Don’t ask them to follow you on every platform, download five PDFs, and leave a review all at once. It’s too much. Pick one and rotate week to week, if you have more.

Jargon-Filled Taglines

If your slogan sounds like it belongs in a business card factory, cut it. Be conversational, not corporate.

So What?

Your intro and outro don’t need to be fancy.... they just need to be clear, concise, and aligned with your vibe. Nail that, and you’ll come across as polished, professional, and worth sticking with.

If you're looking to outsource your production, or you have questions or want feedback, feel free to reach out: jon@jonathangoehring.com.