There really are no set protocols as to what your Intro and Outro should or should not be. You can pretty much do what you like, or think is best. However, they typically include music and voice over. A great Intro is the perfect start to each best acim podcast website episode. Surveys done recently revealed that 27.5% of listeners decide whether to listen to a podcast within the first 5 minutes. So, you need to hook your listeners right from the start. Consider podcast Intro’s and Outro’s to be the personality of your broadcast.
An Intro and Outro is not a requirement for your podcast publication; but it gives your broadcast a professional feel and look. It also conveys a level of expertise in the minds of your listeners. There are many podcasters, who just push the record button and start talking. You do not want to be like those podcasters. You want to give your podcast a fighting chance in a very crowded market! Therefore, you should have a great Intro and Outro to help you stand out from others in the crowd and achieve success.
1. Add some music to give your podcast a sense of pizzazz. As you may well know, music can have different moods. So, you can use music to set the mood for your podcast. This can be dark, light, playful or sad, etc. It is your job to match the music to the mood of your show. For example, if your show is a comedic in nature then you might choose music that is light and playful.
Where do you get this music? The answer is pretty simple and free for the most part. You can download royalty free music from various services on the Internet! Also, you can cut and splice the music to suit your creative ideas. You can even decide to use a jingle in the Intro to act as an attention grabber.
2. Settle on an appropriate podcast Intro and Outro length. Your Intro length should match the length of your podcast. For example, you don’t need to have a 60 second Intro for a podcast that is 15 minutes long. Instead, you might create an Intro that is 15 to 20 seconds long. Most podcasters have Intro’s that last between 15 to 60 seconds. Ultimately the choice is yours.
3. Give vital details. During your Podcast Intro you should introduce yourself, state your call to fame or desired outcome of the podcast. Also, state the name of your podcast, the date and the season (if you are doing a seasonal podcast). Bear in mind that you will have to decide whether you will use the same Intro for all podcast episodes or you will customize the Intro for each episode. This decision will determine what details you give in the Intro voice over. If it is customized, you might want to include the date and episode title or episode number.
4. Follow up your podcast Intro with a memorable podcast Outro. Have a call to action statement. This might be to subscribe to your podcast feed or the providing information for the listener to click a link in the show notes. You can even provide them with a sneak peek of what is to come in subsequent broadcasts. Most importantly remember to thank your listener for their time. Time is one of the most valuable commodities someone can give to you, so be sure you recognize that gift from your listeners. It is also helpful to end with something witty and exciting as this would make your listeners want to return for more!
The proper use of an Intro and Outro will lift the perception of your podcast professionalism to new levels. This one thing can set you apart from many other podcasters who do not want to take the time nor put in the effort to be professional. Many influencers in various genres and niches refuse to be interviewed by someone whom they deem as “unprofessional.” So add a great Intro and Outro to your podcast and raise your bar of professionalism in the eyes (and ears) of your listeners!
