Last Updated: October 4, 2026 | By Sandeep Dev, Editor
What changed: fully rewritten with 15 scripts, before-and-after rewrites, breakdowns of how real shows open, a free scorecard and downloadable templates.
Podcast Intro Examples
Your podcast intro decides whether a new listener stays or leaves. The best podcast intro examples are short, clear and built around one promise: why this episode is worth the listener’s time.
This guide gives you 15 podcast intro examples with full scripts, grouped by show type. You also get before-and-after rewrites, notes on how real shows open, three fill-in templates, seven hook ideas, the ideal length and a 12-point scorecard to check your own intro. Pick a script, swap in your details and record.
Quick answer: A podcast intro is the opening part of an episode. It tells listeners who you are, what the show is about and why they should keep listening. Most strong intros run 15 to 45 seconds.
In this guide: hook vs. intro, what to include, 15 scripts, before-and-after rewrites, templates, hook ideas, how real shows open, length, placement, mistakes, a scorecard, a checklist and FAQs.
Podcast Intro vs. Podcast Hook: What’s the Difference?
People use these terms loosely, but they are two different jobs.
Table 1: Hook vs. introduction
| Element | What it does | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Hook | Grabs attention in the first seconds with a question, bold claim or story teaser | 5–15 seconds |
| Introduction | Welcomes listeners, names the show and host, and sets expectations | 15–30 seconds |
| Guest intro (interview shows) | Presents the guest and why they matter | 15–30 seconds |
A podcast introduction usually contains the hook, then the welcome, then the promise of the episode.
Quick Takeaway: Start with the hook, then introduce the show. Don’t open with “Hi, welcome to my podcast.”
What to Include in a Podcast Introduction
Every good podcast intro answers three questions fast: who is speaking, what is this show about, and why should I listen to this episode?
Use this simple formula: Hook + Show name + Who it’s for + Promise. Then add these parts as needed:
- A hook: a question, a surprising fact or a short teaser from the episode.
- The show name: say it clearly, every episode.
- The host: one short line is enough.
- The promise: what the listener will learn or feel by the end.
- A guest line (if you have one): name plus one reason to care.
- A soft call to action: “Follow so you don’t miss next week.” Keep it to one sentence.
Music, sound effects and sponsor reads are optional extras. Add them only if they don’t push the real content back.
Quick Takeaway: If your intro doesn’t contain a hook and a promise, rewrite it before you record.
15 Podcast Intro Examples (With Scripts)
The shows below are fictional, so you can copy the structure freely. Replace the names, topics and numbers with your own.
Interview Podcast Intro Examples
1. The results-first intro
Best for: business and career interviews
“Three years ago, she was working a night shift and had $200 in savings. Today she runs a company with 40 employees. This is [Show Name], and I’m [Host]. Today, Maya Torres tells us exactly how she did it.”
Why it works: the outcome comes first, so the listener wants to know how it happened.
[EMBED AUDIO: your own recording of Example 1]
2. The problem-first intro
Best for: advice and how-to interviews
“If you’ve ever frozen up before a big presentation, this episode is for you. I’m [Host], you’re listening to [Show Name], and today’s guest is a speaking coach who has trained over 2,000 people to stay calm on stage.”
Why it works: it opens with the listener’s problem, not the host’s name.
3. The warm and personal intro
Best for: lifestyle, wellness and community shows
“Welcome back to [Show Name], the show where real people share what they wish they’d known sooner. I’m [Host]. Grab a coffee, because today’s conversation is a good one.”
Why it works: it sets a friendly tone and states the show’s purpose in one line.
Solo and Educational Podcast Intro Examples
4. The question intro
Best for: explainers and finance, tech or health education
“What if the way you save money is the reason you never get ahead? I’m [Host], this is [Show Name], and in the next 15 minutes I’ll show you one simple change.”
Why it works: a curiosity gap plus a clear time promise.
[EMBED AUDIO: your own recording of Example 4]
5. The numbered promise intro
Best for: tips and tutorials
“In this episode, you’ll learn three things: how to start, what to avoid and the one habit that makes everything easier. I’m [Host], and this is [Show Name].”
Why it works: the listener knows exactly what they are getting.
6. The myth-buster intro
Best for: science, health and money shows
“You’ve probably heard that you need to [common belief]. Here’s the problem: it isn’t true. Welcome to [Show Name]. I’m [Host], and today we’re fixing a myth that costs people time and money.”
Why it works: it challenges something the listener already believes.
Storytelling and True Crime Podcast Intro Examples
7. The cold open intro
Best for: narrative and documentary shows
[Play a 10-second clip of the most dramatic moment of the story, then cut to music.]
“This is [Show Name]. I’m [Host]. In 1998, one phone call changed everything for the town of [Place]. This is the story of what happened next.”
Why it works: the story starts before the branding does.
[EMBED AUDIO: your own recording of Example 7]
8. The scene-setting intro
Best for: history and true stories
“It was just after midnight when the lights went out across the whole street. Nobody knew it yet, but this was the first sign of a mystery that would last twenty years. From [Network or Brand], this is [Show Name].”
Why it works: it puts the listener inside the scene with sensory detail.
9. The series-recap intro
Best for: multi-part series
“Last time on [Show Name]: the key witness changed her story. This week, we find out why. I’m [Host].”
Why it works: it reminds returning listeners and orients new ones in two sentences.
Business and B2B Podcast Intro Examples
10. The authority intro
Best for: industry and professional shows
“Every week, we sit down with a leader who has solved a problem your team is facing right now. I’m [Host], and this is [Show Name], the podcast for [audience, e.g. marketing managers].”
Why it works: it names the audience directly, so the right listeners self-select.
11. The data-hook intro
Best for: research and analysis shows
“Companies that do this one thing grow faster, and most of them don’t know it. I’m [Host]. On [Show Name], we look at the evidence behind the advice.”
Why it works: a bold, specific claim backed by the show’s promise to show evidence. Only use this if you can back the claim.
Comedy and Casual Podcast Intro Examples
12. The banter intro
Best for: co-hosted shows
Host 1: “Welcome to [Show Name], where we know a little about a lot.”
Host 2: “And a lot about nothing. I’m [Host 2].”
Host 1: “And I’m [Host 1]. Today: [topic].”
Why it works: it shows the hosts’ chemistry in five seconds.
13. The self-aware intro
Best for: humor and pop culture
“You could be doing something productive right now, but you chose us, and that’s a bold choice. This is [Show Name]. I’m [Host].”
Why it works: it sets the tone and the personality immediately.
Video Podcast Intro Examples
14. The visual hook intro
Best for: YouTube and video podcasts
[On screen: the best 5-second clip from the episode with captions.]
“That’s today’s guest, and what she said next surprised me. Stay with us. I’m [Host], and this is [Show Name].”
Why it works: video viewers decide in seconds, so the clip plays before any branding.
15. The branded title card intro
Best for: shows with a consistent visual identity
[3-second animated logo with a short sound.]
“Welcome to [Show Name], the show about [topic]. I’m [Host]. Here’s what’s coming up.”
Why it works: the logo and sound build recognition without slowing the episode.
Quick Takeaway: Every example above does the same thing: a hook first, a name second, a promise third.
Before and After: Podcast Intro Rewrites
Weak intros usually fail in the same ways: they start with a greeting, list credentials or bury the promise. These example rewrites show the fix.
Rewrite 1: the generic opener
Before:
“Hi everyone, welcome to my podcast. Today I’m going to talk about budgeting. Let’s get started.”
After:
“Most people don’t have a spending problem. They have a timing problem. Welcome to Money Moves. I’m Alex, and today you’ll learn how to set up a paycheck system in ten minutes.”
What changed: a hook replaced the greeting, and the vague topic became a specific promise.
Rewrite 2: the credentials dump
Before:
“My guest today is a very successful entrepreneur with many awards, a long career and a lot of experience in several industries.”
After:
“Her first business failed in six months. Her second one she sold. Today’s guest, Maya Torres, explains what she did differently.”
What changed: a story beat replaced the list of achievements.
Rewrite 3: the long branded video open
Before: a 20-second animated logo, then a greeting, then the topic.
After: a 5-second clip of the best moment, a 3-second title card, then “Today: how to price your first product.”
What changed: the viewer sees value in the first five seconds.
(These rewrites are fictional examples written for this guide.)
Podcast Intro Templates You Can Fill In
Copy one and replace the brackets.
Template A: The classic intro
“Welcome to [Show Name], the podcast for [audience] who want to [outcome]. I’m [Host]. In today’s episode, [topic].”
Template B: The hook-first intro
“[Surprising fact or question related to the episode.] That’s what we’re digging into today on [Show Name]. I’m [Host], and by the end of this episode, you’ll know [specific takeaway].”
Template C: The interview intro
“My guest today is [Name], [one-line credential]. They’re going to explain [topic] and share [specific thing listeners will learn]. This is [Show Name]. I’m [Host]. Let’s get into it.”
All 12 of our script formats, plus a cheat sheet, are in the free Podcast Script Templates Pack (DOCX).
7 Podcast Intro Ideas to Hook Listeners Fast
Table 2: Seven hook types
| Hook type | Example opening line |
|---|---|
| Question | “What would you do if your biggest client left tomorrow?” |
| Bold statement | “Most people prepare for interviews the wrong way.” |
| Surprising fact | “The average person spends more time on X than Y.” |
| Story teaser | “It started with a single email.” |
| Guest highlight | “She turned down a million-dollar offer, and here’s why.” |
| Listener problem | “If you keep starting and never finishing, listen up.” |
| Cold open clip | A 5–10 second quote from the episode |
Quick Takeaway: Pick one hook per episode and tie it directly to the episode topic.
How Real Podcasts Open (What to Notice)
Studying how established shows start is one of the fastest ways to improve your own. The notes below summarize published descriptions of each show’s opening, in our own words. Formats change over time, so listen to a recent episode before copying anything.
Table 3: Real show openings and what to borrow
| Show | How the opening works | What to borrow |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Passive Income | A short sign-on gives the show name, host and episode number, then music plays and a narrator explains the show | A repeatable sign-on that orients new listeners |
| SmartLess | The co-hosts take turns introducing themselves, with a repeated show-name chant over music, then relaxed chat | Give every voice a moment and let the tone show |
| Up First (NPR) | A quick preview of the episode’s main topics | A one-breath promise for daily, short shows |
| The Diary of a CEO | Each episode opens with striking guest quotes, arranged in the same order every time | Cold-open quotes inside a consistent structure |
| Marketing Over Coffee | Goes straight into music, then a narrator names the show and hosts | A minimal open works when the content is the draw |
| Crime Junkie | A cold open comes before the branded music | Hook first, branding second |
| WTF with Marc Maron | Every episode began with the same short audio sample (the show ended in 2025) | A repeated sound can become your signature |
[REPLACE BEFORE PUBLISHING. YOUR LISTENING NOTES: after listening to a recent episode of two or three of these shows, add one sentence each on what you heard and what surprised you. Update or remove any row you can’t confirm.]
The pattern: none of these shows spend long introducing themselves. They hook, name the show and move into the content fast.
How Long Should a Podcast Intro Be?
As a general rule, keep it short. These are common guidelines, not strict rules.
Table 4: Suggested intro length by format
| Format | Suggested length |
|---|---|
| Daily or news show | 5–15 seconds |
| Interview or educational show | 15–30 seconds |
| Storytelling show (with cold open) | 30–60 seconds |
| Video podcast branded intro | 5–15 seconds |
If listeners must wait more than about 30 seconds before the real content starts, you risk losing them.
Where to Put Your Podcast Intro
- After a cold open: play a short teaser first, then run your intro. This works best for story and documentary shows.
- Before the guest introduction: on interview shows, say the show intro first, then bring in the guest.
- At the very start: for short shows, open with the hook and the show name straight away.
Podcast Intro Music, Voice and Sound Tips
- Use royalty-free or properly licensed music only.
- Keep the music under the voice. It should support you, not compete.
- Record in a quiet room with the mic close and consistent in every episode.
- Use the same intro structure each week so listeners recognize your show.
- Read your script out loud twice. If you stumble, simplify the sentence.
8 Common Podcast Intro Mistakes to Avoid
- Starting with “Hi, welcome to my podcast” and nothing else.
- Reading a long bio of the host or guest.
- A jingle that runs longer than 20 seconds.
- Not stating what the episode is about.
- Changing the format every episode.
- Overpromising something the episode doesn’t deliver.
- Bad audio levels, with music louder than the voice.
- Stacking sponsor reads before any real content.
[REPLACE BEFORE PUBLISHING. MISTAKES I SEE: add 2 or 3 mistakes you have actually noticed in real recordings, with one line on how you fixed each. Delete this note if you have none.]
The Podcast Intro Scorecard (Score Your Own Intro)
Read your intro aloud, then score each row from 0 to 2.
Table 5: Podcast intro scorecard
| Check | 0 points | 1 point | 2 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hook in the first 10 seconds | None | Weak or generic | Specific and curiosity-driving |
| Show name | Missing | Mumbled or buried | Clear and early |
| Audience named | Not mentioned | Implied | Stated directly |
| Specific promise | None | Vague topic | Clear takeaway |
| Length | Over 60 seconds | 45–60 seconds | Under 45 seconds |
| Sounds like you | Stiff and read | Mostly natural | Natural and confident |
How to read your score: 10 to 12 means ready to publish. 7 to 9 means tighten the weakest rows. 0 to 6 means rewrite using a template above.
Podcast Intro Checklist
☐ Opens with a hook in the first 10 seconds
☐ States the show name clearly
☐ Says who the show is for
☐ Promises one clear takeaway
☐ Runs under 45 seconds
☐ Has balanced music and voice levels
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a podcast intro?
A podcast intro is the opening segment of an episode. It introduces the show, the host and the topic, and gives listeners a reason to keep listening.
How long should a podcast introduction be?
For most shows, 15 to 30 seconds works well. Story-driven shows with a cold open can run up to about a minute. Daily shows can be shorter.
What do you say at the start of a podcast?
Open with a hook, then say the show name, who you are and what the episode covers. For example: “[Hook]. This is [Show Name]. I’m [Host], and today we’re covering [topic].”
What is a sample podcast intro?
A simple one is: “Welcome to [Show Name], the podcast for [audience] who want to [outcome]. I’m [Host]. Today, [topic].”
Should a podcast have an intro?
Yes. A short intro builds recognition and sets expectations. Keep it brief so it doesn’t delay the content.
What is the difference between a podcast hook and an intro?
The hook grabs attention in the first seconds. The intro includes the hook plus the welcome, the show name and the episode promise.
Should I use music in my podcast intro?
It’s optional. If you use it, keep it short, keep it quieter than your voice and make sure you have the right license.
How do I write a podcast intro for an interview show?
Introduce the show, then the guest with one line on why they matter. Add what the listener will learn. See Template C above.
Can I change my podcast intro later?
Yes. Many shows update their intro as the format grows. Keep the core structure so regular listeners still recognize it.
How do I write a podcast opening for video?
Use a short visual hook, such as a clip with captions, then your show name. Keep branded animations under about 10 seconds.
Final Thoughts
A great podcast introduction is short, specific and focused on the listener. Pick one of the 15 scripts above, fill in your details, read it aloud, score it and record. You can improve it over time as you learn what your audience responds to.
Next, write your closing with our guide to podcast outro examples, plan the whole episode with our podcast script templates, and see all our guides in the Podcasting Guides hub.