The start of your podcast is like your front garden.
If someone rocks up and there’s an old rusty washing machine in the privet, weeds up to their knees, and a crisp packet wafting in the wind… they’re not going to think,
“Ooh, I’ll knock on and see if they’re in for a brew.”
(I’m not saying your future podcast will be a grotty front garden. It’s an analogy. Before you write in😂)
Your intro does a bigger job than it gets credit for.
It’s the welcome, the vibe, the “you’re in the right place” moment - all rolled into one.
And what folk don’t always realise is that lots of listeners decide early doors whether they’re staying. Often within the very first few minutes.
So when you do launch, your podcast, your intro isn’t just “something everyone has”. It’s your first impression.
When I say “intro”, I mean either:
- the pre-recorded one you’ll use every episode
- or the short scripted bit you say at the start
Both count.
So if you’re planning a podcast (or even just thinking about one) here’s three things to get right from the off.
1️ Be clear about who it’s for (not just what it’s about)
New podcasters often say things like:
- “It’s about social impact.”
- “It’s about making a difference.”
- “It’s conversations that matter.”
All lovely, but… slightly vague.
Before you record your intro, get really clear on:
Who is this for?
What are they struggling with?
Why should they care?
What’s in it for them?
If someone presses play on Episode 1, will they instantly think:
“Oh, yes, this is for people like me.”
Clarity beats clever every time.
2. Don’t make it about you, make it about them
I saw a podcast episode that was PERFECT for me the other day, the title was “5 Top Tips on how to structure your newsletter”
I was like, ‘this is amazing, I’m in’.
Well the amazing-ness took EIGHT MINUTES to get to. In those eight minutes the host just talked about themselves.
The tips might have been great, but I didn’t stick around to find out. They’d absolutely lost me.
They didn’t even introduce the blimming podcast!
Your intro isn’t your CV. It’s a promise of what’s to come.
Instead of leading with your portfolio, go with:
- Who it’s for
- What they’ll gain
- Why it matters
You can absolutely say who you are, just don’t make that the headline.
Listeners stay when they feel #seen.
3️. Design it for where it’ll actually be heard
If you’re planning to put your podcast on YouTube as well as Spotify or Apple Podcasts, remember:
Video and audio aren’t the same experience.
On video you might have some titles, with
- your name on
- the podcast title visible
With audio none of that is seen.
So your intro needs to work with zero visuals.
If someone’s listening while driving, walking the dog, or hiding from their inbox, will they still understand what’s going on?
That’s the test.
How To Plan a Strong Intro
Try this sentence:
“This is a podcast for ______ who want ______.”
If you can’t fill that in clearly yet, that’s where your work is.
And that’s exciting — because clarity here makes everything else easier.
Your intro is the front garden to your future podcast.
Make it welcoming (and tidy). 🌻🌺
Cool Things For You
The Future Intro Starter Kit
If you’re planning a podcast (or even just flirting with the idea), don’t start by choosing music.
Start here instead.
Grab a notebook and answer these five questions:
1️. Who is this actually for?
Not “everyone who cares about impact”.
Be specific.
Charity CEOs?
Community organisers?
Ethical business founders?
Comms managers?
If you can picture one person while you’re writing your intro, it’ll sound 100x clearer.
2️. What are they struggling with?
Your intro doesn’t need to fix everything, but it should connect to some real tension.
Are they:
- Overwhelmed?
- Underfunded?
- Trying to grow?
- Burnt out?
- Feeling stuck?
If your intro speaks to something real, people lean in and listen.
3️. What will this podcast help them do?
Finish this sentence:
“This podcast helps you ______.”
Not: “Have conversations about…”
But:
- Grow your charity sustainably
- Tell better impact stories
- Build community without burning out
- Launch something meaningful
Make your intro active!
4️. Where will people listen?
If someone presses play while:
- Driving
- Walking
- Multitasking
Will they understand your show without seeing a single visual?
Design your intro for ears first.
5️. Can you say it in under 30 seconds?
Longer doesn’t mean clearer.
If it takes you 3minutes to explain your podcast, the idea probably needs tightening — not expanding.
Bonus Tip (from someone who’s seen this a lot)
Don’t record your “official” intro first.
Record a few practice episodes.
Find your rhythm and pace.
Then write and record the intro once you actually know what your show feels like.
You’re allowed to grow into it and also change it too!
Cool Things We're Up To
I’m Speaking at the Content is Queen International Women’s Podcast Festival (This Thursday!)
I’m dead excited to be speaking at Content is Queen’s 2026 International Women’s Podcast Festival, in partnership with Spotify and it’s this Thursday, 5th March.
It’s a one-day event bringing together women shaping podcasting, audio and radio from all over the world.
I’ll be on a panel called: “Alternative Ways To Fund Your Podcast.”
We’ll be digging into how you can fund your show when traditional ads and sponsorships aren’t appropriate.
If you’re heading along, hit reply and tell me, I’d absolutely love to see some Grab The MIC folk in the room.
Find out more: festival.contentisqueen.org
Tickets: luma.com/iwpf-2026
That’s it for this week’s newsletter.
If this has prompted you to revisit your intro, I’d love to hear what it sounds like! Simply reply to this email and send me a link to your podcast.
Next week, I’ll share a few reflections from the International Women’s Podcast Festival.
I’ll see you then.
Vx
