Podcast popularity is on the rise, which can be both good news and bad news for podcast creators. The good news first. A notable 44 percent of Americans age 12 and older have listened to a podcast, and 80 percent of podcast listeners tune in to an average of seven shows a week. As we’ll explore in this article, there is some great potential voice over for podcasts opportunities for voice talent in this rapidly expanding niche.
As more people are listening, however, more podcasts are being made. As of March 2018, the number of podcasts available on Apple Podcasts alone was more than 550,000 – with more being produced daily. Google just recently introduced a standalone podcast app for Android devices. The bad news is that competition is fierce, which means you need a way to make your podcast really shine.
More good news comes here. An easy way to make your podcast stand out right from the start (and increase monetization opportunities) is with a professionally voiced podcast and intro and outro. Read on to get the basic gist on what the intro and outro are designed to do and why having a voice over artist do it can be so beneficial.
Voice Over for Podcasts: The Intro
Your podcast intro is your show’s opening that introduces your show and you as the host. It’s designed to set the mood and tone of your entire show based on the music and words in your intro.
Here are three examples of podcast intros that I recorded in the past year or so:
The most effective podcast intros are short and to the point. You don’t want to waste your listener’s time with a long-winded description of what’s coming up. Tease them with just the high points, enticing them to tune in to hear more.
It’s also essential to match the voice and music in your intro to the content of your podcast. For instance, if your podcast is all about serene living, you probably don’t want a gruff, deep voice and heavy metal music as part of your intro. Using royalty-free music in your intro and outro is an excellent way to upgrade quality without the cost.
Keep in mind the branding you want your information to have, and make it consistent. The audience will come to identify the voice and music of your intro with your content, and it should make them excited to hear what you have to say.
You can think of your mission statement as the reason you’re doing your podcast, and create your intro based on that. Because your intro needs to be consistent for each show, it’s better to use your mission statement as your guide, rather than the specific content of each episode.
That said, here are elements to include and not to include as part of your intro.
How to Create a Podcast Intro
Podcast Intro elements to include:
- Name of podcast
- Episode number and title
- Music or sound effects
- Name of host
- Podcast tagline/quick overview of what your podcasts are all about
- Summary/intro of episode
Elements NOT to include:
- Entire rundown of your show
- Extraneous information that has nothing to do with your show or what you’re about to discuss
- Bad garage band music
- Anything that detracts without adding value
Voice Over for Podcast Intro Benefits
Using a voice other than your own for your intro can set up your content as a separate and valuable entity. Think of being introduced at a conference, or in front of any group. Someone else making the introduction can toot your horn better than you can yourself.
Hiring a voice over pro to record your intro can likewise lend credibility to your show, along with a layer of professionalism and sophistication. Your audience is welcomed by a voice that aligns with your brand, with a polished, perfectly-timed reading. Voice over artists who have been in the business for some time can also help you perfect your opening script to make it as smooth and flawless as possible.
What is a Podcast Outro?
Your podcast outro is the closing that wraps up the podcast and, when done right, leaves the audience with a lingering good feeling. This is the ideal place to include a tagline that you’d like to leave listeners with; something that is a core message of your podcast in general.
Here are a couple of podcast outro examples that I recorded in the past year or so:
Like your podcast intro, your outro is part of your overall branding of content that keeps your listeners loyal. A call to action can also be included at the closing, asking audience members to invite others to listen or share the content. Make sure you provide easy ways for them to do so, with a mention of your website’s name and link address.
Short and to the point is again the way to go, with a small handful of elements to include and another batch of elements to leave out.
Check out this handy dictionary of podcast terms for more useful definitions and descriptions.
Podcast Outro elements to include:
- Thank you to the audience for listening
- Website address for more info, host contact info, or to get the show notes
- ONE call to action (CTA)
Elements NOT to include:
- Entire summary of your show
- Extraneous information that has nothing to do with your show or what you’ve discussed
- Addresses for every single social media page you have
- Multiple CTAs that confuse or overwhelm audience that usually result in no action
Voice Over for Podcast Outro Benefits
Using a professional voice over for your outro gives you the same benefits as you get with the intro. You essentially book-end your podcast with credibility, sophistication, and professionalism.
Having someone else’s voice promote your show, and branding with your closing CTA, can be significantly more effective than you doing your own closing self-promotion.
The voice over for podcast intros and outros I’ve done have been varied and enjoyable, giving me a chance to align my voice with a variety of different brands. Not only do I get to work with dedicated podcast creators who have intriguing topics to share on a regular basis, but I also get a firsthand listen at some of the more than 550,000 podcasts out there. Make your podcast stand out from the crowd with a voice over podcast intro and outro.
Contact Debbie for more info or a custom audition today.
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