What should a podcast intro include?
A good podcast intro tells listeners three things in about 10–20 seconds: the show name, what it is about, and who is hosting. Some shows add a tagline or a one-line hook for the episode. Anything longer than about 30 seconds risks listeners skipping ahead, so keep it tight and put the episode’s hook either before or right after the intro.
With Speechma you can voice the intro with a polished AI announcer, then generate original intro music to sit underneath it. Both come out as files you can drop into Audacity, GarageBand, Descript, Adobe Audition or Riverside.
Podcast intro and outro scripts to copy
Interview show
This is [Main Street Makers]: real conversations with the people building small businesses across America. I’m your host, [Dana Brooks]. Let’s get into it.
True crime
Every town has a story it doesn’t like to tell. This is [Cold County], the podcast that tells them. [Season two. Episode four.]
Comedy or friends chat
Warning: the following podcast contains bad opinions, worse jokes, and two friends who should know better. This is [Couch Committee]!
Business or educational
Welcome to [The Ten-Minute Marketer], where you learn one practical marketing idea in the time it takes to drink your coffee. Here’s your host, [Raj Patel].
Outro
Thanks for listening to [Main Street Makers]. If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show and leave a review; it really helps new listeners find us. See you next week.
How do I make a podcast intro with voice and music?
- Generate the voicePaste your intro script, choose an announcer, narrator or trailer-style voice, adjust speed, enter the 5-digit code and download the MP3.
- Create intro musicOpen the AI Music Generator in Music Studio and describe the feel, for example “upbeat indie rock intro with bright guitar, energetic.” Choose the shortest length (30 seconds), download as MP3 or WAV, and trim it to your intro in your editor.
- Add a sting (optional)Use the Sound Effects Generator for a short whoosh or riser between the music and your first line.
- Layer and mixIn your editor, start the music, bring the voice in after a beat or two, and lower the music by roughly 12–18 dB under the voice. Let the music swell back up for a second after the last word, then fade.
- Export and reuseExport the finished intro and save it as a template in your editor so every episode starts the same way.
Voice and music pairings by podcast genre
| Genre | Intro voice | Music prompt idea |
|---|---|---|
| Interview and business | Confident, warm American voice | “Modern corporate pop, light drums, optimistic” |
| True crime | Low, slow narrator or documentary style | “Dark ambient piano, tense pulse, cinematic” |
| Comedy | Energetic announcer or playful voice | “Funky upbeat bass and horns, fun” |
| Sports talk | Big announcer voice | “Stadium rock drums, electric guitar, high energy” |
| Wellness and meditation | Soft, calm voice | “Gentle ambient pads, slow, peaceful” |
| Tech and gaming | Crisp, modern voice | “Synthwave, retro electronic, driving beat” |
Want a sung jingle with your show name? Try the AI Song Generator with your own short lyrics.
Podcast intro dos and don’ts
- Do say the show name in the first five seconds.
- Do keep the same intro for every episode; it becomes part of your brand.
- Do use exclamation points sparingly; one on the show name is enough to add emphasis.
- Don’t use popular songs as intro music. Generate original music in Music Studio instead.
- Don’t imitate a famous radio host or celebrity. Pick a library voice or create one with Voice Design.
- Don’t make listeners wait. If your intro runs long, move the episode hook before it.
Producing many shows?
Podcast networks and producers can voice intros, ad reads and full segments without captcha or ads on SpeechmaPRO.com. Podcast platforms can generate intros automatically with the Speechma API, from $9/month.
Frequently asked questions
Is the podcast intro generator free?
Can I use the intro on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube?
How long should a podcast intro be?
Can I make intro music too?
Which voice sounds like a radio announcer?
Can I use my own voice for the intro?
Make better voiceovers, faster
- New voices and features the day they launch
- Script templates and tricks that make AI voices sound human
- Creator stories, community picks and early access
