Tag Archives: intro

Breaking Down An Effective Introduction – PTC 324

Play

The introduction of your podcast is probably the most critical part of your show. A typical listener will give you between 90 seconds and a few minutes to entice them to stick around. Don’t blow it. You can’t catch up to a slow start.

Today, we are going to break down six different podcast intros. I will show you which parts of the introduction are effective and which are not.

When you create your podcast introduction, you need to put yourself in the shoes of your listener. What is in it for them? That is what they will be asking. How will they be better by the end of the episode?

If you are going to use a clip from the episode at the beginning, you need to open a conversation loop. Tease the content to come by creating some intrigue. Make your listener want to stick around. If you can’t do this, don’t use a clip.

The voiceover intro should tell your listener who you help, what you help them do and why. You do not need to structure it in those exact words. However, your intro should answer those questions.

As an example, our first sample episode opens with, “Do you love your work? Do you think it’s possible? You’re about to find out.”

Do you know what this show is all about? It sounds like a show about finding a career that you love. I don’t even need to tell you the name of the podcast.

Edit your introduction. Keep it short. Let it give your episode momentum. Don’t coast and wander your way into the show. Start quickly. Capture the attention of your listener and get them excited about the content.

If you would like help with your introduction, grab my Podcast Introduction template at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/intro.

Ok, let’s jump into the intros. First up is “48 Days to the Work You Love” with Dan Miller.

48 DAYS TO THE WORK YOU LOVE WITH DAN MILLER

Host: Well, a listener says, “Hey Dan … all this talk about setting goals and getting things done sounds great but, I’m a thinker. Not a doer.”

(VO over music bed) Do you love your work? Do you think it’s possible? Well, you’re about to find out. It’s time for 48 Days to the Work You Love with Dan Miller on the 48 Days online radio show. Whether you need a professional tune up, or a work overhaul, this is the program for you. Now here’s your host, Dan Miller.

Host: Well, what do you think? Do you need a tune up or a complete overhaul? You know, we’re still here at the beginning of the year. A great time to be looking at that. Just gonna have some little kind of subtle realignment to what you’re gonna do? Or, are you gonna really make a break and head off in a new direction? We’re hearing from lots of you who are doing both of those things. Delighted to hear the plans you’re making.

You know, last week, the lead in was, “I know what to do, but can’t make myself do it.” We had a whole lot of you that that apparently kind of struck a nerve, and you commented on that. I’m delighted to have you do so. We’re gonna talk some more about that. What is it that keeps us from doing? There may be some unique kind of built-in traits that we have that make us more a thinker than a doer. Well, we’ll look at that.

So, questions … “I know what I need to do, but I’m easily turned back to wonder and invention.” Somebody asked, “How can I make some money off the land I just inherited?” “Where do you find customers who aren’t broke?” Love that question. We’re gonna dig in.

INTRODUCTION ANALYSIS

First, the title of the episode doesn’t get too cute. It let’s you know what the podcast is all about. “48 Days To The Work You Love” sounds like a career search podcast. The name isn’t too clever or too cool for the room.

The tease to open the podcast is effective. It is short and to the point, while creating anticipation of what is to come. The tease gets you guessing what the quote is all about. It makes you want to stick around to close the circle.

The voiceover introduction starts with the listener point of view. “Do you love your work? Do you think it’s possible? Well, you’re about to find out.” These three sentences reinforce exactly what this podcast is all about. The intro makes it relevant to you. We don’t waste a lot of time with information you don’t need.

Dan comes in after that with the overview of this particular episode. We know what the podcast is all about. He now tells us how this particular episode is special. What makes this one different than the others.

Again, he begins in the shoes of the listener with, “Well, what do you think? Do you need a tune up or a complete overhaul?” He gets the listener invested in the content.

Dan does a nice job creating social proof. He uses phrases like, “We’re hearing from lots of you”, “Delighted to hear the plans you’re making”, “and you commented on that”, and “So, questions …” All of these statements show listeners exactly what he wants them to do.

Finally, Dan gives an outline of the questions he will address on this episode. This is sort of a table of contents.

Overall, this is a solid introduction.

BUSINESS UNUSUAL

The next introduction is “Business Unusual” with Barbara Corcoran from Shark Tank.

(Host) Hey this is Barbara Corcoran you are now tuned in to “Business Unusual”. And, everything you ever learned about business, throw it out the window. I’m gonna tell you the real deal. Listen in.

Today, I’m gonna answer all your burning question about work, life, starting a company, getting on track, and much much more. Be sure to call into the “Business Unusual hotline” with your question at 888-BARBARA. That’s 888- BARBARA. But first today we’re gonna be talking about moms getting back in the workforce. What do you do when you put your life on pause, or at least your career on pause, to raise a bunch of kids and you want to get back? Listen in. I’m going to give you great advice.

INTRODUCTION ANALYSIS

This is a solid intro. It doesn’t start with your typical sample clip from the episode. Barbara gets right into it.

A sample clip isn’t necessary. If you plan to use a clip to tease the episode, you need to do it properly. A teaser clip should create some anticipation. It should open the loop that needs to be closed by listening to the show. Pulling a random clip doesn’t accomplish either of those.

Barbara tells us exactly what the podcast is all about. You know she tells it like it is. Her intro is focused on you. She says, “I’m gonna answer all your burning question about work, life, starting a company, getting on track, and much much more.” Barbara also gives you the phone number to participate.

She effectively tells you what the podcast is about, so you know it is right for you. Barbara then says, “Today we’re gonna be talking about moms getting back in the workforce. What do you do when you put your life on pause, or at least your career on pause, to raise a bunch of kids and you want to get back? Listen in.” She sets up the content for today to keep you around for the entire episode.

This whole intro is short and sweet. I love the momentum it creates.

FLIPPED LIFESTYLE

Next is the “Flipped Lifestyle” podcast with Shane and Jocelyn Sams. 

(Host) Hey y’all! On today’s podcast we welcome back Brooke Butcher. Last time Brooke was on the show, she was just starting out and growing her online nursing community. On this episode we get to celebrate Brooke’s growing membership and her incredible milestone. Brooke just quit her job and works full-time online. On today’s podcast Shane is helping Brooke get used to her new, self-employed, location independent lifestyle as well as growing her nursing membership. You’ll learn how to balance your time between business and life while working at home, promotions to help grow your membership site and how to know when it’s time to go full-time online. You are going to love today’s podcast. Enjoy the show.

(Voiceover) Welcome to the “Flipped Lifestyle” podcast, where life always comes before work. We’re your hosts, Shane and Jocelyn Sams. We are a real family who figured out how to make our entire living online. Now we help other families do the same. Are you ready to flip your life? Alright. Let’s get started.

(Host) What’s going on everybody? Welcome back to the “Flipped Lifestyle” podcast. It is great to be back with you today and I am super excited because not only is this an amazing member of the Flip Your Life community on the show, it is a repeat guest. It is someone we know and love and we are going to be celebrating some major, major wins in her online business and her membership world today. Welcome back to the program Brooke Butcher.

INTRODUCTION ANALYSIS

This intro is solid, but could be cleaned up a bit. The opening bit delivered by Jocelyn before the voiceover says much the same thing Shane says after the intro.

Jocelyn’s part could have been cut in half. This portion is intended to get you to listen to the rest of the episode. We don’t need a full guest introduction here. This portion would have been sufficient:

“On today’s podcast Shane is helping Brooke get used to her new self-employed, location independent lifestyle as well as growing her nursing membership. You’ll learn how to balance your time between business and life while working at home, promotions to help grow your membership site and how to know when it’s time to go full-time online. You are going to love today’s podcast. Enjoy the show.”

After this part, Jocelyn says Brooke is self-employed, location independent and the owner of a nursing membership site. We’re going to learn about time management and how to promote our site.

Shane then comes on and again tells us that Brooke has a membership site. We got that in Jocelyn’s portion. He says she is a repeat guest. We know that, too. Finally, he tells us we are going to celebrate some major wins in her membership. Jocelyn told us that as well.

I do like the voiceover intro. We know what the show is about. It is focused on us.

“Welcome to the ‘Flipped Lifestyle’ podcast, where life always comes before work. We’re your hosts, Shane and Jocelyn Sams. We are a real family who figured out how to make our entire living online. Now we help other families do the same. Are you ready to flip your life? Alright. Let’s get started.”

With this intro, we know exactly what the show is all about and what we are getting. We know how we will be better off when the episode is over.

I also like the way Shane doesn’t waste much time before he jumps into the interview. Tell us what we need to know to understand this interview is applicable to my situation.

SPEAK UP

The next podcast is “Speak Up” with Matthew and Elysha Dicks.

(Host) Welcome to “Speak Up”, a podcast about telling better stories. This is episode 103. I’m Elysha Dicks. I’m the Executive Director of Speak Up. We are a Hartford-based storytelling organization. We produce shows, teach workshops, and help people find and tell better stories.

And I am Matthew Dicks. I am the husband of Elysha Dicks. I am also the Artistic Director of Speak Up. I’m a storyteller myself. I’m an author of several novels. And the non-fiction title “Storyworthy: Engage, Teach and Persuade and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling”. A book that will help you become a better story teller.

How are you doing today, honey?

I am fine.

Excellent.

How are you?

I am great. I am happy to be podcasting again with you.

Yes.

It’s a glorious summer day. We only have two weeks left of our summer vacation before we have to return to school, but we are trying to suck the marrow out of every minute we have.

That sounds gross.

No, it’s a phrase.

I know it’s a phrase. That doesn’t mean it’s good.

Alright. It’s poetry. You’re supposed to suck the marrow out of life.

I know I’ve heard it before. This one I’m going to pass on.

Alright I’m going to be sucking the marrow over here.

Suck it by yourself.

Do you have any follow up for us honey?

Not that I can think of today, how about you?

INTRODUCTION ANALYSIS

“Welcome to ‘Speak Up’, a podcast about telling better stories.” This is probably the shortest intro that tells us exactly what the show is all about. I like this a lot. No questions here.

However, they follow it with “episode 103”. Is that important? Not really. That doesn’t have anything to do with anything. Leave it out.

Elysha then gives us their pedigree. I usually suggest podcasters start in the shoes of the listener. However, this is effective in giving the audience a reason to believe what they have to say. This intro gives them credibility.

We also know they teach workshops and produce shows. We know they know what they are doing. If we want more of what they have to offer, we also know we can get it.

The intro is followed by some chit chat. I love the way the play off each other. It gives us a sense of their style and sense of humor. However, it gives us no reason to stick around. You can’t catch up to a slow start.

If Elysha and Matthew took some of their story teachings, they would realize they need to start strong. Set the stage. Suck me in. Give me a reason to care.

“How are you? Fine. Glad to be podcasting. Have two weeks left in summer break.” I’m getting fidgety listening to this. I’m inclined to find something more compelling. They need to hook me sooner.

Most people give themselves anywhere between 90 seconds and a few minutes to decide if they will stick with an episode or find something else. Make it count.

INSPIRED MONEY

This one is “Inspired Money” with Andy Wang.

(Clip) Today on “Inspired Money” … Take this year, what a crazy year we’ve been in. So if I think that nobody’s hiring, there’s no opportunity for a small businesses, they’re all shutting down, that we’re all going to get sick and then it’s going to kill a whole lot of us, well, there’s some pieces of reality in there. If that’s what is dominant in my mind, I’m dead in the water. I’m not going to start a profitable business. I’m not going to see new opportunities. But if I think wow, this is a challenging time. With every challenge there’s the equal seeds of opportunity. If I believe that, then I look at this, ok, i didn’t expect this to happen. Yes, it closed this door. What am I going to find if I just re-direct a little bit in terms of a new opportunity?

This is episode 163 with career coach and author of “48 Days To The Work You Love”, Dan Miller.

(Voiceover) Welcome to “Inspired Money”. My name is Andy Wang. A managing partner at Runnymede Capital Management. Each week we bring you an interesting person to help you get inspired, shift your perspectives on money and achieve incredible things. From making it to giving it away, inspired money means making a difference, creating something bigger than oneself, and maybe, just maybe, making the world a better place. Thank you for joining me.

(Host) Hey inspired money maker, welcome back. If this is your first time listening welcome. Are you happy in your career? Do you feel like you found your calling? So many people aren’t quite sure and experience midlife crisis. I want to open with a quote from our guest. “Success is never an accident. It typically starts with imagination, becomes a dream, stimulates a goal, grows into a plan of action, which then inevitably meets with opportunity. Don’t get stuck along the way.” That’s Dan Miller. He’s author of the New York Times best-selling books “48 Days To The Work You Love”, “No More Dreaded Mondays”, and “Wisdom Meets Passion”. He also hosts the top ranked career podcast “48 Days to the Work You Love Internet Radio Show”.

INTRODUCTION ANALYSIS

The clip at the beginning of this episode sets up the interview. We get inspired with just a few sentences. We also end with a question, which opens the loop. The guest ends with, “What am I going to find if I just re-direct a little bit in terms of a new opportunity?” That’s what the episode is all about.

The voiceover part of the intro tells us what the podcast is all about. “Each week we bring you an interesting person to help you get inspired, shift your perspectives on money and achieve incredible things. From making it to giving it away, inspired money means making a difference, creating something bigger than oneself, and maybe, just maybe, making the world a better place.” We know what we’re going to get.

When you create your intro, tell your listener how they will be better after listening to an episode. What’s in it for me? This intro does exactly that.

Andy then introduces Dan. He gives us just enough to find his guest credible. He has written a few New York Times bestselling books and he hosts an online radio show. I’m good with that. I’ll listen.

The introduction of your guest only needs to provide your listener with enough information to make them care and want to stick around for more. It doesn’t matter that Dan is a career coach or that he has started multiple businesses. Just give us enough to want more.

SCREW THE NINE TO FIVE

The next show is “Screw The Nine To Five” with Jill and Josh Stanton.

(Clip) Your mission is to pay back how much you spent on ads. I’m getting all these customers coming in. Now, I’m building a customer list. And then you have a flagship program or one-on-one coaching and it’s so much easier to upgrade an already existing customer than it is the first acquiring of them.

Yeah.

Right? Once you get them in the door and you rock their world they’re going to be like, “This guy is awesome. I wonder what else they have.”

(Voiceover) Warning. This podcast may cause you to quit your job, and start a business. What’s up? We’re Jill and Josh Stanton. And we help people quit their jobs. Right now you’re joined by tens of thousands of up-and-coming entrepreneurs all around the world who are using their commute to redefine their lives and build a business online. So if you’re ready to create the financial freedom, time freedom, location freedom and personal freedom you crave so you can do what you want when you want, then turn up the volume and let’s do this thing. This is the “Screw the 9 to 5” podcast.

(Host) Hey! Welcome back to another episode of the “Screw The Nine to Five” podcast. Today we are jammin’ on if we were to start all over again … no audience, no revenue, none of the things … how would we build this business from scratch?

INTRODUCTION ANALYSIS

The clip at the beginning of this show does very little for me. At the end of the full opening, we know the episode is about “if we had to do it all over again, what would we do?”

The intro clip is all about, “Your mission is to pay back how much you spent on ads” or “getting a customer is harder than keeping a customer.” What does that have to do with anything? It doesn’t open a loop or create any intrigue. Be sure to tease effectively.

Now, I do love their voiceover intro. “Warning” is a great way to start. “You are joined by tens of thousands” shows social proof. They talk all about the life I want to create. This is all perfect. They are in my shoes and telling me the benefit.

When Jill comes back in with “Today we’re jammin’ on starting over again”, you get a sense of how she rolls. She jumps right into the content. The momentum is great.

The intro overall is nice and short. It would be much stronger if they had just used a more effective clip at the beginning.

TEMPLATE

If you need help creating your introduction, get my introduction template at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/intro. This will help you shape the opening of your podcast.

Do you need help with your podcast? E-mail me any time at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com. Let’s see what we can do.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.

When To Use Podcast Seasons – PTC291

Play

We are answering your questions on the show this week. If you have a question, e-mail me at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com. I read all of those notes and answer as many as I can here on the show.

Today we will cover what goes in front of your show open, are seasons right for you and do you have the right niche.


WHERE TO PLACE THE ANNOUNCEMENT

When you have a special announcement that you want to get out to the audience, is it better to place that announcement at the very beginning of the podcast or play through the intro and then make the announcement followed by the episode? Sometimes those special announcements can feel like false starts and throws off the flow of the podcast.

– Greg

I agree, Greg. Sometimes that special announcement can feel like a false start.

This is a matter of preference and style. There really isn’t a right or wrong answer.

Think of the listener experience. When they show up and press play, they want to hear your show. How doesn’t the intro of your show add to that experience?

When you go to a movie, there are a few trailers prior to the start of the movie. After the trailers, here we go. Time to roll the credits and start the movie. It would feel odd if the movie started and then we rolled a trailer about 5 minutes into the movie. It is all about the experience.

On the other hand, think of Law and Order. In every episode of that police drama, it would open with the crime scene. You would see the detectives gather the details of the murder and then the opening would roll.

This tactic is all about hooking the audience early. You must be there right as the show begins to understand the plot. It is all about the audience experience.

Saturday Night Live does the same thing with their opening skit. Some shows air a little “previously on” in order to get the audience up to speed.

What do you want the audience experience? If the announcement is the most important piece of content you could share, maybe you want it right up front. If the outtake from the interview truly sets up the interview and piques the interest of the audience, maybe it goes up front.

Think of it this way … If a listener is brand new to your show and listening for the first time, would they understand the piece before your announcement? Usually, no. You haven’t build any know, like and trust yet.

“Hey, I’m doing a webinar next weekend – go sign up” doesn’t work if the listener has no idea who you are.

Saturday Night Live’s opening skit works, because you don’t need to see the intro to find it funny. The Law and Order open works, because you don’t need to see the intro to be sucked into the show.

Most of the time, you will be best served by playing the podcast intro, doing your own episode opening after that to set up this episode and then doing a little housekeeping.


WHEN TO USE PODCAST SEASONS

Some podcasts present their show in “seasons”. What are the pros and cons?

– Jon

If your content makes sense in seasons, then use that format. Most do not.

Podcasts about sports would make sense in seasons if they take the offseason off. However, podcasts about business typically do not make sense in seasons. Business typically doesn’t have a season.

There are some podcasts about business that take the month of December off or they don’t publish over the summer. That might make sense for seasons.

Seasons make sense for three instances.

– Your content is seasonal with a gap, like sports or education. The Glass and Out podcast is a show about coaching hockey. They take the summer off. This works perfectly for seasons.

– Your content has a storyline or theme that spans over 10 episodes, like true crime or chronological history. Serial is a good example of this. At the end of the investigation, the season ends.

– You create a few dozen episodes at one time that drip out over months. Book Tour podcast by John Grisham was recorded at each stop of his book tour. When the tour was over, the season was over. Broken Record with Malcolm Gladwell and Rick Rubin is recorded a few dozen at a time. They gather these together in a season. There is a gap between seasons.

If your content can be grouped together with a similar theme or common thread, and there is a natural gap, it makes sense to use seasons.

When your content is evergreen and listening out of order makes no difference, seasons probably are not for you.


FINDING CONTENT IDEAS

How do I create a format that lends itself to longevity making consistent content long-term? When creating a solo podcast, it is all dependent on the host to deliver something compelling that people want to keep coming back for. However, absent listeners sending questions, the interview model is the only one I can think of that won’t kill me trying to create content for it each week.

– Devin

You need to find the topic and niche that you can talk about for days. If you don’t have a niche that really fires you up, creating a show each week will feel like work. We don’t want that.

You can change your format anytime you’d like. It is your podcast. You make the rules.

I have done 291 episodes of this show. Over the years, I have interviewed maybe 6 people. I can’t remember exactly. Flexibility is my friend. I don’t like to be forced to record when my guest is ready.

However, I may start having guests on the show. I want to start talking to entrepreneurs who are using a podcast to grow their business. After 291 episodes, finding new ways to spin the topics becomes challenging. I will also be answering more of your questions. Just shoot them in.

That’s the great things about podcasting. If you don’t like it, change it.

There are various formats. Each take a little more work. A solo show is easiest and most flexible. On the other hand, it is all up to you to market the show.

The interview show is the most common. That format requires less show prep. You aren’t required to come up with all of the content. Your guests also help you promote the episodes.

There is also the magazine style show. This uses the host telling a story with various interviews dropped in to help draw the picture. This is like 48 Hours or 60 Minutes or The First 48. Interviews and clips are dropped in to tell the story.

The magazine format is highly engaging, but usually takes a team to pull off on a weekly basis.

Decide which format is right for you that you can produce on a regular basis.

To determine if you have the niche that is right for you, do a little brainstorming. See if you can come up with 50 different episode topics that interest you in 10 minutes.

If you can do that, you have the right niche. If that task is difficult, you are probably on the wrong path.

Check out Where To Find Podcast Content Ideas – Episode 289.

I would be happy to help you with defining your niche and show focus. Visit www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/coaching.

 

Do you need help with your podcast? E-mail me any time at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com. Let’s see what we can do.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.

How To Structure A Podcast – PTC 288

Play

As I talk to podcasters and spend time in podcasting Facebook groups, I often find questions regarding how to structure your podcast. The questions span the spectrum from open to close.

How should the intro look? What needs to be included? Where should the interview happen? When do you make your call-to-action?

There is good news. It is your podcast and there isn’t one right answer. You can also change your show anytime you would like. Your structure isn’t set in stone.

YOUR GOAL

In order to determine how you should structure your podcast, you need to determine what you hope to accomplish. Many podcasters include elements in their structure simply because they heard it done on other shows.

I see this a lot when I’m coaching hockey. Coaches will run drills because they saw another coach do it. Unfortunately, they don’t understand the reason behind the drill.

A coach may be running a drill where two guys are battling for a puck in the corner. On the surface, it might just look like a battle drill.

On the other hand, if you had listened to the coach’s instructions you may have realized that the drill was intended to teach one of the players how to protect the puck along the boards to kill the clock.

Without understanding the reason behind an element on your show, you can’t achieve the goal the piece was designed to achieve.

Should you include an outtake before the standard intro of your show? It depends.

Should you include some chit chat on your show between co-hosts before the interview? Again, it depends.

What are you trying to achieve?

THE CLOCK

When you are building the structure for your show, use a show clock. This is the tool used in broadcasting to keep the show on track. It is like a rundown of when elements happen.

You can download my Podcast Talent Coach Show Clock worksheet at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/clock. This will help you lay out the structure for your podcast.

The biggest thing the clock will help you achieve is consistency. It really doesn’t matter much where things happen as long as they happen consistently on purpose. This is your show. Everything should happen for a reason.

START WITH AN OUTTAKE

Should you include the outtake audio before the intro? Only if it has a purpose.

Let’s say you are using a piece of the interview that happens later in the show. This outtake creates some intrigue and curiosity. It makes people want to listen to the full interview to see what it is all about. That is a purpose.

On the other hand, let’s say your outtake says, “Every online business should have a funnel that all starts with a strong lead magnet.” Yep. Right. Now what?

That clip doesn’t do anything to make me want to stick around to hear the interview. That was a statement, not a tease. Create anticipation and keep the conversation moving forward.

One of my all-time favorite tv shows was NYPD Blue. It always started with, “Previously on NYPD Blue.” Then, it would show a few clips of things that happened on past episodes.

Do you think those clips were random? No. They showed you clips from previous episodes so you would understand the storyline that was happening in this episode. You would say, “Oh yeah, I remember that character.” If you haven’t seen the previous episodes, it would get you up to speed.

Make your outtake serve a purpose.

PODCAST INTRO

There is a difference between your podcast intro and your episode intro.

Your podcast intro should be consistent from episode to episode. This is designed to tell your listener what the podcast is all about. If this episode is the first episode a new listener has ever consumed, the intro should bring them up to speed quickly.

On this podcast, I tell you each week you can turn your information into engaging entertainment and your podcast into powerful relationships. You can have more confidence in your content. You now know we aren’t talking about mics and mixers.

Your episode intro on the other hand changes episode to episode. This tells the listener exactly what is on this episode. “Today we are going to discuss your podcast structure.” Or, “Today we are going to interview my 2nd grade teacher.”

The podcast intro tells listeners why they should subscribe to the podcast. The episode intro tells listeners why they should listen to this particular episode.

Now you know the purpose of each. You should be able to decide how to structure each to achieve those goals.

CALL-TO-ACTION

Where should you incorporate your call-to-action and what should it be?

Again, what are you trying to accomplish?

When Dave Jackson and I review a show on the Podcast Review Show, we always ask the podcaster what their goals are. Many times they say, “Get more downloads.”

When we listen to the show, they tell listeners to follow them on Facebook, go review the show, leave me a voicemail and things like that. They rarely say, “Subscribe to my show and tell your friends.” Their call-to-action is rarely connected to their goal.

Decide what you want your listeners to do. Then, make that your call-to-action.

Be sure to get your important CTA in early. Many listeners don’t make it all the way to the end of your show. They stop listening when they are done doing what they are doing. If they listen while working out, they stop listening when they are done working out.

Include the call-to-action at the beginning of the episode. Then, include it again at the end. Both should be connected to your goal. Don’t confuse them with 13 calls-to-action.

My CTA for this episode is to download my Podcast Talent Coach Show Clock Worksheet. I put that call-to-action right up front. You’re getting it again right here. It is the only CTA. Get it at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/clock.

I’m not asking you to rate and review the show, send me 3 carries pigeons with notes and vote for me in the next student council election. Just go download the worksheet.

OTHER ELEMENTS

There are many other elements you can include in your show. Again, it is your show. Add whatever you’d like. If you want a polka band in the middle, have at it. It’s your show.

Just be sure each element has a reason. My dad always loved polka music. It brings a smile to my face. Plus, I always loved being in jazz band in junior high. So, I’m including some polka music in the middle of every episode. Fine. At least you have a reason.

If you are adding “on fire” to the name of your cooking show just because all the cool kids are doing it, “Sushi Chef On Fire” probably isn’t the podcast name you need. Understand the purpose before you add anything to your show.

Go download my Podcast Talent Coach Show Clock Worksheet. Let it help you structure your podcast. Get it at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/clock.

If you need help putting it all together, let me know.

You can find my contact info and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.

Don’t Blow Your First Impression – PTC 283

Play

You can’t catch up to a slow start. Your listeners need to know this podcast is just what they need. That comes with proper prep. Don’t blow your first impression.

MY HOMEWORK

I have been listening to quite a few new podcasts over the last few weeks. Staying at home has given me more time on my hands.

These podcasts range from solo shows to partners to interviews. Topics are all over the board.

Some of them have been personal prep for shows that will be interviewing me. I want to ensure I know what the show is about before I appear.

Many of these podcasts start cold. They jump right into the content. Then, they end cold. The host thanks the guest and the show ends.

When you boil it down, I learn very little about the host, the show or the business. There is no plan for the show. It is obvious they are missing the prep.

Over my 30 years in radio, one thing I learned is that you always have new listeners joining the show. Even if you have been doing the show for ten years, somebody is discovering it for the first time with this episode. Get them up to speed quickly.

PODCAST INTRO

Your podcast intro needs to do three things to make a solid impression. First, your listeners need to know what content you offer. They need to know how they will benefit by listening to this show. Finally, your intro needs to tell them who are you and why should they listen to you.

Many people forget that last step. The host talks about the content on the show. However, they give the listener no real reason to believe the host is an expert in the field. That could be a research expert or a results expert.

EPISODE INTRO

Once you have your show intro created, create an intro for this particular episode.

If your listener knows the podcast is interesting, tell them why they should listen to this particular episode. Include those same three points. What is the content, how will they benefit and why are you the expert here?

HOW DOES IT END

When you prep, start with the end in mind.

I have a free show prep worksheet that will help you develop the content on your show. You can download it at PodcastTalentCoach.coach.com/prep.

Frame your content with this worksheet before you write your introduction. Prep so you understand what you will deliver before you sum it up in the intro of your episode.

YOUR PREP

Here are the questions you need to answer as you prepare.

What are the interesting topics you hope to address on this particular episode?

What do you hope to accomplish? This includes both the topic and the show overall. What point do you want to make or what do you want your listener to do with the show is over?

How will you treat each specific topic you hope to address? What will you do with the content? (Answer the question, demonstrate the answer, play some audio, show charts to support your answer, etc.)

Create an outline for the flow of the show topics. (This is important for the show introduction.)

What supporting information will you need for the show? (Organize and highlight for easy access during the show.)

Now, write the introduction for the show.

Download your Podcast Talent Coach Show Prep Planning Worksheet here:

PodcastTalentCoach.com/prep

 

You can find my podcast and other tools to help you create great content at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com.

Let’s turn your information into engaging entertainment.