So you’re starting a podcast- congratulations! This is sure to be a thrilling experience for you. Podcasts can do wonders for your business, brand, and authority. You made the right choice. As ready as you probably are to dive in, it’s important to pause and prepare. Your podcast will take a lot of time and effort, and you don’t want that to be in vain. With just a little prep and planning, you’ll be off to a great start. That very first podcast episode is an important one! You’ll set the tone of your whole show and it will tell potential listeners whether they want to continue tuning in or not. Don’t let that scare you though, this is a wonderful opportunity to show how amazing you are and what listeners stand to gain if they keep listening to your show.
Here are some things to include in your very first podcast episode to hook your listeners from the start.
A brief welcome message
As tempting as it could be, you don’t want to just dive into the big stuff on your first episode. Take the time to welcome your listeners and express your genuine gratitude that they took the time out of their day to listen to your show. A little appreciation for their time will go a long way!
Introduce yourself
Podcasting is great for building relationships. When listeners tune in to your show every week, they feel like they know you even though you’ve never met! Start that relationship off on the right foot by sharing who you are, some fun facts about yourself, your education, your area of expertise, and what you do in your first podcast episode. Don’t be afraid to open up here! Share a brief overview of your story and how you got to be in the position you are in now. People will appreciate your honesty and vulnerability.
Share what listeners can expect
This part is very important! Give a broad overview of the main types of content you will be sharing, whether they will be just from you or you’ll have guest experts or coaching sessions, etc. Giving listeners something to look forward to is a guaranteed way to keep them coming back for more.
Communicate your release schedule
Make sure to include this so that they will remember to come back whenever you publish a new episode. Set a schedule and stick to it. Consistency is key!
Include a call to action
If you don’t know what this is, a call to action, or CTA, is a call for your listeners to take action in some way. This could be asking listeners to follow your show, follow you on social media, send you a DM, download your freebie, etc. A good CTA will pull listeners into your world so that you can nurture that relationship and build trust with them.
We know it can be scary to do your first episode and put yourself out there like that, but you can do this! These simple tips will set your show up for success by setting the tone and starting to build that relationship that will turn your listeners into adoring fans.
Are you interested in learning more about starting a podcast and growing it quickly? Read more of our favorite posts here:
9 Podcast Recording Tips Every Great Host Follows
The Best Productivity Tips for Podcasters
How to Create a Podcast CTA That Your Listeners Won’t Be Able to Resist
