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Hey, Podcasters!

Think about the last time you checked out a new podcast.

You hit play…and within a minute or two, you decided whether to keep listening or move on.

That’s not unusual. In fact, a huge chunk of listener drop-off happens in the first few minutes of an episode!

Your intro is your podcast's first impression!

What Your Intro Needs to Do

A good intro is about giving listeners a reason to stay.

At its core, your intro should:

• Introduce who you are and what your show is about
• Preview what this episode will cover
• Clearly state what the listener will get out of it

You can add music or a short CTA, but those are optional.

Keep It Simple (and Short)

Most great intros are just 15–30 seconds.

One small shift makes a big difference: don’t just say what the episode is about, say what the listener will walk away with.

If you want examples, templates, and a full breakdown, read the guide:

Most Effective Podcast Intros

And if you want more on creating a great podcast intro, check out this episode of ​Podcasting Q&A​!

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters!

You’ve heard it at the end of nearly every podcast: “Follow the show, leave a review, check out our website, join the newsletter…”

A classic call-to-action list. By the time it’s over, you’ve already tuned it out!

The problem isn’t that CTAs don’t work, it’s that most of them ask too much.

This week on Buzzcast, the team breaks down how to create a call-to-action that listeners actually complete without turning your podcast into a list of chores.

Their strategy is to pick one priority and make it clear.

From there, everything gets easier:

• You can plan your CTA so it feels intentional
• It's easier to vary your wording so listeners don’t tune it out
• Allows for flexibility of placement in your episode

They also talk about using the Benjamin Franklin effect: an easy way to ask for help that actually increases listener buy-in.

If you want more listeners to take action (without sounding repetitive or pushy), this episode will help!

Listen to Buzzcast

Podcasting Made Simple Live

On April 16th, PodMatch is hosting ​Podcasting Made Simple Live​, a premium virtual event for podcast hosts and guests that helps them grow their influence, revenue, and expertise!

All Buzzsprout podcasters can attend for free! Just use code BUZZLIVE at checkout for a free ticket.

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!

Send a question for 'Ask Megan'

Hey, Podcasters!

For years, we’ve said one of the fastest ways to grow a podcast is by guesting on other shows.

But we hadn’t really ​tested it ourselves​. So this year, we did!

Jordan ran an experiment testing cold outreach, guest platforms, and everything in between and ended up getting booked on 8+ podcasts.

What surprised her the most was how easy it was!

Being a podcast guest isn’t about having a big audience or impressive credentials. Most hosts are just trying to answer three questions:

• Can you serve their listeners?
• Can you communicate clearly?
• Can you make their life easier?

Once she understood that, she built a strategy focused on pitching podcasts where she was a natural fit and could provide value.

Approaching being a podcast guest as collaboration, not promotion, leads to better conversations, real relationships, and growth for your show along the way.

She also found that tools like ​PodMatch​ sped things up significantly, since you’re connecting with hosts who are already looking for guests.

If you're ready to get booked on podcasts, this is a resource you don't want to miss! Read the full guide:

Get Booked on Podcasts in 2026

And if you want more on being a podcast guest, checkout ​Podcasting Made Simple Live​, a premium virtual event for podcast hosts and guests that helps them grow their influence, revenue, and expertise! Use code BUZZLIVE at checkout for a free ticket.

Have a question for Megan? Send a text!

That's all for this week! Thanks for listening & keep podcasting!