Podcast: Launch > Kickstart > Welcome

Podcast Welcome (Episode 0) Overview

Every podcast begins with an origin story – your Welcome Episode is exactly that. It’s your opportunity to make a first impression, to say hello to your future audience, and to set the stage for all the episodes to follow. Welcome Episodes are usually concise, about 4 to 10 minutes, but don’t hesitate to make it as brief or as extended as you need to encapsulate your essence. Remember, it’s your genuine self that will resonate with listeners and keep them engaged, even beyond the topics you discuss.

So, what should your Welcome Episode script include?

Your welcoming episode should answer all the questions below. Use this worksheet to make notes and create an outline of what you want to say in your welcoming episode:

• Who am I?
• How did I get here? What have I done?
• What am I about?
• What will the show be about? What is the mission or goal of your podcast? (i.e., Main themes, topics)
• Who is the show for? (i.e., Who is your target or ideal audience?)
• Why should people listen? (i.e., What’s in it for them and what will they get out of it?)
• What is the format for the show?
• When will it publish? (i.e., once a week, twice a week, daily, once a month, etc.)

The outline above includes all the elements you need. Copy the questions, answer each of them, and this can be the outline for your welcoming episode. Plug in your camera and microphone, your preferred recording method, take a deep breath and press record. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect the first time, you can always edit it or record it again.

The Welcome Episode Script

The Welcome Episode is the keystone of your podcast series, where you lay the foundation for a meaningful connection with your audience. In this initial script, you’ll map out the essence of your podcast, giving listeners a clear view of the journey ahead.

1. Introduction and Hook: Introduce the hosts and share the passion behind the podcast’s subject.
2. Podcast Concept: Detail the core idea of the show, the intended audience, and what listeners can anticipate in every episode.
3. Format and Frequency: Outline the structure of the podcast, including the style (interviews, monologues, etc.), recurring segments, and the release schedule.
4. Value Proposition: Describe the unique benefits and insights that make the podcast stand out and provide a teaser story that embodies the listener’s potential takeaways.
5. Call to Action and Close: Invite the audience to subscribe and connect via social media, summarize key points, and conclude on an upbeat note that primes listeners for the next episode.

Download Welcome Episode Script and Template

Prepare to Podcast

Podcast audio is typically distributed by hosting it on a server and making it available for download or streaming through a variety of platforms and programs, such as iTunes, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Revision Requests

Videos, images, and graphics can help attract new listeners and build a following for your podcast. Using visual elements in your social media marketing efforts can be especially effective because they can help to grab people’s attention and make the content more engaging and memorable.