How to Create a Podcast Outro

So, you want your podcast to really stick with people? Then you need a great outro! It's your last chance to make a good impression and get listeners coming back for more. This guide will show you how to make a podcast outro that really works.

Why Bother with a Good Outro?

Why is a podcast outro so important, anyway? Here's the deal:

It Reminds People Who You Are: Your outro should remind listeners of your podcast's name and what it's all about.
It Tells Them What to Do Next: Want them to subscribe? Leave a review? Visit your website? Ask them!
It Builds a Community: A good outro makes listeners feel like they're part of something bigger.
It Sounds Professional: A polished outro just makes your podcast sound better.
It Makes You Memorable: A catchy outro helps people remember your podcast and tell their friends about it.

What Goes Into a Great Outro?

So, what should you include in your podcast outro?

1. Say Your Podcast's Name

Simple, right? Just say your podcast's name! And your tagline, if you have one. It reinforces your brand.

2. Ask Them to Do Something (Call to Action!)

This is super important. What do you want listeners to do? Be clear and specific.

Here are some ideas:

Subscribe: "Subscribe to [Podcast Name] on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen!"
Leave a Review: "If you liked this episode, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts." It really helps!
Visit Your Website: "For more info, go to [Website Address]."
Follow on Social Media: "Find us on [Social Media Platform] at [Social Media Handle]."
Join Your Email List: "Sign up for our email newsletter at [Website Address] for exclusive stuff!"
Support the Podcast: "Love what we do? Support us on Patreon at [Patreon Link]."

Pro Tip: Change your call to action from episode to episode.

3. Thank Your Guest (If You Had One)

Be polite! It's a nice thing to do and helps build relationships.

Example: "Thanks to [Guest Name] for being on the show! Find them at [Guest's Website or Social Media Handle]."

4. Acknowledge Your Team (Optional)

If you have people helping you, give them a shout-out!

5. Tease the Next Episode (Optional)

Give listeners a reason to come back next week!

Example: "Next week, we're talking about [Topic of Next Episode] with [Guest Name, if applicable]. Don't miss it!"

6. Music and Sound Effects

Use music that fits your podcast. A short musical "sting" can be very effective.

Write Your Outro Script

Okay, let's put it all together. Here's a sample script:

"Thanks for listening to [Podcast Name]! We hope you enjoyed this episode. Please subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, too! It helps others find us.

For more, visit our website at [Website Address]. You can also find us on [Social Media Platform] at [Social Media Handle].

A big thanks to [Guest Name] for joining us! Find more about them at [Guest's Website or Social Media Handle].

Next week, we're talking about [Topic of Next Episode] with [Guest Name, if applicable]. You won't want to miss it!

[Music fades in and out]"

Remember, this is just an example. Make it your own!

Make Your Outro Sound Good

It's not just what you say, but how you say it. Here are some tips:

1. Record in a Quiet Place

Noisy backgrounds are bad. Use a good microphone, too!

2. Use Audio Editing Software

Software like Audacity (free!), GarageBand (free for Mac), or Adobe Audition can help you clean up your audio.

3. Mix and Master

Make sure everything sounds balanced: your voice, the music, the sound effects.

4. Keep the Volume Consistent

Don't make listeners adjust their volume!

5. Test on Different Devices

Headphones, speakers, phones...make sure it sounds good on everything.

Examples of Outros That Work

Check out these podcasts for some inspiration:

The Daily: Uses a consistent musical sting and a simple website call to action.
Stuff You Should Know: Recaps the episode, thanks listeners, and has a funny closing.
Radiolab: Creative audio and thought-provoking questions.

What makes their outros so good? Steal their best ideas! (But don't copy them exactly, okay?)