It seems like everyone has a 10-second rule.

10-seconds to attract anyone!

10-seconds for food safety

10-seconds to fall asleep

10-seconds for a teetering golf ball

10-seconds to being a calmer parent

In podcasting, you don’t have 10 seconds. You’re lucky if you have 5 seconds to grab your audience’s attention. Your listeners are busy. They have a lot of other content choices—just a tap away.

You must entice them! How? Craft a compelling intro. How? Here are some ideas…

Start with an interesting statement about guest (don’t start with introducing your show title or yourself – that comes later. Your show isn’t about you. It’s about your guest.).

Identify your guest – briefly. Don’t give their entire bio. Save that for the interview, if relevant, or put it in the show notes.

Identify the show and yourself – very briefly. 

Ask a question. A prepared question. Not a “yes” “no” question, and not one that will take your guest eons to answer. 

Remember, you are fighting for your audience’s attention – and the clock is ticking.