Opening an episode properly is crucial for the success of your project, and closing it properly is just as important.

Experienced podcasters know that every segment of an episode deserves the utmost attention, and nothing should be left to chance.

Consequently, the outro—the technical term for the closing part—deserves the same effort. In this blog post, we’ll explain how to craft the perfect outro in just 7 steps.

Additionally, we've created two templates to help you generate your outro according to those guidelines, whether you need a sophisticated sign-off or a simple and brief one. You'll find them at the end of the article in the Template section.

What is an outro?

In the world of communications, the outro is the final part of an episode, essentially the conclusion of the program.

It typically includes key elements that encourage listeners to return, thank the guests and sponsors, and promote actions, like subscribing.

Why is the closing of an episode so important?

Simply put, as we explained in our article "How to create a winning podcast intro in 7 steps," both the intro and outro should be brief.

The outro should last no more than 30 seconds for short episodes and up to 2 minutes for longer ones. Although 2 minutes seems brief, strategic planning of your intro can optimally utilize this time.

In this short segment, you must be able to insert a number of details, which should be concise and clear.

A successful outro should at least include:

• A summary of the content

• Greetings and thanks to participants

• Acknowledgements to sponsors

• A call to action (e.g., to subscribe or purchase)

• A preview of the topic for the next episode

• Final greetings

• The closing jingle

In some cases, if it’s not done in the intro or required by commercial agreements with sponsors, you may also need to relaunch a promotional message. Use the time wisely, leaving nothing to chance.

How to Create the Perfect Outro 

Now, let’s detail all the points you should cover in your outro:

• Summarize the Episode: Start with a brief recap of what was discussed during the podcast. This reinforces the content, making it easier for listeners to feel satisfied after listening.

• Thank the Guests and Contributors: Showing appreciation for those who contributed to the podcast is crucial. Thank the guests, collaborators, and anyone else who played a role in creating the episode.

• Integrate Sponsors: Naturally include mentions of sponsors in your final greetings, explaining how their products or services relate to the podcast content. This satisfies advertising agreements while maintaining content integrity and prevents listeners from feeling like the promotional message is forced. Remember not to mention the sponsors excessively during the podcast, so use your best judgment: too much advertising makes the listeners feel more like commercial targets rather than community members.

• Call to Action (CTA): Encourage listeners to subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, follow on social media, or visit your website. A CTA is crucial for building a loyal listener base. The call to action is important because while your goal with the podcast is to gain a dedicated listener base, financial input from them may become necessary further down the road. The call to action may be to sell a product, such as a book that you have written, or to sell subscriptions or some other type of monetary donation.

• Create Anticipation for the Next Episode: Give listeners a preview of what to expect in upcoming episodes. An enticing preview can increase interest and anticipation, encouraging their return.

• Close on a Positive or Motivational Note: Leave listeners with a pleasant feeling or something to ponder, maintaining their interest and convincing them that it's worth returning to your podcast.

• Incorporate a Closing Jingle: Use a sound effect or jingle that aligns with the tone of your podcast. This not only enhances the listening experience and signifies the end of the episode but also helps establish a recognizable sound identity.

Furthermore, create your closure while respecting these factors:

• Ensure the outro is consistent with the introduction and the overall tone of the podcast. Consistency strengthens your podcast's brand and builds familiarity with listeners.

• Be concise. Listeners appreciate receiving necessary information without excessive talk, especially during the podcast's closing phase.

• Strictly adhere to the expected duration: As stated, intros and outros should last between 30 and 120 seconds. Fit your message within the allotted time without overextending.

• Include listener feedback: Mention any feedback received, or if you have time, briefly respond to common questions. This can enhance interaction and make listeners feel part of the podcast community. However, since this is the conclusion, if you would like to give an in-depth response to some questions, or to properly engage with your followers, then it would be better to carve out a space within the episode and connect it organically to the content.

• Provide high technical quality: The production and sound of your outro should be top-notch, like the rest of the episode. If you lack the necessary technical skills, take a shortcut. Buy a jingle or hire a freelancer to create one for you, or leverage the capabilities of a specific podcast software. Mentioning softwares... one of my favorite software for podcasting is PodcastAI, an innovative software that takes care of all post-production aspects of your podcast, allowing you to focus on exploring the creative side of your project. PodcastAI offers both a Pro and a Basic subscription, making it accessible even for those new to the podcasting world.

  

Practical Examples for Podcast Templates

We've now reached the section on practical examples. We'll provide two templates that you can adapt to your podcast and its content based on the standard episode length.

Long Podcast Template (2 Minutes)

• Content Summary (20 seconds): Today we explored the world of Italian regional cuisines, offering valuable tips on preparing authentic Made in Italy carbonara and secrets to making the dish a masterpiece worthy of a Michelin-starred restaurant!

• Greetings and Thanks to Participants (10 seconds): A warm thank you to our guests, Chef Tyler White and food critic Laura Mellencamp, for their invaluable advice.

• Acknowledgements to Sponsors (10 seconds): This episode was made possible thanks to the support of TopChef, high-quality kitchen equipment.

• Call to Action (15 seconds): If today's recipes inspired you, don't forget to subscribe to our podcast and visit our website to download free cooking guides. You can also find us on Instagram (@username) and X (@username).

• Preview of the Next Episode (15 seconds): Don't miss our next episode, where we'll take you into the world of French desserts. Together we'll learn how to prepare a chocolate soufflé that earns top marks!

• Greetings (10 seconds): Thank you for staying with us and allowing us to share our immense passion for Italian cuisine with you. Goodbye, and bon appétit!

• Closing Jingle (30 seconds)

Short Podcast Template (30 Seconds)

• And with that, we conclude our journey through Italian regional cuisines.

• Thanks to Dino and Laura for their advice on preparing a perfect carbonara.

• A special thanks to TopChef for their support.

• Don't forget to subscribe and visit our site for exclusive guides.

• Get ready for our next episode on French desserts.

• Thank you to all our listeners, see you on the next delicious adventure.

• Play the jingle

Conclusion

I will never tire of repeating how important it is to plan a podcast down to the smallest detail, and the closure of an episode deserves the same importance as any other part of it.

A well-structured outro not only facilitates the episode's closure, but also ensures the return of listeners, promoting engagement and creating a solid connection with the audience.

As the saying goes, the devil is in the details, and by following our guide to the perfect outro in just 7 steps, you're guaranteed to see immediate results and achieve success.