Podcast Intro Music

TL;DR

What it is: Creating short, catchy music tracks (typically 15-30 seconds) that podcasters use to open and close their episodes. You compose, produce, and deliver audio files that match the podcast's tone and brand.

What you'll do:

• Compose brief, memorable music pieces that fit specific podcast themes
• Mix and master audio to professional broadcast standards
• Collaborate with clients to understand their show's personality and requirements
• Deliver files in the correct format and make revisions based on feedback

Time to learn: 6-12 months if you already have basic music theory knowledge and practice production 1-2 hours daily. Complete beginners may need 12-18 months to develop both composition and production skills.

What you need: Music production software (DAW), understanding of composition and arrangement, audio mixing skills, and a way to deliver professional-quality audio files.

What This Actually Is

Podcast intro music is the brief audio signature that plays at the beginning of podcast episodes. Podcasters need these short musical pieces because they help establish brand identity, set the mood for content, and give shows a professional polish.

As a podcast intro music creator, you're composing and producing these short audio pieces for podcast hosts. The work involves understanding what the client wants to communicate, creating music that matches their show's personality, and delivering broadcast-ready audio files.

The podcasting industry continues to grow, with millions of active shows needing audio branding. Most podcasters don't have music production skills themselves, which creates demand for composers who can deliver these short, impactful pieces.

This side hustle sits at the intersection of music composition, audio production, and client service. You're not just making music you personally enjoy-you're solving a specific branding problem for each client.

What You'll Actually Do

Your day-to-day work varies depending on whether you're creating custom pieces or selling pre-made tracks.

For custom work, you'll start by communicating with clients to understand their podcast's theme, target audience, and desired mood. Some clients have clear visions while others struggle to articulate what they want beyond "something catchy."

You'll compose the musical piece, typically 15-30 seconds long, using your DAW. The composition needs to be memorable but not distracting, as podcast hosts often talk over it. Most successful intro tracks avoid vocals and feature clear melodic hooks.

After composing, you'll produce and mix the track, ensuring it sounds professional across different playback systems-from phones to car speakers to headphones. You'll adjust volume levels, apply compression and EQ, and master the final audio.

You'll deliver the file to the client, usually as a high-quality WAV or MP3, and handle revision requests. Some clients want multiple versions or adjustments after hearing it in context with their show.

For pre-made track libraries, you'll create a catalog of intro music in various styles and moods, then list them on marketplaces where podcasters browse and purchase. This approach requires less client communication but more upfront production work.

Skills You Need

Music composition is the foundation. You need to create melodies and arrangements that are immediately memorable within 15-30 seconds. This requires understanding musical structure, hooks, and how to convey mood quickly.

Audio production and mixing skills are essential. You'll work with a DAW to record, arrange, and mix your compositions. You need to know how to balance different elements, apply effects appropriately, and ensure your final product sounds clean and professional.

Understanding of podcast requirements helps you deliver appropriate files. Podcast intro music needs specific characteristics-the right duration, proper volume levels for voice-overs, and formats that work with editing software.

Client communication matters more than many producers expect. You'll need to translate vague descriptions like "energetic but professional" into actual musical choices, and explain technical decisions in non-technical language.

Marketing and platform knowledge helps you find work consistently. Whether you're bidding on freelance platforms or building a catalog on marketplaces, you need to present your work effectively and understand what different platforms require.

Getting Started

Start by learning music production if you haven't already. You can use free software like GarageBand or Audacity to begin. GarageBand includes a library of royalty-free sounds and is particularly beginner-friendly on Mac. Audacity works across platforms and handles basic recording and editing well.

Practice creating 15-30 second compositions in different genres and moods. Make upbeat tracks for comedy podcasts, serious pieces for news shows, and mysterious themes for true crime content. Build a diverse portfolio that shows your range.

Study existing podcast intros to understand what works. Listen to popular podcasts in various categories and analyze their audio branding. Notice how they balance memorability with brevity, and how the music complements rather than overwhelms the spoken content.

Learn basic mixing and mastering. Your music needs to sound professional and maintain appropriate volume levels when podcasters play it alongside their voice recordings. The music volume should sit comfortably in the background without overpowering spoken content.

Set up on freelance platforms or audio marketplaces. Create profiles showing your best work, with samples that demonstrate different styles. Write clear descriptions of what you offer and what clients can expect.

Income Reality

Income varies significantly based on your approach, experience level, and platform.

Custom commissions on Fiverr show a wide range. Entry-level producers charge $10-25 per intro track. Mid-level composers with established ratings typically charge $35-50. Experienced producers with strong portfolios and reviews command $75-150+ per custom piece.

Some producers offer package deals, selling intro and outro music together for higher rates. Others charge extra for rush delivery, additional revisions, or exclusive rights.

Pre-made tracks on marketplaces like AudioJungle typically sell for $3-30 per download, depending on the track quality and licensing terms. Income here depends on building a substantial catalog and getting consistent downloads.

If you can complete 2-3 custom tracks per week at $50 each, you're looking at $400-600 monthly. Producers who build strong reputations and charge premium rates might complete 3-4 projects weekly at $100+ each, reaching $1,200-1,600 monthly.

The marketplace approach works differently-you might earn $5-20 per track sold, but successful producers build catalogs of 50-100+ tracks. Monthly income depends on download volume, which varies based on your catalog size, quality, and how well you optimize for search.

Most producers combine approaches, offering both custom work and maintaining a library of pre-made tracks to generate passive income between commissions.

Where to Find Work

Fiverr is the most active platform for custom podcast intro music. Set up a seller profile with audio samples demonstrating different styles. Price competitively when starting to build reviews, then increase rates as you establish credibility.

Upwork connects you with clients posting specific projects. The platform works better for higher-budget custom work, as clients often seek producers for ongoing audio needs beyond just intro music.

AudioJungle lets you sell pre-made tracks to podcasters browsing for ready-made solutions. You'll upload your tracks, set prices, and earn royalties when people purchase. Building a successful library here takes time but can generate passive income.

Bandcamp allows you to sell directly to customers without marketplace fees eating into your revenue. You'll need to drive your own traffic, but you keep more of each sale.

Note: Platforms may charge fees or commissions. We don't track specific rates as they change frequently. Check each platform's current pricing before signing up.

Consider building a simple website showcasing your portfolio and offering direct booking. Some podcasters prefer working directly with producers rather than through marketplace platforms.

Search for podcast production communities and forums where hosts discuss their needs. Offering helpful advice and occasionally mentioning your services can lead to organic client relationships.

Common Challenges

Vague client briefs create the most frequent issues. Clients often say they want something "catchy" or "professional" without providing specific references or style guidelines. You'll spend time clarifying requirements through back-and-forth communication, or risk creating something they don't want.

Revision requests can multiply quickly if initial expectations weren't clearly set. Some clients want extensive changes after hearing the first version, which eats into your effective hourly rate. Learning to set revision limits upfront helps manage this.

Standing out in crowded marketplaces takes time and strategy. Thousands of producers offer similar services, so you need compelling samples, competitive pricing, and eventually strong reviews to attract clients consistently.

Technical quality expectations are high. Podcasters compare your work to professional radio and streaming content. If your mixing or mastering falls short, clients notice immediately and may request redos or leave negative feedback.

Inconsistent income is typical when starting. You might land several projects one week, then go days or weeks without new clients. Building reliable monthly income requires patience and ongoing marketing effort.

Copyright and licensing confusion sometimes arises. Clients may not understand music licensing, leading to questions about whether they can use the track exclusively, what happens if their podcast becomes commercial, or whether you retain any rights.

Tips That Actually Help

Set clear project parameters before starting work. Establish exactly how many revisions are included, what file formats you'll deliver, and the typical turnaround time. This prevents scope creep and client misunderstandings.

Ask clients for reference tracks they like. Instead of interpreting "energetic," hear what they actually mean by having them share 2-3 examples of existing music that captures their desired mood.

Create templates in your DAW for common podcast intro styles. Having starting points for upbeat, serious, mysterious, and other common moods speeds up your production process significantly.

Price based on the project value, not just your time. A 30-second track that takes you 2 hours to create might be worth $75 to the client, even if that's not your target hourly rate. As you gain efficiency, your effective hourly rate improves.

Build a varied portfolio showing range across genres. Podcasts cover everything from true crime to business to comedy. Demonstrating versatility attracts more clients than specializing too narrowly.

Master the art of mixing for podcasts specifically. The music needs to sit well under spoken word, which means different EQ and compression choices than standalone music tracks.

Respond quickly to inquiries and deliver on time. Many producers are unreliable about communication and deadlines, so simply being responsive and punctual sets you apart.

Consider offering bundle deals for intro, outro, and transition music. Podcasters often need multiple audio elements, and selling packages increases your per-client revenue.

Is This For You

This side hustle works well if you enjoy music production and want to apply those skills commercially. You'll get to create diverse pieces quickly rather than spending months on single songs.

You should be comfortable with client feedback and revision requests. Not every client articulates their needs clearly upfront, and you'll need patience to refine your work based on sometimes vague direction.

The work suits people who want flexible remote income without needing full-time commitment. You can take on projects around other schedules and scale up or down based on your availability.

If you prefer complete creative control over your music, this might frustrate you. You're serving client needs rather than pursuing your own artistic vision, which means compromising your preferences regularly.

The income is supplementary rather than immediately career-replacing for most people. Building to $1,000+ monthly takes time, strong reviews, and consistent client acquisition. Treat this as side income while maintaining other revenue sources.

You'll need basic business skills beyond just music production-client communication, project management, and self-promotion matter as much as your composition abilities.

If you enjoy quick creative challenges, iterative feedback, and applying production skills to solve specific branding problems, podcast intro music offers a viable remote side hustle with room to grow as you build reputation and skills.