Podcast Intro Recording

TL;DR

What it is: Recording professional voice introductions for podcast episodes. You provide the vocal performance that opens each show, typically 30-60 seconds, following the client's script and tone requirements.

What you'll do:

Record voice performances from client-provided scripts
Edit and clean up audio (remove background noise, mouth clicks, normalize volume)
Deliver professionally mixed audio files
Revise recordings based on client feedback

Time to learn: 3-6 months to develop professional voiceover skills and audio editing proficiency, assuming 5-10 hours weekly practice recording and editing your own samples.

What you need: USB microphone ($100-300), audio editing software (free options available), quiet recording space, and clear speaking voice with good articulation.

What This Actually Is

Podcast intro recording is voiceover work focused on the opening segments of podcast episodes. You're the voice that listeners hear at the start of a show, delivering the show name, tagline, episode information, or sponsor messages.

This is a specialized niche within the broader voiceover industry. You're not producing full podcast episodes or hosting shows yourself. You're providing the professional vocal element that podcast creators either can't or don't want to record themselves.

Most intros are 15-60 seconds long. Some podcasters want a consistent intro voice across all episodes. Others need custom intros for each episode with updated episode numbers, guest names, or sponsor information.

The work combines voice acting skills with basic audio production. You need to deliver clean, professional audio that matches the podcast's tone-whether that's energetic and upbeat, serious and authoritative, or warm and conversational.

This sits at the intersection of the audio services market and the growing podcast industry. As of 2026, podcasting continues to expand, with thousands of new shows launching monthly, many of which need professional voiceover talent for intros and outros.

What You'll Actually Do

Your typical workflow for each project:

Review the script and requirements. Clients provide the text you'll read and specify the tone they want (professional, casual, energetic, etc.). Some include reference examples from other podcasts.

Set up your recording environment. Close windows, turn off fans and air conditioning, silence phones. Even minor background noise becomes obvious in a 30-second voiceover.

Record multiple takes. You'll record the same intro 3-5 times, trying different delivery styles. Professional voice actors expect to do multiple takes to get the best performance.

Edit the audio. Select the best take, remove mouth noises and breathing sounds, cut dead space, normalize volume levels. Clean audio is non-negotiable.

Mix and master. Apply light compression, equalization if needed, and ensure the final file matches professional loudness standards.

Deliver the files. Export in the format requested (usually WAV or MP3), name files according to client specifications, upload to the platform or send via file transfer.

Handle revisions. Clients may request changes to delivery style, pacing, or emphasis on certain words. Build revision time into your workflow.

Between active projects, you're marketing yourself-updating your portfolio, recording new demo samples, responding to job postings, and maintaining your equipment.

Skills You Need

Voice control and delivery. You need consistent vocal quality with clear articulation. This isn't about having a "radio voice"-it's about reading naturally without stumbling over words, controlling your pace, and matching the requested tone.

Audio recording fundamentals. Understanding microphone technique (proper distance, angle, avoiding plosives), recording at appropriate levels without clipping, and recognizing what clean audio sounds like.

Audio editing proficiency. Basic editing in software like Audacity, GarageBand, or Adobe Audition. This includes cutting and arranging clips, noise reduction, compression, EQ, and normalizing levels.

Script interpretation. Reading a script and understanding the emphasis, pacing, and emotion the client wants. Different podcasts need different delivery styles.

Attention to detail. Catching your own mistakes, identifying audio problems before sending files, following client specifications exactly.

Self-direction. Working independently without immediate feedback. You're often recording alone and making creative choices about delivery without a director present.

Basic client communication. Understanding project requirements, asking clarifying questions, managing revision requests professionally.

Most of these skills develop through practice. The technical audio skills have steeper learning curves than the vocal performance aspects.

Getting Started

Start with your voice. Record yourself reading various scripts in different tones. Listen critically. Can you hear clear articulation? Do you have noticeable verbal tics (excessive "ums," mouth clicks, breathing)? Practice reading at a consistent pace of around 150 words per minute.

Set up basic recording capability. You can start with a USB microphone like the Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica AT2020 USB ($100-200). Download free software like Audacity or GarageBand if you're on Mac. Record in a quiet room-closets with clothes work well as makeshift sound booths.

Learn basic audio editing. Follow tutorials on your chosen software covering noise reduction, normalizing audio, cutting and arranging clips, and exporting files. Practice editing your own recordings until they sound clean and professional.

Create demo samples. Record 3-5 different style intros-energetic, professional, casual, storytelling, etc. These demonstrate your range. Make them sound like real podcast intros, not just you reading words.

Understand the market rates. Research what voice actors charge for similar work on your target platforms. This helps you price competitively when starting.

Choose your platforms. Decide whether to start on general freelance platforms (Fiverr, Upwork) or specialized voiceover sites (Voices.com, Voice123). General platforms are easier to join but more competitive. Specialized sites often require auditions or membership fees.

Create your profile. Write a clear description of your voiceover services, upload your best demo samples, and start small. Price below market rate initially to build reviews and portfolio pieces.

Start applying or receiving orders. On Fiverr, you wait for clients to find you. On Upwork and specialized platforms, you actively audition for posted jobs. Expect a lot of silence initially.

The barrier to entry is the equipment cost and the time to develop clean recording and editing skills. Most beginners underestimate how much practice it takes to deliver truly professional audio.

Income Reality

Market rates for podcast intro voiceovers vary significantly based on experience, platform, and project scope.

Beginner rates: $50-100 per intro for simple 30-60 second recordings. This is typical on platforms like Fiverr when you're building your reputation.

Intermediate rates: $100-200 per intro as you develop a portfolio and positive reviews. Clients at this level often want more polished delivery and faster turnaround.

Experienced rates: $200-400+ per intro for professional voice actors with strong portfolios. Some charge more for complex scripts, multiple revisions, or commercial usage rights.

Per-word pricing: Some voice actors price by word count rather than finished audio length. Rates of $0.50-1.50 per word are common for podcast work, though this is more typical for longer narration than short intros.

Package deals: Many voice actors offer bulk pricing-for example, 10 intros for the price of 8-to secure ongoing clients.

What affects your rates:

Audio quality (equipment and mixing skill)
Delivery range (can you do multiple styles convincingly)
Portfolio quality and reviews
Turnaround speed
Your platform and client base

Volume reality: When starting, you might book 2-5 projects per month. As you build reputation, experienced voice actors report 10-20+ projects monthly, though this varies significantly by marketing effort and seasonality.

Monthly income scenarios:

Starting out: 3 intros at $75 each = $225
Developing: 10 intros at $150 each = $1,500
Established: 20 intros at $200 each = $4,000

These assume podcast intros only. Many voice actors diversify into audiobook narration, commercial voiceovers, or full podcast production to increase income.

Platform considerations: Different platforms attract different budgets. Fiverr trends toward lower rates but higher volume. Specialized voiceover platforms often have higher-paying clients but more competition from experienced professionals.

Income depends heavily on your marketing effectiveness, the quality of your demos, and your ability to deliver consistently professional audio. The work is project-based, so monthly income fluctuates.

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.

Where to Find Work

General freelance platforms like Fiverr and Upwork list voiceover gigs including podcast intros. Fiverr operates on a marketplace model where you create service listings and clients find you. Upwork requires active bidding on posted projects.

Specialized voiceover platforms like Voices.com and Voice123 cater specifically to voice talent. These sites connect you with clients specifically looking for voice actors. Many require paid memberships or charge per audition.

Direct outreach to podcast producers and production companies. Many podcasters outsource production to companies that handle intros, outros, and editing. These companies need reliable voice talent.

Social media and content creator communities. Join podcasting groups on Reddit, Facebook, or Discord. Podcasters often ask for recommendations for voice talent. Don't spam, but make your services known when relevant.

Podcasting agencies and networks. Some podcast networks hire voice talent for their shows. Research podcast networks in your preferred genres and check if they accept voice talent applications.

Your own website or portfolio. As you build experience, a simple website with your demos, rates, and contact information helps with direct bookings outside of platforms.

Starting on general freelance platforms is easier but more competitive. Specialized voiceover platforms typically have higher-paying clients but steeper competition from experienced voice actors. Many successful voice actors use multiple channels simultaneously.

Common Challenges

Audio quality issues. Background noise, room echo, mouth clicks, and inconsistent volume plague beginners. Creating a genuinely quiet recording environment at home is harder than expected. Traffic, neighbors, HVAC systems, and computer fans all create problems.

Competitive market. Thousands of voice actors are on these platforms. Breaking through as a beginner requires competitive pricing, strong demos, and patience building initial reviews.

Inconsistent work. Project flow varies dramatically. You might book three projects one week and nothing for two weeks. Income unpredictability makes this challenging as a primary income source initially.

Rate pressure. Some clients expect professional quality at very low rates, especially on general freelance platforms. Learning when to decline low-paying work is difficult when you need portfolio pieces and reviews.

Vocal fatigue. Recording multiple takes of the same script, plus daily practice, can strain your voice. Proper vocal warm-up and hydration become important, which beginners often overlook.

Delivery interpretation. Clients sometimes struggle to articulate what they want. "Make it more energetic" or "more professional" can mean different things. Multiple revision rounds result from miscommunication.

Equipment limitations. Budget microphones have quality ceilings. As you develop skills, your equipment may limit your ability to compete for higher-paying work.

Self-marketing. Voice talent who succeed treat this like a business, actively marketing themselves. Many beginners expect work to come to them after creating a profile.

Isolation. Working alone without feedback makes it hard to assess your own performance objectively. You develop bad habits without realizing it.

The gap between "good enough for a friend's podcast" and "professional enough to charge for" is larger than most beginners expect.

Tips That Actually Help

Record multiple takes always. Even if you think the first take was perfect, record at least three. You'll hear differences when editing that weren't obvious during recording.

Hydrate properly. Drink water steadily throughout the day before recording sessions. Dehydration causes mouth noises that are tedious to edit out. Avoid dairy products before recording.

Create a demo reel that sounds real. Don't just read words-create samples that sound like actual podcast intros, complete with appropriate pacing and energy. Potential clients want to hear you in context, not just demonstrating your voice.

Invest in room treatment before expensive microphones. A $150 microphone in a treated space sounds better than a $500 microphone in an echoey room. Acoustic panels, foam, or even blankets make significant differences.

Practice reading at consistent pace. Most podcast intros work best at 140-160 words per minute. Practice with scripts timed to develop this natural pace.

Study successful podcast intros. Listen to professional podcasts in various genres. Notice pacing, energy levels, and delivery styles. Try mimicking these to expand your range.

Get specific feedback. Join voiceover communities or groups where other voice actors provide critique. Self-assessment only goes so far.

Master your editing workflow. Develop a consistent process: import, noise reduction, select best take, remove mistakes, normalize, export. Efficiency matters when projects pay $50-100.

Communicate proactively. If client requirements are unclear, ask questions before recording. One clarifying message prevents multiple revision rounds.

Price for your target market, not your needs. When starting, competitive pricing helps build your portfolio. As your portfolio strengthens, gradually increase rates.

Keep learning audio fundamentals. Understanding compression, EQ, and limiting helps you deliver more polished audio, which commands higher rates.

The difference between struggling and succeeding often comes down to audio quality and marketing consistency, not voice talent alone.

Is This For You?

This side hustle works best for people who enjoy both creative performance and technical work. You need patience for the editing process and comfort working alone.

If you hate your recorded voice or feel self-conscious hearing yourself, this will be difficult. The work requires listening to yourself repeatedly and critically.

People with quiet home environments have significant advantages. If you live on a busy street, have thin walls, or share space with others, recording clean audio becomes frustrating.

You should be comfortable with technology and learning software. The audio editing component is unavoidable, and clients expect technical proficiency.

This suits people seeking flexible side income, not immediate full-time replacement. Building sufficient client base takes months of consistent effort.

If you're looking for quick money, this isn't ideal. The learning curve to deliver professional quality is 3-6 months of regular practice, and building a client base takes additional time.

This works well if you're interested in the broader voiceover industry and see podcast intros as an entry point. Many voice actors start here and expand into audiobooks, commercials, or e-learning narration.

Consider this if you want creative work you can do remotely on your schedule, have initial capital for equipment ($200-500), and can handle income inconsistency while building your reputation.

Skip this if you need guaranteed monthly income immediately, don't have quiet recording space, or dislike repetitive technical work like audio editing.

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