Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategy for Business Growth

What to Say in the First 15 Seconds to Keep Listeners Listening

Jan 14, 2026

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Most podcasts lose listeners in the first 15 seconds. Not after the first ad. Not halfway into the episode. Right at the start. In this episode, we break down what’s actually happening in your listener’s brain the moment they hit play, and why top podcasts obsess over their opening lines like the rest of the episode depends on it (because it does).

You’ll hear the five most common episode openings that make listeners click out of your show (even when your content is really good), see the difference between boring intros and openings that actually work, and learn how to structure your first lines to grab and keep attention. So if you’re ready to turn your first 15 seconds into a reason to stay instead of a reason to leave, hit play and let’s dive in.

1:02 – Why Most Podcasts Lose Listeners in the First 15 Seconds

4:48 – Five Common Episode Openings That Make Listeners Tune Out

7:37 – 4 Things Your Opening Lines Must Do to Earn a Listener’s Attention

11:49 – The C.A.T.S. Framework for Structuring a Bingeworthy Episode Opener

20:14 – How to Rework Your Episode Hooks to Improve Long-Term Retention

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

How to Diagnose Exactly Where Your Podcast is Losing Listeners

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

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