The Open, also known as an Intro, is a pre-recorded segment that is played near the beginning of each episode of a podcast. It typically features the theme music or signature sound effects and serves to introduce the purpose and style of the podcast to the listener. The Open may be voiced by the podcast host or by a voice actor and can vary in length and complexity, but it should reflect the unique style of the podcast and provide just enough information for a new listener to understand what to expect.

The Close, also called an Outro, is a pre-recorded segment that is played at the end of each episode. It reinforces the style and purpose of the podcast and may include information on where to find more content, how to follow the podcast on social media, and requests for follows or subscriptions. While it is recommended to have a Close, it is important to keep in mind that some listeners may not listen to the entire segment before turning off the podcast.

A Spot is a term used to describe any commercial, advertisement, or promo that promotes the podcast, the podcast host’s own products or services, or those of a third-party business.

A Promo is a type of Spot and often refers to a promotion of a podcast, typically the podcast host’s own. Promos are often used in cross-promotion, which is an exchange of promos between two or more podcasts to help promote each other’s shows.

A Trailer is a longer version of a Promo that introduces the podcast to potential new listeners. It serves a similar purpose to a movie trailer and may be designated as such on platforms like Apple Podcasts, allowing new listeners to listen to the Trailer before subscribing to the regular episodes. Trailers are typically between 1-4 minutes long.