How To Write Podcast Show Notes
Podcasts are more than just an audio medium, and although it is easy to get caught up in the creation of branding visuals, episode teaser trailers and social media posts, podcast show notes are one of the most vital elements of your channel’s success.
And, in my opinion, we need to hold them in a higher regard than simply an afterthought or last minute scramble.
If you are new to the world of podcasting, and have very little idea about show notes and what they entail, let me break it down, along with why they are so important, and how to actually write them.
Read on
For starters, and in simple terms, show notes are the written descriptions or text that accompany your podcast episodes. They usually include a brief blurb of the episode, introducing your listeners to guests and topics which you discuss during the show.
Show notes should ultimately be a breakdown of all or a few of the subjects you cover during each episode; in some cases, podcasters add in timestamps to help their audience track down a particular section of the episode.
A brief summary [perhaps bullet points style] or a more elaborate one can both work for episode descriptions, however, in my opinion, balance is truly the key for show notes success.
In other words, be sure to have enough content so that the notes are effective, but not too much so that they discourage your listeners from wanting to engage further.
Finally, show notes often include links that may guide new listeners to your website, blog posts, social media, etc., as well as guest links.
Show notes are certainly a crucial item to add to your podcasting check-list, but why?
For one, they play a tremendous role in boosting your podcast following and engagement, and this is largely due to being able to incorporate relevant SEO keywords into each episode description.
By doing so, you are improving your podcast’s visibility in search engine results, ultimately helping you to reach a wider audience and attract new listeners.
On a more straightforward notion, show notes make your podcast extremely user-friendly and accessible to both new and old followers, meaning people can quickly glance over the notes and get a good feel for the episode content.
People can also track down specific episode parts they are interested in via timestamps, or gain access to links and resources mentioned in the episode.
Show notes are all about enhancing the listener experience, after all!
So, now that I’ve covered the what and why behind show notes, we’re ready to move on to the how!
A critical step in writing show notes is gaining a true understanding of your audience, along with deciding on a foolproof structure.
Get the ball rolling by asking yourself: Who is my audience, what are they interested in and how can I cater my show notes to keep them interested?
Once you have confirmed all of the above, it will be easier to tend to your audience’s needs and expectations, writing podcast show notes that resonate on a deeper level.
A clear picture of your audience means you can take on the next step of choosing a structure for your show notes with greater confidence.
Structure truly depends on your own podcast goals and mission, so it looks a bit different for everyone. However, here are three common components that most show notes consist of -
Episode Title And A Well-Balanced Summary
Timestamps For Specific Sections
Links And Additional Resources Mentioned
I’d like to point out that you can experiment with the structure of your show notes and all is not set in stone; play around with what you think will add value to your audience’s overall listening experience, and don’t be afraid to take inspiration from other podcasts listened to by your audience.
Episode Title And A Well-Balanced Summary
Before writing your main points into your show notes, be sure to craft a stand-out and attention-worthy episode title as this is what will catch your listener’s eye first!
It should offer your audience a clear glimpse into what the episode will entail, and if possible, spark their excitement so that they are more willing to tune in.
After you have decided on your episode title, it’s time to focus on the summary, AKA what the episode is all about!
Again, balance is key here. Include the main points of discussion, including special guests, and a little bit about why people should check it out, but keep it both concise and engaging. In other words, aim for your summary to include equal measures of brevity and meatiness.
Timestamps For Specific Sections
Timestamps are a fantastic way for your listeners to navigate and jump to different sections of your episode, making the content experience much more simple and straightforward. In your podcast hosting endeavors, this is definitely an easy and worthwhile addition to show notes!
Links And Additional Resources Mentioned
Don’t forget to add in the resources, websites/links or guests/people you have mentioned in your podcast episode into your show notes.
This is important because it ultimately is a way for your audience to both find and engage with who or what you have touched upon in your discussion, and also allow you to give credit where due.
A Few Other Quick Tips In Regards To Writing Show Notes -
Adopt a voice that is conversational, friendly and natural. Show notes are not only about offering your listeners an episode summary, but also genuine connection and an inviting space. Be human.
Don’t forget to incorporate relevant SEO keywords. It’s a great way to increase your discoverability, but remember to be selective, and don’t over stuff!
Add in extra listener value with a call-to-action or specific key takeaways.
Did you find this blog post helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts!