How write a podcast script for bingeable episodes in 2022
A great podcast starts with a great script. Even if it’s a loose outline you’ve sketched out in your mind. Your script is your roadmap for the entire episode—it’ll determine the flow of conversations, the topics you’ll cover, and the overall tone of the show. In this post, I’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to write a podcast script that will make your episodes bingeable.
This process helps you in particular if you don’t want to edit as much or want your post production to flow smoother.
It’ll also remove a huge layer of anxiety and give a boost of confidence while recording. Having written your thoughts out on paper makes them clearer. In a weird way, you’ve rehearsed this mentally already. A podcast script brings this to life.
Organize your podcast script
Speak to ONE person on the page who would find this useful to narrow your focus
Before you start writing, there are a few things you’ll need to do in order to set yourself up for success. First, you’ll need to choose a format for your podcast. Will it be an interview show? A roundtable discussion? A solo monologue? Once you’ve decided on a format, you can start doing some research.
If you’re planning on interviewing guests, take some time to look into their backgrounds and come up with questions that will get them talking. And if you’re doing a solo show, make sure you have enough material to fill an entire episode.
Once you have an idea of what you want to talk about, it’s time to start drafting your script.
I recommend starting with an outline of the topics you want to cover and the order in which you want to cover them. This will ensure that your episodes are well-organized and easy to follow. From there, flesh out your outline by adding in the specific details of each segment.
If you’re including interviews in your show, this is where you’ll want to write out your questions. And if you’re doing a solo show, this is where you’ll want to add in any anecdotes or stories that will help bring your points to life. Remember: the goal here is to make your episodes as engaging and interesting as possible, so don’t be afraid to get creative!
Once you have a complete draft of your script, it’s time for a read-through. As you’re reading, keep an eye out for any places where the conversation could be more fluid or the jokes could be punchier. It’s also important to make sure that all of your transitions are smooth and that everything flows together logically. If something sounds off, don’t be afraid to go back and make changes—the goal is to create the best finished product in the time you have available right now.
Sample podcast script
Bullets are everything here
Words and phrases that trigger stories or memories are preferred.
Long detailed paragraphs may work for some people, but it can feel overwhelming to record or begin.
So keep it simple by bulleting out your ideas.
Title / Headline:
This is the most valuable exercise you could do if you had only 5 minutes. Write a few title ideas. The good ones are usually on the 3rd, 5th, or later attempts. Having a sense of direction with your podcast episode title will give you a destination that dictates how you get there.
Hook:
This is the first 15-90 seconds of your episode. You don’t have to have this perfectly figured out. Just know what you’d like to include there in a bulleted format. You can edit a spot out of your full episode like 35 minutes in. Place it at the front of the episode, and now you have a hook. This preview gives the listener a chance to invest more time or move on if it doesn’t seem like a great fit.
Intro:
The most awkward part is starting off. “Hi. Hey. How are you? Good. You? Can you hear me?” So make this intro part of something that sets the tone for your guest, your listener, and even yourself. If you figure out the language here that feels natural to you, there’s an instant flow and rhythm that follows for the rest of your conversation.
Pain:
Getting to elicit the problems your episode is solving becomes important. If you paint this pain early on in the episode, you create this desire for the brain to figure out the answer. A good question or observation can do the trick.
*This typically becomes a useful starting point for clips or timestamps for show notes.
Outro:
The next most awkward part of recording is exiting the conversation. So know your way out. That way you don’t ramble on unnecessarily. I do this all the time. But if you know where you want to direct people to or how you’ll say “bye”, the landing feels solid. You avoid the old “Thanks for coming in.”
“No thank you! This was fun”
“Great thanks we’ll do this again!”
“Blah Bbah blah.”
How to use your podcast script
Avoid this at all costs
It can seem like the purpose of the script is to know exactly what to say. But if a viewer or listener can sense you reading off a screen or piece of paper, it can disconnect them from you.
Especially if you’re trying to act like you are in the moment. Reading off the screen will make you sound robotic.
Your podcast script is here to clarify your thinking process. And a backup IN CASE you blank or have a meltdown.
Writing a great podcast script doesn’t have to be complicated—it just takes some time and effort (and maybe a little bit of creativity). By following these simple steps, you can create scripts that will make your episodes easier to keep people listening.
Have any questions? Drop me a note here.