How to script your podcast? A beginner’s guide
You decided to join in this adventure of Podcasting, but now that you’ve picked a name, a topic and you are ready to start… How do YOU start your podcast? What do you say? And oh God, how do YOU CLOSE the show?
I had this conversation with all the podcasters that I’ve produced with over the years, and let me tell you - it’s way easier than it sounds. Make sure that you look at the script below and adapt to your show and you’re ready to roll!
How to write a script for your first podcast episode:
I’ve put together these guides based off a podcast with a Jingle, Intro, Interview, Outro and Jingle.
Disclaimer: This isn’t the ONLY way to create a script, but it’s the start of a podcast which is conversational, so have that in mind when reading through these two script examples:
First episode script example:
Intro Music or Jingle
Podcaster Introduction:
- Hi welcome to ...... , a podcast about.....
-I'm your host.......
-Thank you for joining me today!
-Here's what you can expect from this podcast (say what it will be about, frequency and type of guests)
(All the above should be less than 3-5 minutes)
Middle section of the show:
-SO this is how this podcast came to be... / This is why you need to know what I've got to tell you
-My background is (tell the audience an interesting story, remember to add bullet points and to reveal information that is relevant. If you're bored, THEY'RE BORED. )
-One time.... this happened, which led me to where I am today (Anecdotes or interesting stories should be included here, don't wait until the end to give them the goods!)
(All the above should be up to 10 minutes for an introductory episode unless you have information that IS RELEVANT to the audience. In that case, you can extend it up to 20 minutes)
End section of the show:
-Well, I guess this is the end of this podcast (recap the top learning information in a succinct way)
Remember to add a CALL TO ACTION:
-To learn more about me/ this podcast please visit YOUR WEBSITE and drop me a message (maybe here an opportunity to get the audience to share their views on whatever it is that you spoke about today or to grow your mailing list)
-Thank you for joining me this week, I will be back next week with more information about.....(if you know, tease the topic)
Outro music/ Jingle.
How to write a script for your standard episode:
Now, once you’ve completed your first episode, this is what your regular episode could sound like:
Intro Music or Jingle
Podcaster Introduction:
- Hi welcome to ......
-I'm your host.......
-Thank you for joining me today!
-Today I'm going to be talking to/ about (really catchy information that they need to know).
Example: "Today we're covering everything that you need to know about financing so that you don't end up backpedaling on a deal because you didn't calculate all the property tax. With me is Johanna Houston, a finance consultant.
Structure: what you're talking about + WHY your audience should know about this
(All the above should be less than 3-5 minutes)
Middle section of the show:
-introducing topic, or guest
For bios don't give the audience more than 3 things about your guest, otherwise they will be overwhelmed with facts and you're at risk that they kind of doze off if it's too long.
For a topic, start with information that relates to the audience, like a statistic or something that happened on the news, or alternatively, if it was requested by your audience. In short, humanize the topic and make it relatable to them.
-Start with a strong question
Never be afraid to ask anything, even if it's uncomfortable. Let your guest be the judge of something being 'too much to ask'
-LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN.
Even if you have some good questions, but you're curious about what your guest said, feel free to let the conversation guide the interview, not your bullet points (it will flow more like a conversation)
-Start wrapping up your conversation 7 minutes before the actual time to close the interview so that you can ask "Is there anything else that we didn't talk about that you'd like to let the audience know about?"
End section of the show:
-Well, I guess this is the end of this podcast (recap the top learning information in a succinct way) - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MAKE PROMOS later
Remember to add a CALL TO ACTION:
-To learn more about me/ this podcast please visit YOUR WEBSITE and drop me a message
-Thank you for joining me this week, I will be back next week with more information about.....(if you know, tease the topic)
Outro music/ Jingle.
And there you have it, two types of script guides for your podcast episodes! Using a consistent flow will keep your listeners from getting confused, and that makes them more likely to follow your call to action.
Still have questions?