How To Write A Podcast Script: Everything You Need To Know

Now, we have a secret for you – the BIGGEST secret. Whilst research shows that only 20% of podcasts channels survive (not to be dramatic, of course), we’re going to tell you exactly what can make your podcast stand out from the rest of the podcasters out there. And the beauty about this is that we can talk to you about it through making a killer podcast script.

Behind every successful podcast episode lies a well-structured and thoughtfully crafted podcast script. In a nutshell, a podcast script serves as a roadmap, guiding hosts and guests through the episode’s content, ensuring a smooth and engaging listening experience. Now, we’re not saying you have to be a social media Shakespeare (although, that would be amazing). It’s all about crafting an outline which will take your viewer and/or listener through a journey. The truth is you can have the snazziest intro, the best video equipment and the coolest guest. But if the conversation is dry like the Sahara then your audience is going to click off quicker than you have the chance to introduce the episode.

So, let’s avoid the above together and get your podcast the following it deserves by taking a look at the tips below.

Make your episode topics about something you enjoy

Your enthusiasm is so key to podcast success. Because if you look bored, or are not interested in what you’re talking about, you can be sure that your audience aren’t either.Before you start writing your podcast script, clearly define your objectives.. What message do you want to convey? What value do you want to provide to your listeners? Knowing your interests will help you tailor your content appropriately and attract the right audience.

Finding something which is your purpose should be something that you’re very good at and something you’re passionate about. And when these two things intersect, that is your purpose and that is your podcast. So, just be completely honest with yourself about what you want your podcast to be rather than what you think it should be about.

Plan your content

Organise your podcast content into segments or sections. This is a great way to split out your different topic ideas to make a consistent structure, but also when it comes to editing you can make these YouTube video chapters (add this and your SEO will be thanking you).

To make sure each section has a clear purpose, we suggest splitting out your script as the following:

• Introduction: Start with a compelling hook to grab your listeners’ attention. Introduce yourself, your podcast, and provide a brief overview of what the episode will cover.
• Main Content: Divide the main content into subtopics or segments. Outline key points, anecdotes, interviews, or discussions you plan to include. Maintain a logical flow and ensure smooth transitions between segments.
• Conclusion: Summarise the key takeaways from the episode and thank your guest for coming along (if you have one), and thank your viewers for watching. Don’t forget to include a call to action, whether it’s asking listeners to subscribe, visit your website, or engage on social media

Write engaging dialogue

• Be Concise: Write down the main point(s) you want to cover. Whilst it’s absolutely fine to go on a tangent (as that often makes the most natural and interesting content), keep your main points nearby so your listeners remember the key points of your podcast episode.
• Use Storytelling: Weave stories, anecdotes, and your personal experiences into your script to make your content the most memorable. And let’s face it, we all love being nosy and finding out things about each other! For more tips on how to use storytelling effectively in your videos, check out blog here.

As a rule of thumb, the average person says 140 words a minute. So, be mindful of this when it comes to your scripting and fitting it in within a 15-30 minute episode!

Practice, practice, and (you guessed it)…practice! 

Whilst writing your podcast script, remember that you will be speaking the words aloud. Now, this sounds obvious – but you’d be surprised how many times a podcast has been scripted too much that it doesn’t feel natural. So, our main pointers here are to practise reading your script to ensure it flows naturally and also not writing out what you say word-to-word, so it sounds like you’re more trying to remember the specific words you wrote down rather than the point you’re trying to make.

Allow for spontaneity

Even though you have a script, be open to improvisation and spontaneous discussions. Whether that’s a random point or a story that comes to head, tell it! Don’t worry if you go off script, you can always come back to it later. Likewise, you have no idea what amazing things your guests might say, so always leave room for those conversations to develop depending on what’s brought up. And to be honest – natural conversations often bring out the best content!

Record with confidence

So, you’ve got your script prepared and you’re ready to go. What’s left to do? Record!

Whilst this sounds easy, sometimes it can be a daunting step to take. Speaking on camera can be an anxiety-riding step, even for the most experienced content creators. But the good news is, confidence is a skill that can be learned and mastered over time. For our top tips to build up camera confidence, we’ve written a whole blog here on how to get there!

But remember – mistakes are natural, and you can always edit the final product to ensure a polished result. Plus, you can take as many takes as you need to get it to a stage you’re happy with!

Did you find this article useful? Let us know in the comments!

To check out more of our blogs, take a look at our Education Centre here.