Podcast Script Tips for Beginners
- Keep it conversational. The biggest challenge of writing a podcast script is keeping it conversational. If you aren’t careful, reading a podcast script can lead to a flat, monotone delivery.
- Use delivery notes. Another trick every good podcast script includes are delivery notes. These are notes within your script that indicate pauses, emphasis, laughs, sighs, and other dramatic effects.
- Allow for some riffing. Just because you write a podcast script before your recording doesn’t mean you are bound to it. ...
- Describe the scene. Podcasting is an audio medium, which means our audience doesn’t have any visual cues. ...
- Maintain a reasonable pace. The best podcast episodes maintain a consistent space that keeps listeners engaged. A good pace is not too fast and not too slow.
Full Answer
How do you write a podcast script?
Write clearly. Listeners only hear it once, unless they replay it. You can‟t count on them to do that, so your meaning has to be clear the first time your listeners hear it. Interview-style podcast – script the introduction and closing and outline the questions. Never script the answers because they can sound stilted when people read them.
Should you write a script for your podcast?
Writing podcast scripts is a personal thing. Some people choose to fully script entire shows word for word. Whilst others have just a title and improvise the rest. However you choose to plan out your episodes, it’s best to have something to refer too, even if it’s a rough script. There’s no right or wrong type of podcast script.
How to write a podcast script?
Write down:
- Your TEDx goal - what outcome you desire form your TEDx talk? Why you are doing it? Where you want the talk to get you?
- Time frame - how long you want your talk to be
- Who is your audience - describe your avatars in few words. Use job positions, beliefs, problems they have, any type of personalities you will serve with your talk
How to write a podcast script [5 free script templates]?
Podcast – Script. Name: ... Have your conclusion and at least 5 seconds of music before ending your podcast. Subtopic 5. Jesse: The last step of making your podcast is saving your podcast as a .mp3 file. Save your work normally, then go to File in the top menu bar. Scroll down to “Export as a .mp3” and save your pod cast as “podcast ...
How do you script a podcast?
Here are a few tips that will help you craft an engaging podcast script.Keep it conversational. The biggest challenge of writing a podcast script is keeping it conversational. ... Use delivery notes. ... Allow for some riffing. ... Describe the scene. ... Maintain a reasonable pace. ... Be yourself. ... Show introduction. ... Guest introductions.More items...•
Should you write a script for a podcast?
One of the things we're often asked, especially by new podcasters, is “should I write a script for my podcast?” The answer is almost always 'yes'. You should script your episode.
How do you script a podcast intro?
What Is A Podcast Intro Script?Podcast name: Help audiences know what they are listening to.Host(s) names: Introduce yourself and any co-hosts in a few sentences.Episode Title: Some podcasts like to mention the episode title to help listeners orientate themselves.More items...•
How long is a script for a 30 minute podcast?
I've previously asked him about how he puts together his episodes, and he told me that he spends a few hours carefully writing a script of what he is going to say, and finds that he uses approximately 3000 words per script for each 30 minute episode.
How many words is a 30 minute podcast?
3000 words for 20 minutes episode. 4500 words for 30 minutes episode.
What is podcast script example?
The simplest intro template looks like this: “Welcome to [podcast name], where we discuss [podcast topic or tagline]. I'm [host name], and with me is [co-host name]. Today, we'll be talking about [episode topic] with our special guest, [guest name].
What should my first podcast say?
How to structure your intro episodeAddress your audience, welcome them to the show.Introduce yourself as the host of the show. Include your name. ... Mention what inspired you to start your podcast. ... Talk about the release schedule. ... Explain the podcast's structure. ... Say goodbye and share where people can find more:
What's a podcast tagline?
A tagline is a line of text often seen accompanying a logo or title. The purpose of a tagline is to clarify a message, in most cases, a name or a title and help people connect with a brand. For podcasts, a tagline helps clarify a show's title and identify what listeners can expect from a show.
What makes a good podcast description?
The best podcast descriptions are written for humans. They are clear, succinct, self-explanatory, and they avoid unnecessary repetition. While there's no maximum podcast description length (Apple allows up to 4,000 characters), they won't display everything you pack in there.
Does having a podcast pay?
Sponsorships are the most common way podcasters make money. This is when the podcast promotes the sponsor during the show. You probably hear your favorite shows plug their advertisers a few times in every episode. How much you earn from a sponsor depends on the number of downloads your episodes earn.
How often should you publish your podcast?
Weekly. A weekly podcast publishing frequency is great if you're covering trending news or have an interview-style or storytelling-type podcast. Publishing on a weekly basis is perfect for episodes over 30 minutes because it allows your fans time to actually listen to your episode and get excited about the next one.
What is the ideal podcast length?
The length of your podcast also depends on your subject, industry or genre. It could be that around 15-20 minutes perfect for your listeners. But maybe your specific audience wants more in-depth, exploratory information; in which case, 45-90 minutes would provide more value.
How to script a podcast?
3. Co-Host show podcast script 1 Interrupting one another. (“This is important and I want to mention it before you move on.”) 2 Making the same argument your co-host made a moment ago. 3 Talking so long people forget your co-host is on the show. 4 Transitioning abruptly from one point to another.
Why do podcasts need scripts?
Writing a podcast script is a key way to ensure your audio is clear, tight, and valuable for your listeners. You don’t have to write out every word you intend to say, but it’s important to have notes for each episode to keep you on track, especially if you’re new to podcasting.
What is the biggest challenge of writing a podcast script?
The biggest challenge of writing a podcast script is keeping it conversational. If you aren’t careful, reading a podcast script can lead to a flat, monotone delivery. A lot of podcasters find it useful to speak their script (like a rehearsal for their recording) with a speech-to-text tool open to dictate their words.
What are the notes in a podcast script?
These are notes within your script that indicate pauses, emphasis, laughs, sighs, and other dramatic effects. These elements breathe life into your podcast script so it feels natural.
What is podcasting medium?
Podcasting is an audio medium, which means our audience doesn’t have any visual cues. If you refer to something, like an image, person, or video, make sure to describe it well so your listeners can picture it in their mind. Your descriptions should be detailed and vibrant.
Can you edit a podcast script before recording?
Allow for some riffing. Just because you write a podcast script before your recording doesn’t mean you are bound to it. It’s quite alright to go off script during your recording if you think of something important or valuable on the spot. If you decide you don’t like it, you can always edit it out later.
Is a good pace good for podcasts?
A good pace is not too fast and not too slow. There shouldn’t be any long, unexplained pauses. And there shouldn’t be any moments where you talk too fast to be understood. Use segments and transitions to keep your podcast script organized and help listeners understand where they are in your episode.
What is a good starting point for a podcast?
Option 1: The Word-By-Word Podcast Script. A common starting point for fledgling podcasters is word-for-word script ing. That means you create a traditional, fully-fledged, word-by-word script which you then read out in full. This can be a good way to ensure that you cover everything you need.
Can you read a script?
That's not always the case, though: some people can read a script and manage to make it sound really natural. There's also a skill to writing more like you speak, so when you write your script, you put it together in a speaking tone. When you come to read it, word-for-word, it'll still sound conversational.
Can you include everything in a script?
You can include everything here, point by point, including almost as much as a full script. It's not word-for-word, but you'd have pretty much all the information you require. This is a good compromise between writing a full script and doing it on the fly.
Do podcasters write out every word?
Some podcasters write out every word, others outline. Learn what podcast scripting method is right for you with these techniques. Podcast scripting is a really personal thing. I know successful hosts that script their whole show, word for word. And I know other hosts that write down the show title and nothing else, ad-libbing from there.
What is the level of scripting in podcasts?
Some podcasts are not about presenting information, but rather telling compelling stories and entertaining listeners. For podcasts in this genre, a moderate level of scripting strikes the right balance between overly stiff narration and directionless rambling.
How long is an informational podcast?
It can be long-form (anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes) or quite short (5 to 20 minutes) depending on the content.
What are some examples of informational podcasts?
Examples of informational podcasts include RadioLab, TED Radio Hour, and Stuff You Should Know.
How many people listen to podcasts?
More than half the population of the U.S. has listened to at least one podcast in their lifetime, and nearly one out of three listen to at least one podcast every month, according to The New York Times.
BBC radio drama script format
While podcasts are their own genre, it makes sense to look at radio drama scripts from the BBC since they are a well-established medium that has been around for nearly 100 years. (The very first radio drama commissioned by the BBC was A Comedy Of Danger, by Richard Hughes, which aired in January of 1924).
How to format a podcast script like a movie screenplay
Film is a visual medium. That's why screenwriters format film scripts to include visual descriptions. Podcasts and radio plays only focus on what the audience can hear. But that doesn’t mean you can’t write a podcast script in screenwriting software such as Final Draft.
