writing a podcast

^{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 to go about starting a podcast?

• Choose a topic you’re passionate about and you’ll stick to
• Research your target audience to come up with a plan for your show
• Decide on your podcast title, description, and artwork
• Buy and setup your equipment
• Prepare for recording your first episode
• Record your first episode
• Edit and publish the episode
• Launch and promote your podcast to the world!

How to write a great introduction podcast?

What Should I Include in my Podcast Intro?

• Your name. Doesn't need to be your full name, could even be a nickname. ...
• What is the podcast called? You might assume they already know this, but they might be working through a huge playlist of new podcasts they're trying out.
• Who is the podcast for? ...
• What is the overall theme of the podcast? ...

How do you write a podcast?

• List the host (s) of the podcast episode as the author. ...
• Provide the specific date on which the podcast episode first aired.
• Provide the episode number after the episode title in parentheses. ...
• Specify the type of podcast episode in square brackets, for example: [Audio podcast episode], [Video podcast episode].

More items...

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 do you start writing a podcast?

Feel free to get out a notebook or a whiteboard so you can start planning your podcast like a pro.Choose A Topic. ... Pick A Co-host (optional) ... Choose A Name. ... Show Format. ... Create Cover Art. ... Get A Professional Intro (Optional) ... Choose Intro Music. ... Get A Microphone.More items...•

How do you structure a podcast?

How to Plan Podcast Episode Structure in 10 Easy StepsPlan for the length of your episodes.Have a theme for an episode.Use three-acts for engaging podcast episode structure.Plan podcast episode pacing.Introduction, back sell and greet the audience.Raise some early questions you want to address.More items...

How much money do you need to start a podcast?

In fact, if you already have a computer and you're operating on a shoestring budget, you can record, edit, and launch a podcast for less than $200. On the other hand, if you want to use higher-end equipment, starting a podcast can cost a few thousand dollars.

How much money can you make for a podcast?

As an estimate, if your podcast has about 10,000 downloads per episode, you can expect to make between $500 – $900 per episode in affiliate sales.

What are the three types of podcast?

Panel. Nonfiction narrative story-telling. Fictional story-telling. Hybrid.

How long should podcasts be?

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.

Should I film my podcast?

If you film a video podcast, you'll have extra footage you can cut into short, sharable segments. You'll also have behind-the-scenes content to share. Creating variety in your marketing can increase engagement and keep people interested. Another benefit of doing a video show is that you can do a live recording.

How much does it cost to put a podcast on Spotify?

Podcasters will be able to select one of three price tiers for subscriptions through Spotify: $2.99, $4.99 or $7.99 per month. “We felt like rather than put the burden on creators [to set pricing], we should make a recommendation on what we feel are strong price points,” said Mignano.

Do podcasts make money?

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.

Do podcasts get paid on Spotify?

Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts pay out for streams, but the payout tends to be very low. Podcast sponsorships are one way, but for new podcasts, the likelihood of finding a high-paying sponsorship is slim unless you're already a well-established figure.

Do podcasts on Spotify make money?

The short answer is: No. Spotify does not pay for podcasts, but fret not! We have good news for you: There are many ways to monetize a Spotify podcast. You can make money on your podcasts through sponsorships, affiliate programs, ads, coaching, and more.

Can you make a living off a podcast?

Do podcasts make money? Of course they do! Big names are getting large amounts of listeners and large amounts of ad revenue in return. According to AdvertiseCast, average 30-second CPM (cost per 1K listeners) rates are $18, while 60-second CPMs are $25.

What is a podcast script?

A podcast script is meant to structure the ideas of any given podcast episode and ensure that a clear, concise narrative is conveyed to the audience. It’s not enough to know what a podcast script is or why you need one to make a good podcast. Knowing how to craft a podcast script that strikes the right chord with your audience is key ...

Why is a podcast cohesive?

A cohesive narrative is the most important part of a podcast. Without it, your audience won't be able to form an emotional connection with the information you want to convey.

What are the three acts of a podcast?

A podcast episode, like any narrative medium, can be broken down into three “acts” that serve to capture your listeners: the inciting incident, the midpoint, and the resolution. This structure is one of the most basic in storytelling.

What is the midpoint of a podcast?

The midpoint is where a podcast shifts from reacting to the problem to taking active steps towards fixing it. This usually involves raising the stakes by highlighting an attempt to solve the issue, most often met with failure.

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.

What is the point of a podcast?

The whole point of a podcast is that people listen to it, so give them a reason to click on one of your episodes. Make it clear to people what they will get from listening to your show. If you look on any podcast directory you will see shows with titles like “How To…”, “Five Tips For…” etc.

What is a podcast host?

Media or Podcast hosts are services that store your audio and allow your listeners to listen, download, and subscribe to your podcast. One common misconception when learning how to start a podcast is that you upload your podcast to places like iTunes. This actually isn’t the case.

How many episodes of a season of podcast?

When you start a seasonal podcast, each season will usually have a theme. You might create episodes based on that theme or topic for 6-12 episodes, then have a break. After a month or two, you’ll launch a new season (with another theme/topic) and repeat the process.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.