You may think podcasting is just talking into a microphone, but a lot of planning goes into recording a quality episode. If you don’t prepare any notes, you might end up fumbling for words during your show and having to redo the entire thing.
A proper podcast script will help you avoid repetition and stay on track during the episode. Additionally, it can help you remember important talking points. A little pre-planning can save you time and effort in the long run.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of podcast scripting. We’ll also show you how to write your script and how to prepare for a podcast interview. Let’s get started!
Why You Need a Script for Your Podcast
Writing a script for podcast episodes offers several benefits. First and foremost, it helps you stay on topic. It is easy to get off track and start talking about something else during the episode. Although this isn’t inherently a bad thing, it can lead to unexpected results.
In addition, podcasting scripts can help you create a more balanced episode with better flow and pacing. Scripting also gives you an opportunity to avoid repetition and make better use of your time.
Lastly, a script can help you ensure that you cover all topics, while also reinforcing your knowledge of those subjects. Without one, you may go off on a tangent and leave out important information. On the other hand, when you plan your podcast in advance, you have a chance to identify and research topics that are new to you.
How to Write a Podcast Script (In 3 Steps)
Writing a script for a podcast doesn’t necessarily require a lot of time or energy. In some cases, a simple outline might be enough.
Let’s look at how to write a podcast script in three easy steps.
1. Create a Podcast Outline
The first step is to create a podcast outline. This will help you put your thoughts into words and come up with concrete talking points.
You may be tempted to start writing your script word for word, but chances are you will add and remove sections later on. If you think of a great sentence, you can go ahead and jot it down, but the focus at this stage should be on the big picture.
If you have a specific length in mind, creating a timeline might be helpful for planning your outline:
A flowchart is another good way to visualize how certain talking points will transition into others. Otherwise, a simple bulleted list can do the trick. Alternatively, you can use a podcast outline template.
2. Flesh Out Specific Talking Points
As mentioned earlier, a good outline can suffice as a script on its own. However, it is generally better to be overprepared than underprepared.
Once you have the main ideas down on paper, you can start fleshing out important points in more detail. You might also do some research and look for sources that can help you back up your statements.
It can be tempting to write out an entire episode word for word. However, reading out the script during the episode can make you sound unnatural. Therefore, you might want to focus on the most important parts only.
3. Use a Scripting Tool
Once you have fleshed out your episode on paper, you can use a scripting tool to turn it into a transcript. At Podcastpage.io, we offer scripting tools that you can use to write, publish, and share your scripts right from your podcast site.
Adding a transcript to your podcast is a great idea, especially if you’ve already gone through the effort of writing out a script. Transcripts are useful for visitors who are unable to listen to your podcast. Additionally, they offer a quick way to reference what you say in the video. You can even use them to boost your Search Engine Optimization (SEO) by adding keywords to the content.
Let’s look at a podcast script example on a website:
At Podcastpage.io, some of our podcast website templates include a section for show notes and transcripts. All you need to do is transfer what you’ve written to the podcast script template.
How to Prepare a Script for Podcast Interviews
Preparing a podcast interview is not much different than writing a script. You’ll still want to start by outlining what you want to discuss and building upon those ideas.
However, you’ll want to write out any questions you want to ask your guest. In addition, you could try to anticipate possible answers from them. This can help you formulate follow-up questions and create a flexible path for the interview.
Having another speaker in your episode can derail your plans. However, there are two main ways you could address this issue:
- Go with the flow and expect some deviations from your podcast script.
- Plan ahead with your interviewee and provide them with a copy of the outline.
Our Podcastpage.io templates can help you plan an interview-style episode. For instance, you can list your questions as a table of contents to give your audience an overview of the episode.
You can also create a full transcript by typing out your interviewee’s responses and adding them to the page:
Interviews are a great way to expand your reach as you get to collaborate with other podcasters. You can get their audience to listen to your podcast while introducing your listeners to other podcasts.
Additionally, you can ask your audience if they have any questions that they would like to ask your upcoming guests. This can help you increase engagement and build a community of loyal listeners.
Conclusion
Scripting might seem boring, but a good script can help improve the quality of your show. You can brainstorm ideas and talking points, then flesh them out on paper. Additionally, if you’re interviewing a guest on your show, you might want to plan your questions in advance.
To create a script for a normal episode or interview, just follow these steps:
- Brainstorm and outline potential talking points.
- Write out important questions or sections.
- Add your transcript to your podcast website.
