With an estimated 25.2 million podcast listeners in the UK, it’s essential that you make sure your podcast is the best of the best. Creating stellar show notes is one way to show you’re serious about your podcast. Learning Do can be challenging if you’re new to podcasting, but don’t worry—everything you need to know is in this guide!
Show notes can add great value to your podcast by allowing you to engage with your audience, share key points and resources, and highlight guest appearances.
Keep reading this step-by-step guide to learn more. We’ll cover everything from the basics, like structuring your show notes to how to optimize your show notes for search engines and how to engage your listeners.
Podcast show notes are a written companion to a podcast episode, providing a summary, key points, and additional resources to enhance the listener’s experience. They are typically hosted on a podcast’s website and linked to episode descriptions in directories like Apple Podcasts.
Podcast show notes serve as a central information hub for episodes, offering a written summary, time-coded outline, guest information, resources, audio transcript links, and calls to action. By creating comprehensive show notes, you can provide your audience with valuable content that complements your podcast episode and encourages further engagement.
Why Write Podcast Show Notes?
Podcast show notes have many benefits for increasing podcast engagement and growth. They provide valuable information and links to resources mentioned in the podcast episode, communicate with Google, and aid in SEO. Including an episode transcript can further help accessibility and engagement by providing the audience with a comprehensive written record of the episode.
Here are the top four benefits of why you should have podcast show notes for every episode:
1. Share Information and Links to Resources
Crafting your own show notes is a crucial yet time-consuming task for podcasters. Show notes are a great way to share information and links to resources with your listeners. Include relevant links to products or material mentioned in the podcast episode. This could include social media links, contact information, links to books, other podcasts, products, your guest’s promotional material, and more.
You can also incorporate additional information about your episode. For example, you can include a guest bio that shows your guest’s experiences and achievements. You could also add information on the topic of your episode, such as relevant statistics and data.
2. Reach New Audiences
Optimized show notes can reach a wider audience by catching the attention of potential listeners and making them want to listen to your episode. Podcast show notes can help convert traffic from your website into podcast listeners, growing your audience base and boosting your subscribers. The more detailed and intriguing your show notes are, the more likely readers are to click play on your episode and even listen to previous episodes.
A podcast summary, on the other hand, is a concise, one-paragraph description intended for podcast platforms with limited text space. It provides key episode insights quickly to potential listeners.
3. Search Engine Optimization
Implementing search engine optimization techniques into your show notes will boost your podcast's SEO, giving you higher visibility in search engines. Simple techniques, such as adding a memorable quote, using SEO keywords, and including contact information, can boost your SEO.
Show notes are an excellent tool for boosting your show's SEO, allowing you to reach a wider audience and attract new guests.
4. Promote Your Previous Episodes
Show notes can be used to promote your previous podcast episodes. You can add links to more episodes or bonus content in the podcast description for your listeners. Including links to other podcast content and episodes is a great way to promote your own podcast content and encourage potential listeners to listen to content they might find interesting.
How to Write Podcast Show Notes: Step-by-Step
Learning how to write podcast show notes doesn't have to be a hard task. Follow these simple steps to get the basics down on crafting the perfect podcast description for your episodes.
Step 1: SEO Episode Title
Optimize your episode title to rank higher in search engines. Research keywords and implement them into your title, summary, and description. You can find keywords by searching on Google, using tools like Semrush, and researching your competitors.
Step 2: Episode Description
The podcast description for your podcast should contain a concise podcast summary of your episode. Keep it short and to the point, make it clear to the reader why they should listen to the episode and what they can gain from it.
For example, use your episode description to highlight your guest’s knowledge and expertise on a subject, describe how the episode’s contents can better the listener’s life, or show how your episode can help them learn something new.
Step 3: Episode Content & Time Stamps
Create a few bullet points highlighting the main topics of interest. Episode summaries with timestamps can guide listeners through the episode, making it easier to find and engage with specific moments of interest. For example:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:15:10] How Kyle Built His First Business
[00:32:52] Learning From Mistakes and Overcoming Challenges
[00:43:32] Creating Content and Social Media Marketing
[00:51:11] 4 Steps to Success
[01:03:33] Highlights
[01:05:42] Outro
Step 4: Guest Bios
Create a short bio to introduce your guest. It should be no more than 75 words. Highlight their key achievements and what they bring to the episode.
For example: Nicolae Bogdan Bratis is the CEO and the creator of Saspod. Not only is he a podcast visionary, but he's also a talented musician. With a rich history of music performance and a love for audio, he's paved the way for Saspod, bringing his creativity and passion to each project and venture.
Step 5: Memorable Quotes
Include key quotes from your guests in your show notes. This could be a list of quotes or one or two key moments from your conversation. Including quotes from your podcast guests in your podcast show notes gives the reader insight into the content of your episode, which can often make them excited to listen!
Step 6: Affiliate Links
Affiliate links are a great way to monetize your podcast and start to make money podcasting. Including affiliate links in your show notes can increase your revenue, allowing you to keep creating your content!
Use affiliate links when linking to products mentioned in the show, or even use links to the equipment you record your podcast with.
Step 7: Resources For Listeners
Include resource links for your listeners. Link to resources mentioned in the podcast, like books, TV shows, educational resources, and more. The resources will change depending on the topic of your episode, so make sure to tailor them to suit the content of your episode.
Step 8: Additional Resources
Additional resources can include links to resources that aren't mentioned in your podcast episode. This could include links to the podcast host's material, such as books or YouTube channels. It could also include relevant resources on the discussed topic, like links to books, educational resources, products, etc.
Step 9: Social Media Accounts
Remember to include links to all of your social media accounts, as well as your guests! Doing this will let listeners follow you on socials and keep up to date with all your latest podcast marketing and news online.
Step 10: Calls To Action
Podcast show notes should include calls to follow, like, subscribe, and stay up-to-date with the latest podcast news. A successful podcast relies on a fanbase that tunes in week after week. Make sure this happens by writing strong calls to action that include your podcast title, where to listen, and relevant keywords.
Step 11: Podcast Listening Apps
Finally, include links to your podcast on listening apps and platforms. Keep this section short and sweet; providing the platform name and a link to your episode is ideal for optimizing your content for visibility in search engines and makes it easy for viewers to navigate to your podcast.
Podcast Show Notes Templates
Using a podcast show notes template can help you streamline the writing process and ensure that your show notes are consistent and engaging. Here are a few examples of podcast show notes templates:
The “Straight to the point” template: This template is ideal for podcasts because of its straightforward, informative style. It includes a brief summary, key points, and relevant links.
The “Storyteller” template: This template is perfect for podcasts with a more narrative style. It includes a hook, a brief summary, and relevant links.
The “Educational” template: This template is ideal for podcasts with an educational focus. It includes a brief summary, key points, and relevant links to additional resources.
Using these templates, you can create structured and engaging show notes that reflect the style and content of your podcast.
Tips for Speeding Up the Writing Process
Writing podcast show notes can be a time-consuming process. When learning how to write podcast show notes, use these tips to help you speed up the writing process:
Use a template: Create a template that you can reuse for each episode, including the main sections and formatting.
Write as you go: Take notes during the recording process, including key points, quotes, and relevant links.
Use a writing tool: Consider using a writing tool, such as a text editor or a note-taking app, to help you organize your thoughts and streamline the writing process.
Outsource: If you’re short on time, consider outsourcing your podcast show notes to a freelance writer, a virtual assistant, or us at Saspod! SEO friendly show notes are one of many podcast editing services we offer!
By implementing these tips, you can make the process of writing podcast show notes more efficient and manageable, allowing you to focus on creating great content for your listeners.
Saspod's One-Stop Podcast Solution
Are you seeking a simple and straightforward answer to all your podcast questions? Get in touch with our team today. We can assist with everything from choosing the right equipment to recording your episode and creating show notes and marketing material for your podcast. Save yourself time from learning how to write podcast show notes and get us to craft the perfect podcast description for every episode!
Contact us to book a free consultation and make your podcast dreams a reality!
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