How to Write Podcast Show Notes
A. Title & Hook:
Start your show notes with your episode title and a hook that entices potential listeners to tune in to the episode. You want to create enough curiosity that will make them want to close the loop by listening.
B. Episode Summary:
A succinct summary will help people who are skimming your content make a quick decision about whether they want to listen to this episode or not. This will help you qualify the right listeners for your episode.
C. Key Takeaways:
Including key takeaways in bullet points will provide a glimpse into the valuable insights from the episode and give your prospective listeners a reason to listen.
D: Detailed Points:
Consider including more detailed summaries of the key points you cover in the episode. This will capture audiences who prefer to read rather than listen and also help enhance discoverability and SEO.
E: Timestamps or Chapters
Include timestamps or chapters that indicate when specific topics are discussed during the episode. This will help listeners navigate directly to the content they are most interested in so they get immediate value.
F: Links to Resources:
If you or your guests mention any resources, such as books, articles, websites, or hosting sites, include relevant links in your show notes. This enables listeners to easily access and explore the recommended resources, enhancing their engagement and providing additional value beyond the audio experience.
G. Call to Action(s):
Incorporate a call to action (CTA) in your show notes to encourage your audience to take specific actions. This could include subscribing to your podcast, leaving a review, visiting your website, joining a mailing list, or participating in a giveaway or contest. CTAs help you deepen the connection with your audience and encourage them to take the next step.
H. Links to Back Catalog Episodes:
Promote your previous episodes by linking to relevant back catalogue episodes in your show notes. This encourages listeners to explore more of your content and discover episodes they might have missed. It also helps to create a cohesive podcast experience where listeners can easily navigate between episodes on related topics.
I. Transcript:
Consider including a transcript of the episode in your show notes. Transcripts provide accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments and also serve as a searchable text for search engines. Transcripts can significantly improve your podcast’s SEO and make your content more discoverable to a wider audience.
If this sounds like a lot of work, consider using an AI-powered tool like Capsho. Capsho will create draft show notes for you and give you the flexibility to make them as short or as long as you like.
The best part is it will all be based on the podcast episode file you upload and it will create all the other marketing assets you need to market and grow your podcast.