Branded Podcasts

How to Write a Killer Podcast Script

Last updated on: 
August 1, 2022

Planning your podcast content in advance is the key to a polished show, so that's why we always encourage writing a podcast script before you hit record.

Planning your podcast script in advance is the key to a polished show. Fully improvising your episodes isn't an option if you want potential listeners to take your podcast seriously. The best way to plan is by creating killer content. Use your script as a guide to enhance the format of your show.

Here’s how you can structure your script:

  • Intro (trailer, music, topic)
  • Point # 1
  • Supporting evidence/anecdote
  • Point # 2
  • Supporting evidence/anecdote
  • Point #3
  • Supporting evidence/anecdote
  • Outro (CTA)

Use this basic script outline as a starting point and keep it generally the same between each episode for consistency purposes. Here are tips for writing a podcast script that will dramatically improve your content and attract listeners:

Be Descriptive

Keep in mind that your listeners don’t have visual cues when they’re engaging with your content. Make notes in your podcast script to highlight ways you can overcome these challenges.

If you’re using a story to illustrate a point, ensure you use descriptors so that your audience is clear on the message you’retrying to convey. For example, if you refer to an image that your audience can’t see, try painting a picture with words. When you’re sharing a video, describe the story arc to your audience. When referring to a person, bring that person to life using vibrant language.

While you don’t need to detail everything you say, simply being aware of the fact that your audience can’t see what you’re talking about, your facial expressions, or body language means you need to compensate by being descriptive.

Inject Personality

Scripts help keep your content on track, but it’s best not to include all the details of what you want to say word-for-word.Concisely outline your episodes and leave room for improvisation. Allow your personality to shine through to avoid sounding like a robot. Ensure you use natural-sounding words and everyday language. You don’t want the show to sound scripted because this can make your audience feel alienated.

Introduction and Conclusion

Certain sections of your podcast however may benefit from being scripted word for word. Your introduction and conclusion will likely be similar every time you record. This helps your show remain consistent and your audience will know what to expect in every episode. Lean on your script to avoid forgetting to include call-to-action phrases such as sharing your website or following your social channels.

Organize Your Content

Use your script to determine the pacing of your content. A good pace helps keep your audience engaged - it’s neither too fast nor too slow. Outline where you’re going to have your content segments and transitions to move into a new topic. This makes the delivery of your show smooth because you know exactly how to pivot to keep the show moving.  

You likely have an idea of the duration you want your episode to be such as 30 minutes, 40 minutes, etc. In your script outline a rough estimate of the amount of time you will spend speaking about each section of content. This helps you avoid lengthy episodes and reduce the amount of time you’ll need to spend editing your podcast to remove unnecessary content.

Creating a Podcast Script

Creating a podcast script can be extremely valuable for producing a professional show. A little planning can go a long way to ensuring your podcast brings content to life and shares your personality. A script can enhance your show format with pacing and duration in mind. Consider hiring freelancers to create a killer script for your podcast.

The Quill Team

Platform
Price
Pro’s
Con's
Anchor

Free

  • Easy to use
  • Automatically distributes your podcast to major platforms.
  • Embed media player.
  • Great if podcasting is a
    side hobby
  • Very basic editing
  • Since it’s a free tool, you don’t have full control over the monetization of your podcast.
  • Not the right platform for people taking podcasting seriously
Buzzsprout

Free for 2 hours of content per month

$12 for 3 hours per month

$18+ for 6 hours and up

  • Very user-friendly
  • Caters to both long term and beginner podcasters
  • Advanced analytics
  • Easy distribution of your episodes
  • They measure their size requirements to hours not megabytes
  • Bonus: get a free $20 Amazon gift card when you sign up for any paid hosting plan!
  • Advanced features like dynamic ad insertion need some work
Libsyn

$5/month for Monthly Storage 50mb

  • Oldest podcast hosting site.
  • Easy distribution to major platforms and great for scaling once your podcast gets bigger.
  • Hosted over 35,000 podcasts.
  • An iTunes Podcast partner.
  • Allows you to publish your podcast to specific directories.
  • Embed media player.
  • Price is based on storage
  • 50mb storage for $5 won’t be enough if you are publishing weekly so you’ll end up with a higher price point
Podbean

Unlimited audio package: $9/month

Storage space:

Unlimited

  • Great support & customer service features
  • Unlimited audio.
  • Pages are easy to customize
  • Can schedule podcast release dates.
  • Easy to use.
  • Uploads and changes to podcast titles and/or descriptions are automatic to Spotify.
  • Embed media player.
  • Simple Analytics
  • Analytics aren’t as advanced as other platforms
  • Upload and changes to podcast titles and/or descriptions take a day to change on iTunes.
  • Not an iTunes podcast partner.
  • The process to send a podcast to iTunes is more tedious. But, you will still be able to get on the platform.
Blubrry

Classic

$5/month

Monthly Storage

50mb

  • Podcast Wordpress plugin and management.
  • If you want to record a new introduction or conclusion, add in a sponsored ad or upload a new version of a podcast, it doesn't count towards your storage usage per month.
  • Blubrry allows a 25% storage overage each month
  • Prices are based on storage.
  • Usability is okay.
SimpleCast

Starting: $15/month

Recommendation: $35/month

Monthly Storage: Unlimited

  • Hosts your audio files no matter what the size!
  • Dynamic insertion for podcast ads or edits.
  • Incredibly detailed analytics including number of episodes completed and listener location tracking.
  • Embed media player.
  • Easy to use.
  • Great distribution! Easy access to all major podcast platforms.
  • Customizable podcast
    website.
  • Prices are slightly higher than other platforms, but well worth it especially if you have a branded company podcast!

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