Show notes are an integral part of podcasting that can enhance the listener experience, improve discoverability, and also encourage engagement. Well-crafted show notes act as a bridge between your podcast episodes and your audience, providing a snapshot of your content while inviting them to dive deeper. Here are some actionable tips on how to write show notes for a podcast – and good ones!
Tips for writing effective show notes
1. Keep it concise but informative
Your podcast show notes should strike a balance between brevity and detail. So, avoid overwhelming your audience with long paragraphs of text, but ensure you include enough information to provide value.
How to write show notes for a podcast that are concise and informative?
Summarise the episode’s key takeaways, highlighting the most compelling points or insights discussed. Think of your show notes as a teaser – they should entice readers to listen to the full episode.
Example:
Instead of writing,
“In this episode, we discuss various aspects of social media marketing, including strategies for engagement, content creation tips, and analytics tools,”
try something like,
“Discover actionable social media marketing tips: from boosting engagement to mastering analytics.”
Bonus tip: Another thing to add here is that it’s always a good idea to speak to the listener directly and to tell them what they will find out.
2. Use bullet points or headers
Formatting matters. Notice how this blog uses headings and shorter paragraphs. And also, how it’s easy on the eyes – and how it looks organized.
Many podcast listeners are busy and prefer to skim show notes quickly to see if an episode interests them.
So, how to write show notes for a podcast that are well-formatted?
Break up your text with headers, bullet points, or numbered lists to make it more digestible. Clear formatting not only improves readability but also highlights key information, ensuring your audience doesn’t miss important details.
Example Format:
- Episode highlights: Key topics covered
- Guest info: Brief introduction to your guest (if applicable)
- Takeaways: Actionable tips or insights
- Resources mentioned: Links to tools, books, or websites discussed
3. Include a CTA (call-to-action)
Every piece of your podcast content, including your show notes, should include a call-to-action section. Whether it’s encouraging your audience to subscribe, leave a review, follow you on social media, or visit your website, make it easy for them to take the next step. A clear and compelling CTA can help you build a loyal listener base and drive traffic to your other platforms.
How to write show notes for a podcast with a good CTA?
Place your CTA just after the takeaways of your episode. The listener will likely respond to it if they thought your takeaways were interesting enough.
Example CTAs:
- “Loved this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review!”
- “Visit [yourwebsite.com] for more tips and resources.”
- “Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes updates.”
4. Optimise for keywords
Show notes are an excellent opportunity to improve your podcast’s search engine optimization (SEO). This is a really important aspect of show notes that you always have to have in mind. Your end goal is to be easily found, isn’t it?
How to write show notes for a podcast that are SEO-optimized?
Think about what your target audience is searching for and incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your text. This will make it easier for potential listeners to find your podcast when they search for topics you cover.
For example, if your episode is about “time management for entrepreneurs,” include keywords like “time management tips,” “efficiency hacks,” and “productivity for business owners” in your show notes.
Tip: Remember not to overstuff keywords – keep the writing natural and user-friendly.
5. Provide links and resources
Listeners often appreciate quick access to the resources you mention in your episodes. That’s why having all those in one section of your show notes will make it extra helpful.
So, naturally, when it comes to how to write show notes for a podcast that are a great resource for your listeners, the advice would be the following:
Include links to articles, tools, or books discussed, as well as your guest’s social media handles or websites. Use a clear heading to indicate that all the key links are there. This not only adds value but also encourages further engagement.
6. Double-check before publishing
Finally, make sure your show notes are error-free. Typos, grammatical errors, or broken links can all show a lack of professionalism and deter potential listeners.
How to write show notes for a podcast that are error-free?
Firstly, take the time to write your show notes. Then, also don’t skimp on reviewing your notes. This means that after you finish them, you’ll re-read them and see if all the text flows. After that, scan for errors, and correct if you find any. You can do this manually, or alternatively, use something like Quillbot to check them for you. Or you can ask someone else to proofread them before publishing.
Then, go through all the links and click them to see if they lead to the right places.
Conclusion
Effective show notes are more than just a summary of your podcast episodes. They’re a powerful tool to attract new listeners, engage your audience, and enhance your podcast’s overall impact. By keeping your notes concise yet informative, formatting them for readability, including CTAs, and optimizing for keywords, you can create show notes that work as hard as you do. Get in touch with us if you’d like to free up your time, and let us do all of the above for you.