If you’ve already launched a podcast, then you know producing and promoting it is a time-consuming task. Luckily there are several processes and systems you can put in place in order to help save time AND continue to grow your podcast.
One of those processes is to create a podcast script that you can use over and over when it comes to preparing and recording new episodes.
But Won’t a Podcast Script Make My Podcast Sound – Scripted?
Now before you go thinking that creating a podcast script is going to make your show dry or sound way too, well, scripted, hear me out.
On average, I probably save an hour on every single episode I create by using a script template. It doesn’t make my show dry or sound scripted – in fact, a majority of my episode are free-flow. Instead, it helps me get started fast and prevents me from having to recreate the wheel every single time I hit record.
I do a topic-based podcast, but writing a podcast script can work across any format, whether it be an interview-based show, a Q&A show, a series podcast, or a panel podcast.
Let’s take a look at a few examples of podcasting scripts so you can see exactly how powerful they can be.
What a Podcast Script Template Looks Like
There are any number of ways to go about creating a podcast script template, and not every part of your episode HAS to be scripted.
For example, you might have a scripted intro and a scripted outro, but leave space in the middle to make sure you have some variety and creative freedom.
Or you might have a scripted list of questions for a podcast interview, but you go into each episode knowing that you can deviate from those questions or skip one at any time.
Topic-based Script Example
Let’s first look at a topic-based podcast example so you know what a script might look like if you’re the only one creating content for your show.
This is the exact script template I use for my podcast, Ditch Busy:
Episode Title / Topic: [enter episode title here]
Disruptive intro: [Did you know that ______?! That’s what we’re breaking down in today’s episode!] or share some stat, fact, or surprising info on the topic you’re going to discuss. This is the hook that gets them excited about what they’ll learn during the episode.
Repetitive intro: What’s up Freedom Seekers?! I’m Kate and I’m here to help you take back control of your time by cutting distractions, getting clear on your priority, and making overwhelm and thing of the past. Let’s – Ditch Busy.
Content outline: [Insert bullet points or a couple of sentences on the topic so you have a good start when you go to hit record. Make sure you have enough of an outline here to help get you started on the topic.]
Outro: Freedom Seekers, thanks so much for joining me for another episode here on Ditch Busy. Now that you know how to [insert whatever you taught them in the show and why it’s so important]! I look forward to catching you in the next episode, and until then, here’s cheers to time freedom!
Call to Action: Freedom Seekers, I absolutely love connecting with you on Instagram! Don’t forget to tag me with a shout out for today’s episode – or send me a DM if you have any feedback or topic requests! I love hearing from you. I’m @KateLErickson!
As you can see from this podcast episode template, my actual content will be far from scripted throughout; however, having a set flow to follow every single time helps me with preparing and recording my content without having to start at square one.
With this script template, I’m able to go to my list of running topic ideas, and simply start plugging in my content. And once I have some notes plugged in, all I need to do is hit record!
Interview-based Script Example
There are several podcast examples we can look at where the host uses a script for their interviews. Again, it might not be the entire episode that is scripted, but maybe the list of questions is the same every single time, regardless of who the guest is.
This was the case for the first 2,000 episodes of Entrepreneurs On Fire. John would ask each of his guests the exact same questions in order to help share their journey, including:
- Their failures,
- Their ah-ha moment, and
- How they took that ah-ha moment and turned it into success.
He also had the “lightening round”, where he’d ask every guest the same 5 questions.
This script template not only helped John produce interviews with more ease – since the research and time spent crafting each episode wasn’t super in-depth – but it also provided a lot of great data we could repurpose.
Repurposing Data Based on Your Podcast Script
Just one example of this is how we repurposed the data from one of John’s lightening round questions “What’s your top business book recommendation for Fire Nation?”
After sorting through the data from over 1,500 episodes, we created a post for our website – and eventually an email opt in – sharing the Top Business Books Recommended by Today’s Top Entrepreneurs.
This has become one the highest trafficked posts on our website, and we didn’t even need to create additional content to make it happen.
We repeated this for the Top Tools Recommended by Today’s Top Entrepreneurs, which is one of our highest converting email opt ins. Again, no need to create new content, we simply repurposed what our guests had already provided.
So you can see here that podcast scripts not only help you save time when it comes to preparing and producing your episodes, it also opens the door for powerful repurposing opportunities!
Q&A Script Example
For a podcast that has a Q&A format, you might be thinking, it’d be impossible to have a script since every question and answer will be different!
Think again.
The same way the topic and interview-based examples prove that you don’t have to script your entire episode for a template to still be incredibly useful, so will this one.
You might script your Q&A episodes by having the same intro and outro every time.
You might also script how you present the question, and the format in which you provide an answer.
For example, every time you’re about to dive into the question, maybe you say:
“And today’s questions comes from [person’s name], [person’s business], and here’s what they sent in…”
Then play the question.
And then when you go to answer the question, you might have a repetitive format or set of steps you follow, like this:
- Repeat the question in your own words
- Share a quick 2-minute story about how this particular situation has played out on your journey
- Then provide your answer
- Close out the episode by sharing a big takeaway or lesson you want your listeners to retain
- And don’t forget a call to action (CTA)!
A great CTA for a Q&A podcast would be to encourage listeners to share their biggest questions with you around the topic you’re an expert in. Then share your email address so they can reach out to you (or however you want them to send in their questions).
Remember, you don’t need to have every part of the episode scripted in order for you to benefit from using some sort of template for your show.
Other Podcast Script Examples
There are also plenty of examples of content you can script regardless of your podcast format, like:
- Your sponsor message
- Your closing remarks
- You call to action
- A teaser for a future episode
You don’t need to script every single one of these things, and maybe your podcast doesn’t even include every one of these, but they’re all great considerations when it comes to helping you save time on prep and production.
Let’s look at an example of each.
Sponsor Message
Even if you don’t have paying sponsors for your podcast yet (or maybe you never plan to have paying sponsors), YOU can be your own sponsor!
Let’s say you have a product or a service you offer to your audience. Why not promote that during your show?
Craft a 15-20 second intro or outro that introduces your audience to a product or service you’ve created specifically for them.
As an example, you might script the following sponsor message to promote your coaching services:
“If you’re looking for one-on-one mentorship as you begin to create and launch your podcast, I’ve got a great recommendation for you! Shoot me an email at Kate@EOFire.com and let’s chat! No strings attached!”
Closing Remarks
Another portion of your show you can script is your closing remarks.
As you saw in my topic-based example above, I have the same template that I follow to close out every episode. I also match this up with my outro music so that there’s exactly 10 seconds of fading music at the end of every episode.
This template makes it super simple for me to know exactly what I’m going to say, and exactly where I need to drag my music file to end the show.
Again, those closing remarks I use (or my “outro”) is as follows:
Outro: Freedom Seekers, thanks so much for joining me for another episode here on Ditch Busy. Now that you know how to [insert whatever you taught them in the show and why it’s so important]! I look forward to catching you in the next episode, and until then, here’s cheers to time freedom!
Call to Action
Your CTA is a critical part of your episode, and so it SHOULD be a part of your template or script so you don’t forget it!
It’s a great idea to have rotating calls to action, so maybe choose 2-3 offers you want to share with your audience, and rotate them every 2-3 episodes!
As an example, we have 2 free courses that we promote to our audience that eventually lead to paid products. Those courses are Free Podcast Course and Your Big Idea.
So every few episodes, John’s CTA is inviting his listeners to sign up for one of our free courses.
This helps your listeners know exactly what you want them to do next, and if you’ve done your homework and you know what your ideal listener wants and needs, then they’ll THANK YOU for sharing your CTA.
If you don’t have any products or services or courses to share with your audience just yet, no worries! A fantastic CTA is to ask your listeners to reach out to you and share their biggest takeaway from the episode.
Share your contact info and encourage them to reach out. This open door of communication will pay back tenfold when it comes to understand your listeners biggest pain points and struggles, which in turn will help you when you do go to create products and services.
Teaser For Future Show Content
Another great thing to script into your podcast template is a teaser for upcoming episodes.
There are a lot of podcasting examples of serial or season-based podcasts that will tease upcoming content at the end of every episode, like:
This is a great way to get your listeners super engaged and EXCITED for future episodes. A script for teasing future content might look something like this:
Coming up next time, we’ll explore [topic 1] and [topic 2], and you’ll discover [something they’ve been waiting to find out / figure out throughout the show up to this point]. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss a single episode!
Should You Write a Podcast Script?
As you can tell from this post, I absolutely think every podcaster should have a script or template for their podcast.
The amount of time you will save with your episode prep – not to mention your production time – will blow your mind!
And even if you don’t end up having every single part of your podcast scripted, you can still leverage a podcast script to make your life easier. What might seem like “no big deal” when it comes to your time commitment for an individual part of your podcast adds up when you’re talking about producing a weekly show.
If you found this content helpful, we’ve got so much more to share – for free! Check out our complete guide on How to Podcast. We’re so excited for your podcasting journey!
