How do you write a podcast or radio script?

Knowing who you're talking to is one of the most important aspects of writing a podcast or radio script. What do you expect the listener to take away from the conversation? Why this conversation? Why now? Being able to answer these questions will allow you to really streamline the conversation you intend to have. For radio in particular there is power in words, it's important to also focus on the power or critical words for the conversation that can push the discussion forward. A simple bullet-point synopsis will help keep you on track. Remember we are having conversations. Find a way to make it as if you are talking to a friend, telling them a story, or catching up with them. Bring the listener into your "circle."

If you don't know your audience or why you are creating the episode, you will be lost. For solo episodes, I start with a thesis then outline the script with bullet points and sub points. All of it must tie back to the thesis or I delete the thought. At the same time, I keep the thesis focused on my core audience--no random subjects or ideas which will leave my listeners scratching their heads. Generally, my goal is for the listener to walk away with one action steps, which fits with the thesis. Keeping it simple, clear, and consistent will make it easier for them to take action.

When I have a guest on the podcast, I do my research in my guests' previous interviews or podcast interviews and build off topics, questions, and stories they've previously mentioned. Knowing that their audience will be tuning in, I make sure that I do my due diligence in background research and make sure I'm not asking the same basic questions and that my guest is equally engaged in my curiosity in sharing more of their story and relating that to what my audience expects through the common themes and topics my podcast has to offer.

One thing I've found helpful is to get straight to the point; After listening to many other podcasters I realised that giving the listener what they came for right away is now a prerequisite. In this way - even if my script is leading up to something I try to write in a way that every morsel is worth consuming - even if it's and appetizer and not the main meal. Thi in addition to all the great points about Knowing your audience, having an outline and sticking to one main idea without padding!

Nearly everyone has said it already. But I think it bears repeating: Research, research, research. Also, know your audience, know your guest(s)/host(s). Also, make sure it is in your own voice. Don't be afraid to have a bit of fun.

Preparation is key, but don't mistake preparation for overwriting. Yes to structure, outlines and organisation, but less is more sometimes. Leave room for a natural delivery.

Don't be tempted to pad things out. Keep to the points you want to make and have a clear progression. Think about how you're going to maintain audience interest throughout and build to any conclusion.

Without an outline, you are guessing and having to re-invent every podcast episode. The way I outline my podcast is starting with a pertinent clip from the interview (30 seconds to 90 seconds in length). I transition into a pre-recorded 12-15 second intro with music, stating the show name, my name, and the tagline for the podcast. Next comes a pre-recorded call to action to sign up for my newsletter. I then roll into the body of the podcast. I outline the body of the podcast as follows: -guest intro -scripted questions as baseline -ask the guest for their key takeaway -ask guest to provide their call to action and contact info -thank yous and sign-off I end the episode with the recorded thank yous.

Properly segmenting your show helps you plan, organise and stay consistent. Different parts of the show will have different lengths and different feels to them such that you will find the audience engaging with the different segments on their own way. Consistency allows you to build a community that is loyal and follows the show from beginning to end. For live shows, you will find that some of the audience now depend on some segments to mark what time of day it is for them. For instance, hearing news on your show can remind them that it is lunchtime or time to start/stop another activity. A well structured show allows for good reorganisation when needed, without throwing the show off balance and keeps the audience tuned in.

Start with the end in mind. What‘s the goal of your podcast? Promoting your products and services? Then each episode promotes directly and indirectly a product or service. Align your podcast with your marketing strategy - eg when is your next launch? How can your episodes promote your launch? Only then start scripting the episode - starting with the goal. What is the meaning of the episode? Then script the summary (3 key take aways) and use this summary as a teaser for the first seconds/minute of the episode. You use these 3 take aways to structure your episode ie each takeaway gets another 3 sub facts which you explain further. Depending on the desired length of the episode you - 3x3x3 works well for about 15-20mins.

In my experience having an overview of my key messages at front of mind is crucial. Weaving this into the podcast in a conversational way is a more natural way of delivering the message and works best for me.

Here's one trick to make your writing for podcast sound conversational. Pick a friend or a colleague you trust and record a voice mail telling them about the subject you're covering in a podcast. Then, write that voicemail down and slightly edit it to make it less wordy. Here's your conversational writing style. Repeat this exercise until you are able to jump straight into writing.

Few of my podcast guests have been music artists, producers, and more in the music industry. I enjoy having their songs featured in the background, especially between topics. I ask if I have permission to use their audio, suggestions for their audio, and ensure that the audio level is under 20 dBs so it's not distracting for audience or takes attention away from the conversation.

For a talk show, using too many sound effects or playing music when your audience is supposed to be listening in is not a good thing. Too many sound effects will confuse the audience and make the lose interest, whereas using sound effects reasonably can help remind new listeners of what show/podcast their listening to. Ideally, sound effects are more useful at the beginning and end of shows, and also in between when there are commercials/ads. If you’re using music to signify a break, it must be the right amount. If music is the main deliverable on the show, it must flow consistently without too many interruptions because remember that if you have ad breaks, that is enough interruption. You want to keep your listeners tuned in.

In my more than 15 years of sound production, I've found out that choosing the right background music can enhance the content of the podcast. Try find a nice balance of how you use the instrumentals on your podcast. There are particular instrumentals than can help carry the message into the listener thus making your podcast more effective.

If you’re often scripting for yourself, you might overlook the fact that sometimes even you can’t read what you have written. So for scripts that even others will read, everything must be clear. All words should be in full, no abbreviations, and numbers should be written in words for easy reading. Some difficult pronunciations can be broken down into parts for easy reading. You can use block letters to create emphasis, and also increase the font size of the overall document and space it out for clarity.

As someone who is just starting out on that journey I find writing and revisiting what has been written gives time for reflective editing. Something I found really important is that it helps to ensure the content is written in the way you actually intend for it to be interpreted by the listener. I find interweaving stories in the text so the message is aligned with the interpretation or as close as possible.

Very important. Proofreading helps identify mistakes, confirm any corrections or changes made, and gives you confidence of having your preferred final script ready.

My BIGGEST recommendation is to do ample research on your topic and on your guest (if you have one). Too many podcasters try to improvise and wing it. And your audience will quickly realize that they aren't getting a whole lot of valuable information from unprepared rambling. Think of your podcast like a professor's lecture. You (or your guest) need to be super well prepared to teach and entertain your audience. A great way to conduct research is to break your show up into a few segments and prepare clips, quotes, posts, or other materials for your guest to respond/react to. Another great way to prepare is to review content your guest has created themselves and bring this up discuss in more detail.

In the intro I like to start with the most compelling audio bite of the entire episode. I think of an intro as a mini sizzle, something should grab a listener's attention and convince them they want to continue.

Radio or podcast script is not a text read out loud, it's a script for a media product. So make sure you use maximum of different variety of sound clips. Voiceover and dialogue are just two types of sounds, but beginners always underrate natural sounds, ambience, and music. Those are what you can't include in a written text and that's why you've reached to radio or podcast. Hence, embrace all variety of sounds and make your script shine!

To write a podcast or radio script: 1) Define your audience and purpose. 2) Plan content and create a logical flow. 3) Start with a captivating introduction. 4) Structure your script with clear headings. 5) Write conversationally and avoid jargon. 6) Include engaging elements like storytelling or audio clips. 7) Use transitions between segments. 8) Prepare questions for interviews or guest contributions. 9) Add cues for sound effects or music. 10) Conclude effectively with a call to action or teaser. Practice reading aloud for a natural flow.