Any podcast that made you want to subscribe instantly had one thing in common — an impactful script that captivated you. Podcast scripts are the key to gaining your target audience’s attention and being seen as a valuable source of information.
While getting your podcast recorded professionally at St. Louis recording studios is a part of the process, pairing it with a good script will ensure your audience stops what they are doing and listens to you. However, scriptwriting can be daunting if you do not know where and how to start. In fact, due to this, many aspiring podcasts have an excellent run for the initial period but later plummet.
If you are planning on starting a podcast, here are a few scripting tips to take care of:
- Engaging intro
Your podcast’s intro is the first thing people will hear when they tune into it; this is your golden opportunity to convert them into active listeners. A conclusive intro tells the listeners what they should expect from the podcast about the host and the range of topics to be covered. It is crucial not to exaggerate the intro and leave room for speculation and suspense. If you have sponsors for your podcast, include their brand name in a natural way that is not overly sales-oriented.
- Keep it short
Your listener’s attention span is decreasing with time, and keeping them engaged and invested at all times is essential. Overly long podcasts will have listeners drop off in the middle, who may not be interested in returning. If you are discussing an extensive topic, consider covering it over multiple episodes. It will also allow your listeners to digest information for long-term retention. Additionally, make videos by taking tidbits of your podcast and putting them on social media to attract more listeners.
- Type of script
Your script must align with the type of podcast you are hosting and have a flow that supports the format. For instance,
- Interview style: These types of podcasts involve having a guest or a co-host who gets interviewed. Such podcasts are moderately scripted, and bullet points and headers are used to navigate the conversation. The intro and outro for these episodes should emphasize the host’s credibility.
- Monologue: Also known as solo-cast, these podcasts only have one person running the whole show. The format best suits comedians, anchors, narrative storytellers, and new reporters. The episodes are fully scripted and often have written prompts.
- Conversational: A panel of hosts discussing a topic and sharing their opinions and views. These episodes usually do not have a script, but there are header prompts to keep the conversation going.
- Ask questions to spark curiosity.
Keeping your listeners engaged and hooked to the podcast is essential to ensuring they stay till the end. Asking questions, stating facts, and busting myths are a few ways to achieve this. However, you must spend extensive time researching the topic you will be interviewing/talking about so that when the podcast recording starts, you know how things will unfold and have something valuable to say or add to the conversation.
Also, as a podcast can be posted on multiple channels, citing your sources will add more credibility and authority to your podcast. You can leave your listeners with a cliffhanger, fueling their curiosity and tempting them to return for the next episode.
- Avoid jargon
Using complex words and complicated sentences will confuse your audience and make it challenging for them to understand what you are trying to convey. Due to this, it is crucial to revise and edit your podcast script multiple times so you are left with the most simple and engaging version. Writing a script that even 10-year-olds can understand is key.
Bottomline
A lot goes into creating a podcast that stays with people and makes them want to return for more. The script is a core aspect that needs careful consideration and strategic planning to ensure your listeners are excited for new episodes to come and stay till the end to grasp every valuable detail your podcast offers. Think from a listener’s perspective while you edit, and you will end up with a script that everyone will love!
