Imagine you are about to publish your first podcast episode. You have worked out all the technicalities and are eager to share them with the world. But before you hit the publish button, you need to pause as you have forgotten one of the main component: show notes. Now you might say, “I’ll just write it somewhere and get it done.”

However, if you’re not taking the time to optimize your podcast show notes, you could be doing yourself and your listeners a major disservice. 

What are podcast show notes?

Podcast show notes are a comprehensive write-up of what happens during an episode of your podcast. They vary in length and content but usually include all or some of the following elements:

1.       A search-optimized title to make sure your podcast is easily discoverable.

2.       A detailed summary of topics discussed in the show (100-200 words max).

3.       A timestamped list of main points for easy episode navigation.

4.       Links to additional resources mentioned in your show.

5.       One or more calls to action (CTAs) encouraging readers to listen to, subscribe to, or sponsor the podcast.

Why Are Podcast Show Notes Important?

Podcast show notes, sometimes referred to as episode descriptions, serve as the accompanying text for each episode. They give listeners an overview of what they’re about to hear. Still, they are more than just a summary. Effective podcast show notes may include guest bios, cast and crew details, content warnings, links to sources, and any other information that helps with the listener experience. Many podcasters also include a full transcript, which falls under best practices for SEO.

Beyond informing listeners, podcast show notes help your show to get discovered online. They allow search engines to better categorize your podcast and improve its visibility. They also help you build trust with your audience by offering transparency about your content and sources. Your auditory brand identity is crucial, and show notes extend your branding further by reinforcing your message.

Best practices to create great podcast show notes

Now that you know what podcast show notes are, it’s time to learn what they should include and how to write them. Let’s start with the best practices: 

Catch your reader's attention with a hook

Open your show notes with a hook. The first sentence will probably be the only one a casual listener reads, so make sure it’s catchy enough to draw them in and make them want to read more or click to listen.

For example, you can add a controversial statement, a powerful quote from your episode, or a thought-provoking question that sparks curiosity.

Include all resources and links

Make sure to include all resources you've mentioned during the episode. Add a list of external links (pointing to resources, references etc.) and internal links (pointing to your podcast, website, etc.). This can include:

1.       Visuals, videos, graphs, and statistics

2.       Any links to products or tools you mentioned

3.       Credits or research links

This way, you're providing your listeners with a one-stop shop to find everything you've talked about in your show. And you're also giving credit where it's due. For example, if you've played an audio or video clip in your recording, add a link to its source to tell listeners who originally created it!

Citing reliable sources to back up any claims in the episode also boosts the authority and credibility of your podcast.

If your list of resources becomes too long, it might be better to add it at the end of your show notes to keep things clean and uncluttered.

Summarize

When you summarize the main points of the episode, make sure you're not giving too much away. Include the main topics that listeners might search for to entice them to listen, but don't reveal so much that they don't feel the need to tune in.

Follow this same tip even when you’re writing the bio of your podcast guest(s). Tell only what’s necessary to demonstrate their expertise and convince audiences of the value of listening to that episode. You don’t want to give away what your interviewee will say on your show!

SEO Optimization

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a set of practices that make your content more discoverable by search engines like Google. Including some SEO best practices will help your podcast episodes appear in the search results of people looking for relevant topics.

Add timestamps to your episode summaries

Adding time codes to the list of your main points helps readers navigate long-form podcast show notes, especially if they're clickable.

It helps listeners understand in more detail what that episode is about, and if there are specific moments they want to listen to. This feature becomes particularly valuable for lengthy episodes that stretch into hours. Rather than scaring potential people away, timestamps let them tune in to the exact moments that interest them

Include your podcast transcript

Once your transcript is edited to create a copy that’s easy to read, you can add it to your show notes to boost your SEO efforts.

A good transcript can also increase accessibility to people who are hard of hearing or have difficulties understanding your language. While some potential listeners might just read the transcript rather than listen, including a transcript may well convert them to future listeners when they realize the value of your content.

CTAs

Never underestimate the power of an effective call to action (CTA)! Sometimes people simply forget to like or rate an episode after listening to it, even if they had the best intentions. Include links for your audience to listen, rate, and review the episode on all main podcast platforms. Also include links to your social media, newsletter, Patreon, or other monetization sites if relevant.

Final Thoughts

Writing great podcast show notes can greatly boost your listener numbers by providing extra value to your audience and increasing search traffic. So the next time you want to hit the “Publish” button, be sure to prepare your podcast show notes before, and the podcast SEO will surely thank you.