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(By Johnny Peterson) One commonly overlooked aspect of podcasting is how each episode is structured. There is no single way to structure a podcast, it’s really up to your discretion.
However, here are eight steps for a perfectly flowing podcast:
1. The Teaser These work especially well with interview podcasts. Take a 15-30-second cut of your guest speaking during the interview and use this as the beginning of the episode. This cut should be long enough to draw the listener in with something insightful, but short enough that it creates that desire to listen more. This could be a thought-provoking line, or a funny moment during the podcast. Layer this over your intro music, and you’ve got a professional sounding introduction to a fantastic interview or podcast episode.
2. The Intro This is your time to introduce yourself and the podcast. This intro is not episode-specific, but gives an overall insight into what your podcast is about and what listeners should expect from tuning in. Since this will be in each of your podcast episodes, do your best to keep it short and sweet, ideally around 30-60 seconds. As your audience grows and listeners become more loyal, they will get the jist of your podcast. However, new listeners will appreciate the insight and gain a better idea of where your podcast will take them.
3. The Episode Intro Here you will give some more specifics of this particular episode. Explain the topic(s) for the episode. If you’re interviewing a guest, be sure to record this intro after you have the conversation – you’ll give a more concise description of the most important things you discussed during the episode. You can also use the episode intro as an opportunity to introduce your guest, their accomplishments, and why they are worthy of your listeners’ time.
4. The Disclaimer Several podcasts we work with are run by executives or employees of large companies, and it’s important to differentiate the host from their organization. Here’s an example we use for one of our biggest real estate podcasts, feel free to rip this off and use on your own podcast:
“[Host’s name] is the [ x title] at [x company]. Any views or opinions expressed on [podcast name] by [host] or their guests are solely their own, and do not reflect the opinions of [employer]. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for [real estate] or [investment] decisions.”
5. The Content This is what your listeners came for! The content should flow smoothly, transition easily from topic to topic, and be void of any noticeable errors from the host(s). The meat of the podcast should, naturally, provide useful information in an entertaining way that will leave listeners anxiously waiting for more.
6. The Wrap-Up If your listeners have made it this far, it’s time to thank them for tuning in, thank your guest for coming on, and allow them the opportunity to plug their own content. Whether it’s a book, website, or podcast, they deserve the time to specifically reach out to listeners with what they have to offer. Remember, your guest did you the courtesy of taking the time to come on your podcast, so do them the courtesy of offering even a minute to plug themselves.
7. The Outro Boom! Your music fades in, and you now thank the listeners again for being loyal followers of the podcast. Now is the time to plug your other content (blog, website, services, etc.) and give a teaser to the next episode, who the guest is, topics to be covered, and when those upcoming episodes will drop.
8. The Call To Action The CTA ties in with your outro. This is where you ask the listeners to do their part by subscribing to the podcast, leaving a (5-star) rating, or writing a quick review of the podcast. Explain that by engaging with the podcast further, your listeners will help it grow and allow others to find valuable content that your listeners already get so much from.
Congrats! You have constructed a perfectly flowing podcast. Depending on the type of content you produce for your podcast, feel free to pick and choose from these eight steps to best suit your show. Remember, there is no industry standard for constructing your podcast, but these steps are the best way to maximize the listener experience and take your podcast to the next level.
Johnny Peterson is the CEO and founder of Straight Up Podcasts, providing professional podcast services and consulting. He is also the host of the Pod Logic podcast. You can reach Johnny at Johnny@straightuppodcasts.com
Comments:
These are all great suggestions. Thank you. Dr. Z (DR-Z.net)