Podcasting is not as simple as it seems. It is more than just two people talking and talking about random things. A podcast host has to work on many things to make his episode engaging and successful. These include planning, drafting questions, researching the topics, and many more. Every factor needs the right strategy, and scriptwriting is no exception. According to research, 70% of people listen to the podcast while doing household chores, which means that script is all that matters for them. So, it is important to write an engaging script. A good script is clear, concise, and in order. This article will elaborate on the tips you can use while drafting a script.

Before we discuss the tips to write a good script, here are some of the initial questions you need to consider before podcasting:

• What is your goal for creating this podcast?
• What particular niche do you want to cover?
• How can you stand out from other podcasters in your niche?
• Who will be your targeted audience?
• What particular purpose does your audience have for listening to or watching this podcast daily?
• What resources are required to produce this podcast (time, content, software, equipment)?

Characteristics of a Good Podcast Script

Conversational

A good podcast script is always conversational and sounds natural. It should not appear like a regular script. That is because a podcast is supposed to sound friendly and casual. So you must use an impulsive tone while writing a script. To ensure that the podcast sounds spontaneous, you should be flexible about sticking to the script. Here are the following things you can do to see if it sounds natural:

• Reading out loud
• See if you stutter while reading it; if yes, you should replace complicated terms with the simpler ones.
• See if you have full control over it

Simple and Clear

The simpler a script is, the more understandable it is. Complicated terms might work in the written text as people could stop and read it repeatedly until they grasp the full meaning. However, that’s not the case with audio content. As podcasts are consumed through listening, it is important to make them as simple as possible so that people can comprehend them the first time, they listen to them. When you use complicated terms, people lose the thread of the conversation and tend to lose interest in the content.

Another reason to use a simpler language is that some podcasts are translated into other languages. To ensure that they are translated accurately, you need to be clear and concise in your writing.

Use Friendly Pronouns

Focusing on pronouns also matters when it comes to writing a script for a podcast. For instance, instead of using “I,” you can use “we” or “our.” They help you interconnect with your audience and sound more friendly. This is a great way to make your audience feel more valued and included.

Maintain a Rhythm

Maintaining a rhythm is an important element of a podcast script. To do so, you need to keep your sentences of varying lengths and variety. Such sentences tend to grab the listener’s attention.

Write as you Speak

As podcasts include informal conversation, your script should also be written in an informal tone. For instance, use a contraction, shorter sentences, and colloquial terms. You can also use acronyms; however, do this only if you are sure that people understand them.

Stages to Create a Successful Podcast

Design the Episode

It is the first step in creating a podcast. Writing a complete concept of the next episode will be the first thing you want to do before recording it. There are several elements that you will have to think about, which are as under:

• A sense of purpose
• Audience
• Context
• Statement of purpose
• Strategies
• Medium
• Arrangement
• production and testing

In-depth topic research and script drafting

To speak on any topic professionally, it is important to research it. You will want to make a rough draft of what you will be talking about and how you will arrange facts to talk about without breaking the flow.

Start gathering the samples and clear copyright.

 If you prefer to use background music, it is essential to have more than two audio samples. Make sure to remove copyright so that you can avoid any future hassle.

Record the voice portion of the podcast

Now it is time to record your voice. It is important to be fully prepared for this stage as podcasts tend to be unedited most of the time. You can have a complete script or just an outline; it depends on how things work out for you.

Mix your samples into a final podcast

Last but not the least, mix the music samples and your voice for the final product. This stage requires greater creativity. You can hire a professional for this stage if you think you can’t put them together effectively.

Pros and Cons of Writing a Script

 

Here are some of the pros and cons of writing a script:

Pros

Following are some of the benefits of writing a script:

• A script helps you stay on track and not lose the thread of the conversation.
• When you have everything written and planned out, your content tends to be more engaging and shareable.
• As you spend time planning and researching, your work demonstrates quality and value automatically. It helps you build a greater reputation in the market.
• A script assists you in reducing production time.
• A script is always there if you happen to forget something.
• It also helps you to articulate your thoughts properly.

Cons

Here are some of the drawbacks you might have to face with a script:

• A scripted podcast might seem too monotonous or forced if you are new to the field.
• You might not be flexible about discussion as you will always be thinking about the next question you will ask (if it is an interview podcast).

Bottom Line

One cannot underestimate the power of a good podcast script. An engaging script is informal, casual, and free flowing. You can write a word-to-word script or just an outline; it works both ways depending on how you like it. If you like to learn more about podcasting visit Lamar G Channel. We keep you informed.