157: Podcast Show Notes Best Practices and Strategy

For the first time ever, podcast show notes display almost the SAME in all podcasting apps (thanks Apple).

That brings up the question... what ARE show notes anyway? And how can I best use them?

On this episode of Podcastification, I'm going to explain what show notes are, what they should contain, and how to create and use them in the MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS.

Keep reading.

What ARE show notes?

There are differing opinions or definitions out there for the term "show notes." Some people feel like it's a blog post length summary of a podcast episode, or maybe even a transcript of the audio.

Others feel the term should refer mainly to the brief description of an episode you might find in a podcast app.

Which is it?

From my perspective as the Founder of a company that creates show notes for podcasting clients, it's both.

Let me explain...

Kill two birds with one stone

To make the most of every episode of your podcast, you really NEED BOTH the longer blog post content that goes on your website, AND the shorter, abbreviated content that pulls into the podcast apps from your media host.

Instead of creating a separate document or post for those two things, I suggest you create one MASTER post that you can use in a variety of ways to fulfill both needs... and social media elements while you're at it.

But before we get to that, there's one last thing I want to say...

Your listeners won't know what you've created for them if you don't guide them to it

You may follow the steps I'm about to give you and create the best show notes on the planet or within your industry or niche.

But if your audience doesn't know they are available, they won't use them.

It's YOUR job to ensure they know about the resources you create.

I suggest you figure out a way to remind yourself to TELL your audience about your show notes EVERY TIME you record a new episode.

• Develop a bullet-point list you use when you record that reminds you of all the important stuff you need to say
• Add references to your show notes to that list

WHERE DO YOU INCLUDE IT?

• Make the mention of your show notes a standard part of your call to action at the end of each episode.
• When guests share a resource, comment that you'll include it in the show notes or description.

Your listeners will become aware of your show notes and become accustomed to looking at them when they need a resource... in time. Just be consistent.

MAKE FINDING THE NOTES EASY FOR YOUR LISTENERS

The last stats I saw (early 2021) said that 85% of podcast listeners are listening on a mobile device. So think about that from a show notes perspective...

If you're saying, "Check out the website for the show notes to this episode," you're making it HARD for your listeners to find them.

Even if you refer to a specific short-link, you're still forcing them to open a web browser and find the show notes.

HERE'S A BETTER IDEA...

Since you know that the majority of your listeners are listening to your show on a mobile device, then point them to the description on their mobile device. I often say something like this...

"That resource can be found in the description for this episode, and you can find that in the listening app you're using to listen right now. Swipe right, left, up, down... something and the description section will be there."

Your show notes master document

First off, create a Google Doc that you can use as a template for your show notes. That way you don't have to recreate the structure every time you produce a new episode.

You'll simply copy the template document, rename it, and away you go.

What should your...