Podcasting 101: Do You Need a Script, Outline or Just Free Form?

Podcasts are now a way of life for many because it allows them to learn about different topics, get inspired and motivated or just enjoy a good talk while they’re driving to work, cleaning the house, or running an errand.

In fact, almost half of the American population listens to podcasts, which is why it is now a significant platform for offering information.

Now if you want to make a podcast, you have to be smart about the content that you put out so you can really offer value to your listeners. This is why you need a podcast strategy. The question is: do you need a script, an outline or just go free form? The answer is, it depends.

Creating your podcast strategy

Before you could think about scripts and outlines, you need to come up with a solid podcast strategy first. Think about the people who you would like to consume your content.

What do they want to listen to? Thinking about your target audience is an important first step because it will give you direction on what you’re going to talk about, otherwise, you’ll just be writing down words with no purpose.

You also need to determine the type of content that you’d want to put out. Focus on a genre or topic and build your content around that. While you can talk about things that you enjoy and love, make sure that you also have an audience for those topics.

You should also not be afraid to explore topics that may not be as interesting to you but are relevant to your audience. This will allow you to build a solid following.

Creating your content

Now, should you create a script, work off an outline, or just go free form? You can actually do all that but it will depend on what you’re talking about and how comfortable you are with it.

Most people who run podcasts have scripts or at least an outline that they refer to, especially when they’re talking about complex topics that need facts. But, you can also use a combination of scripts and free form conversations to make your podcast sound as natural as possible.

This is especially true when you’re hosting or interviewing someone because it allows for a more seamless conversation since you already know what you’re talking about.

The trick to creating good podcast content is to keep things conversational. If you’re going to write a script, make sure that it doesn’t sound monotonous and flat.

It’s very important to emphasize on your delivery notes or those areas where you pause, laugh, and create other effects that will make your podcast sound interesting to your audience.

Podcasts are a great way to deliver your message and offer valuable information to your audience.

Whether you’re doing it for business or simply just to share your knowledge about an area that you’re good in, a great podcast can really benefit a lot of people if done right.