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Table of contents:
Key takeaways:
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:
- A search-optimized title to make sure your podcast is easily discoverable.
- A detailed summary of topics discussed in the show (100-200 words max).
- A timestamped list of main points for easy episode navigation.
- Links to additional resources mentioned in your show.
- One or more calls to action (CTAs) encouraging readers to listen to, subscribe to, or sponsor the podcast.
What is the difference between a podcast summary and show notes?
Although some mistakenly use these two terms interchangeably, podcast show notes and summaries aren’t the same thing (and serve different purposes).
A podcast summary is a short, one-paragraph description of an episode. It’s usually found on podcast listening apps like Apple Podcasts or Spotify, where text is limited, and links to external resources are not allowed.
Here’s an example from The Minimalists Podcast:
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Podcast show notes, instead, appear on the show’s website or blog. They are much longer and more detailed since they don’t have to deal with the restrictions of podcast platforms. They often include links to external resources and calls to action (CTAs).
See below for an example of the extensive show notes of one of the episodes of The Minimalists Podcast:
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How to create great podcast show notes: Best practices
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:
- Visuals, videos, graphs, and statistics
- Any links to products or tools you mentioned
- 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.
Bonus Tip: You can also add links to previous episodes that are relevant to the current one. This gives your audience more content to explore!
Tell enough, but not too much
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 enough 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!
Optimize your show notes for SEO
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.
We’ve got a full guide on podcast SEO, but for show notes:
- Find prominent key terms or phrases that people search for around your episode topic. (You can use an SEO tool to help you.)
- Include this plus related terms, and focus on the intent of these searches in your title and throughout your podcast show notes.
- Follow SEO best practices when it comes to HTML as well, making sure to include keywords in your image ALT attributes and headings.
Keeping the copy simple not only helps search engines categorize it but it also makes it easier for audiences to read.
Luckily, some show notes tools do this for you. For example, Riverside’s Show Notes feature automatically generates keywords directly from your transcript and lists them at the top of your Show Notes, like this:
Add timestamps to your episode summaries
Adding timecodes 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 most.
And with Riverside, this doesn’t have to take much extra effort on your end. Our Show Notes feature automatically creates timestamped chapters that make your content easier to navigate and jump between relevant parts.
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.
Plus, with Riverside, you can automatically transcribe all your recordings in more than 100 languages!
Create a dedicated section for your 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.
A good CTA should be a simple nudge, a reminder, or a more articulated request to contribute to your show in a more direct way. You can also use CTAs for cross-promotion of your other activities, such as live events, fundraisings, or merchandise sales.
Write your show notes as you plan the episode (or save time with Riverside)
Save time by writing your podcast show notes while you plan your podcast episode script. While you can pay a professional to write your show notes, it’s obviously cheaper to DIY it. To make the most of your time, the best practice is to write the basics for your show notes while the content is fresh in your mind.
Take one of our templates (in the next section of this article) and incorporate your key sources, guest information, and main discussion topics.
Choose between short-form or long-form podcast show notes based on the episode:
- For episodes that are best suited to attracting new listeners through search traffic, use SEO-friendly long-form podcast show notes published on your website.
- For episodes that are designed for established listeners, short-form show notes providing simple information will be sufficient.
If you don’t have time to write long-form show notes, however, Riverside will come to your rescue!
With our automatic show notes generator, all you need to do is click a button, and AI will generate all show notes for you. You will get a summary, bullet points with key takeaways from your recording, and chapter markers with timestamps.
4 Best podcast show notes templates with examples
In this section, we’ve created a few templates to help you with your podcast show note creation by providing you with some practical examples.
Feel free to use them as they are or adapt them according to your show’s unique needs.
Template #1: The “Straight to the point”
This is the shortest, most concise template for podcasters who know their audience don’t care much about reading show notes. Or this can be used for very short episodes. Suitable for many comedy/humor podcasts, or episodes lasting 15 minutes or less.
Episode Title
Include SEO-friendly keywords, episode number and date.
Episode Introduction
Write a brief summary of the episode, like you would do for your episode description, and make sure to include your SEO keywords. Length should be around 50 to 150 words. If you are interviewing guests, you can mention their bios here.
Resources mentioned in this episode
A very simple list of links to the resources mentioned throughout the episode in bullet point form. May include links to other similar or related episodes.
Call to action
Start with a traditional “Listen, rate, and subscribe!” then include links to all the podcast platforms where people can listen to your show, as well as your Patreon, newsletter sign-up, or other membership sites too.
Here's an example of the "Straight to the Point" show notes for a fictional episode about UFOs and aliens.
Template #2: The “Let me tell you the full story”
This podcast show notes template is the opposite of the “Straight to the point” and it’s the longest, most complete description of everything you can find inside the episode. This is good if you don’t want to leave any stone unturned or if your audience loves reading long-form posts.
Episode Title
Include SEO-friendly keywords, episode number, and date.
Episode Introduction
Write a summary of the episode, like you would do for your episode description, and make sure to include your SEO keywords. It can be longer than usual, but generally no more than 250 words.
Host Bio
A short bio of the host(s) of your show, starting with yourself. You can also add a very brief overview of the show itself.
Guest Bio
Write a full introduction to the guest(s) featured on your episode, mentioning their bios, and including extra keywords if possible.
Episode’s main topics (H2 headers)
Write an H2 header for each of the main topics discussed in the episode, then write extended paragraphs detailing each one of them. Include the timecode of when the topic is mentioned besides each H2 (mm:ss).
Resources mentioned in this episode
A detailed list of links to the resources mentioned throughout the episode each with a brief description of what it is and why you included it. May include links to other similar or related episodes.
Episode transcript
Include the full (edited) podcast transcript or a link where the audience can access it. You can divide them into sections with timestamped headings.
Call to action
Start with a traditional “Listen, rate, and subscribe!” then include links to all the podcast platforms where people can listen to your show, as well as your Patreon, newsletter sign-up, or other membership sites too.
Contact info
Contact info to get in touch with you or your company, such as emails, telephone number, websites, social media handles, etc.
Template #3: The “Give me your money”
This template prioritizes your monetization efforts by showcasing affiliate links, sponsors, discount codes, or merchandise as prominently as possible in the show notes. It’s also a great choice if the episode supports a significant fundraising or crowdfunding effort (such as launching a product on Kickstarter).
Episode Title
Include SEO-friendly keywords, episode number and date.
Monetization links
Include all resources that matter for your monetization efforts here, such as affiliate links, discount codes, links to your merchandise. You can also add CTAs and links to your subscription services or crowdfunding platforms, like Patreon or Kickstarter.
Episode Introduction
Write a brief summary of the episode, like you would do for your episode description, and make sure to include your SEO keywords. Length should be around 100 to 200 words. If you are interviewing guests, you can mention their bios here.
Host Bio
A short bio of the host(s) of your show, starting with yourself. This is a good place to highlight your expertise on the matter, portraying yourself as a subject authority.
Guest Bio
Write a full introduction to the guest(s) featured on your episode, mentioning their bios, and including extra keywords if possible. Just like the bio, focus on the expertise and relevance to the topic at hand.
Episode’s main topics (bullet point)
Write a short description of the key topics discussed during the episode in bullet form with timestamps.
Example:
- Topic 1 (mm:ss)
- Topic 2 (mm:ss)
- Topic 3 (mm:ss)
Resources mentioned in this episode
A very simple list of links to the resources mentioned throughout the episode in bullet point form. May include links to other similar or related episodes.
Call to action
Start with a traditional “Listen, rate, and subscribe!” then include links to all the podcast platforms where people can listen to your show, as well as your newsletter sign-up, or other membership sites.
Template #4: The “Educational podcast”
This template focuses on providing your audience with as much information as possible beyond the episode itself. It’s best suited for educational, science, technology, or history podcasts—or any show where external information plays a predominant role. It’s also great when you need to back up your claims with solid evidence.
Episode Title
Include SEO-friendly keywords, episode number and date.
Episode Introduction
Write a summary of the episode, like you would do for your episode description, and make sure to include your SEO keywords. Length should be around 100 to 200 words.
Episode’s main topics (bullet point)
Write a short description of the key topics discussed during the episode in bullet form with timestamps.
Example:
- Topic 1 (mm:ss)
- Topic 2 (mm:ss)
- Topic 3 (mm:ss)
Suggested reading/listening
A list of additional resources for further study on the topic, for anyone interested in learning more.
Resources mentioned in this episode
A detailed list of links to all the external resources mentioned throughout the episode, each with a brief description of what it is and why you included it. May include links to other similar or related episodes. Include timestamps for when each resource is introduced.
References/Bibliography
A comprehensive list of sources to support all claims made in the episode. These sources should be authoritative and reliable, and can include books, scientific papers, journals, etc. Include timestamps for when each claim is made, as you would in an academic bibliography.
Call to action
Start with a traditional “Listen, rate, and subscribe!” then include links to all the podcast platforms where people can listen to your show, as well as your Patreon, newsletter sign-up, or other membership sites too.
Contact info
Contact info to get in touch with you or your company, such as emails, telephone number, websites, social media handles, etc.
Benefits of using podcast show notes
Great podcast show notes can offer added value to your audience. They can help grow your show, increase monetization opportunities, and improve the discoverability of your episodes.
In this section, we’ll break down the main benefits of enhancing each of your podcast episodes with well-crafted show notes.
Consolidating all your resources in one place
For many people, visual content is a lot easier to remember and take action on than audio content. Providing one location for listeners to easily access resources mentioned during your show, sponsored links, previous episodes, and CTAs is very helpful.
A consolidated list of links and resources is a powerful reminder for your listeners to download, subscribe to, and sponsor your podcast. Also, it involves very little extra effort for you as a podcaster as you’ll already have all these resources from your research.
Look at this example from The Tim Ferriss Show, one of the top podcasts in the world of how to include written versions of your ads in your show notes:
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Making your content more shareable
Show notes create novel content marketing opportunities to persuade potential audiences to tune in to your show. They are great for promoting your backlog of content to new and casual listeners and educating them about the show. You can feature old episodes or highlight key parts of your content that are easy to share.
Look at the example below from The Minimalists Podcast:
Attracting new listeners through search traffic
Instead of just optimizing your titles to increase your searchability on Spotify and YouTube, show notes can help you rank your entire website on Google. People might land on your website while searching for content outside your podcast, especially if you opted for long-form show notes.
While audio SEO is a growing field in digital marketing, search-engine-optimized written copy remains the most important way to improve traffic to your site. SEO-friendly podcast show notes with a focus on keywords are an easy way to create additional content to reach new audiences.
Top podcast show notes services
Creating well-crafted show notes on a regular basis can be time-consuming, adding yet another task to your already full list of responsibilities as a podcaster.
If your workflow is already packed with duties such as editing recordings, managing your website, or planning new content, don’t neglect writing your show notes. There are many external services that can help.
Here are a few:
Riverside
Riverside can help you save all your creative energy when writing, recording, and editing your podcast. Our AI-powered automatic show notes generator creates a full episode summary with bullet points, highlights, SEO keywords, suggested titles, timestamped chapter markers, and a full transcript with just a single click!
Just follow these simple instructions to generate your podcast’s show notes in a minute:
Step 1: Open the Riverside editor
You’ll need to sign up for a Pro plan to access Show Notes. Once you’re signed in, then, click on a relevant Project in your dashboard.
Step 2: Generate your episode’s show notes
Click on the “Show Notes” button that appears under your recording. Please note that you can create show notes only on recordings that are longer than 5 minutes and include a transcript.
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If your video is longer than 5 minutes but the “Show Notes” button is still grayed out after you uploaded your recording, you might need to wait until the full transcript is created.
After a few seconds, your show notes will appear below the video. Just scroll down to read them and copy-paste the section of your choice in the website or channel.
Step 3: Copy the transcript
If you want, you can also copy the full episode’s transcript on your clipboard. Just scroll down past the show notes, and click on the “Copy” button in the “Transcript” row of the “Recording files” section.
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Deciphr
Deciphr is a free software that uses AI to extract a transcript from your podcast and generate a summary of the main highlights, complete with timestamps. Since it's free, you shouldn’t expect too much in terms of precision, and the finished file will likely
require a few edits before it's ready to use. Still, it can save you quite a bit of time!
Capsho
Capsho is an AI tool that converts video and audio files into written content for marketing purposes, like social media posts on LinkedIn or Facebook, and blogs. Their show notes feature takes into account your needs by asking you questions first, and the results are quite consistent. The price is $29 for four episodes per month, and the first episode is free so you can test it out and decide whether it suits your needs.
Podcast Fast Track
Podcast Fast Track is an agency that helps podcasters build their brand through various services, including writing show notes. Their show notes package includes a 500-word summary, links, and timestamped key moments presented in bullet points. The price is $170 per episode, but they’re open to discussing customized packages based on your needs.
Final Thoughts
Writing great podcast show notes can greatly boost your listener numbers by providing extra value to your audience and increasing search traffic. Plus, as we've covered in this article, writing them doesn't have to be time-consuming.
Follow our best practices, use the podcast show notes templates we've provided, and give Riverside's latest AI features a try—writing show notes will be easier than ever!
FAQs on Podcast Show Notes
Where can I find podcast show notes?
Podcast show notes can usually be found on the podcast's website or blog. You can also find a shortened version under each episode's description on podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout, or Spotify.
How long should podcast show notes be?
That mostly depends on you and the level of detail you want to provide your audience. Short-form show notes are usually 50 to 200 words long and include a brief summary and the episode's key points. Long-form show notes can reach up to 1000 words (or even more) and also include additional resources, CTAs, detailed highlights, pull quotes, and a full transcript of the episode.
How do you write engaging podcast show notes?
To keep your readers engaged, start your show notes with a catchy hook, like a powerful quote or a controversial statement. Make sure all your content is well organized, easy to read, and has clear headings and bulleted lists. Maintain a conversational tone that matches your podcast's style, then close with a compelling call to action.
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