Table of contents:
Key takeaways:
- Podcast summaries are short descriptions that tell listeners what to expect of an episode.
- A good summary is short and sweet, piquing listeners' interest without giving away all of the episode content.
- A great podcast summary should strike the right tone and create a little FOMO.
You’ve planned, recorded, and edited the perfect podcast episode. Now, there’s only one thing left to do before you can publish: write the podcast summary.
With a podcast summary, you have one chance to make the right impression with just a few words. This is why podcast summaries should be engaging, informative, and hook the potential listener from the start.
So, how can you get it right? The following in-depth guide will give you practical tips on how to write a good podcast summary from scratch. We also include podcast summary examples and templates that you can use time and time again.
What is a podcast summary?
Podcast summaries often get confused with show notes and descriptions, so let’s spend some time clearing this up.
Podcast episode summaries
A podcast summary is a short description, usually a couple of sentences long, that tells listeners what to expect from each episode. It appears on each individual episode of your podcast. As the first point of contact for potential listeners, its primary goal is to entice them to press play by highlighting the episode’s unique value. In other words, you want to create a sense of #FOMO, encouraging listeners to tune in so they don’t miss out.
Podcast episode show notes
A podcast summary is one of the elements that makes up an episode’s show notes. This is the text that is displayed when someone is checking out an episode on a podcasting platform, such as Spotify or Apple. It includes elements like host and/or guest bios, social media links, a compelling CTA, and other information about the podcast and episode such as release schedule, or key takeaways.
Podcast description
Your podcast description gives a general synopsis of your podcast as a whole. It is also displayed on podcasting platforms on the podcast’s landing page. Use your description to tell people what your podcast is about, who the podcast is for, why people should listen, and any other information that will entice people to check out and listen to your podcast.
How to write a podcast summary: 9 steps
Now that you understand what a podcast summary is, let's move on to how to write one.
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial that will help you craft a highly engaging and effective podcast summary for each podcast episode you create. We’ve also included a time-saving hack!
Step 1: Listen to the episode
Make sure you have listened to the podcast episode. Skip this step if you’ve recently edited the episode and the content is fresh in your mind. This is only necessary if it's been a while, and the content is a little rusty, or you have outsourced the audio or video editing process.
Step 2: Make some key notes
As you think about the podcast episode content, take some notes on it, answering questions like:
- What are the main talking points?
- What lessons do you share with audience members?
- What are the stand-out parts that people should not miss?
- Who would benefit from listening and why?
Creating a list of these highlights will help you when writing the summary.
Time saving hack: Use Riverside’s automatic transcription tool to skim the content of a podcast episode, and Magic Clips to help identify stand-out moments.
Step 3: Identify the episode’s unique selling point
Consider what the main “hook,” or unique selling point of your episode is and why people should listen. Choose the one with the strongest and most valuable benefit to the listener.
Example:
The episode may teach listeners a special skill they won’t learn anywhere else, reveal insight from a guest that hasn’t been heard before, or share the very latest industry stats, facts, and news.
Step 4: Create a catchy first line
First impressions count. If the first line of your summary is dull or uninspiring, you’ll lose listeners’ interest in seconds. To grab and keep their attention, use a short and punchy statement that evokes emotion that listeners can relate to immediately. You want them to feel curious enough to take action.
Examples:
[GUEST] reveals shocking information about [TOPIC] for the first time ever!
Feel [EMOTION] about [TOPIC]? We reveal how you can fix this in 3 practical steps.
Step 5: Add in the vital details
Podcast summaries should cover the vital details. Make sure to include the main topic of conversation, special guests, why people need to listen, who the episode is for, and of course the distinct feature that sets your episode apart.
Time saving hack: Use Riverside’s AI Show Notes to speed up the process. It will generate podcast summaries, takeaways, chapters, relevant keywords and show notes in one click.
Step 6: Optimize your summary
Does your podcast summary contain relevant keywords? Since you are publishing this content online, it’s always wise to optimize it for podcast SEO (search engine optimization). Google and other search engines rank content by how relevant it is to the searcher. They scan content for relevant keywords, among other ranking factors.
The more relevant and helpful your content is to the searcher, the more likely it is to rank - both in searching engines and in podcasting platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Use a keyword research tool to find keywords and phrases relevant to your episode topic. By weaving these throughout your podcast summary and show notes, you can improve your chances of ranking well in search results.
You can learn more in our guide about Podcast SEO.
Top tip: Avoid repeating the same or similar phrases in an unnatural way. This is known as keyword stuffing, and it annoys both search engines and potential listeners. Just don’t do it.
Step 7: Cut your summary down
Your first draft of your podcast summary will be too long. But you want to keep the summary short, snappy, and concise. Read your podcast summary and edit out any irrelevant information. If a sentence or phrase doesn't add any value to the reader, take it out.
Top tip: There’s no room for fluff in a podcast episode summary. If a sentence or phrase still makes sense without certain words, get rid of them.
Step 8: Proofread your content
Typos and spelling mistakes can make your content and podcast episodes look amateur. Always proofread your summary before publishing it to avoid discouraging people from listening to your episode.
If this isn’t a strong suit of yours, use a spelling and grammar tool such as Grammarly to check your content.
Top tip: Always double-check the spelling of your guest(s) names and other brands/companies to avoid any embarrassing situations.
Step 9: Submit your summary
The final step is to publish your episode, summary, and podcast show notes. It’s important for branding to ensure that there’s a level of consistency in your podcast summaries - it also helps to make you look more polished and professional. Stick to a style that works for you and your podcast episodes.
You can submit your summary using a podcast hosting platform such as Captivate, Acast, Buzzsprout, or Libsyn, and they’ll distribute it to the podcast playing apps. Alternatively, you can use podcasting apps such as Spotify for Podcasters or Apple Podcast Connect.
.webp)
What makes a good podcast summary: 10 best practices
Writing a summary that wins over your audience is an art form. A well-crafted podcast summary should pique listeners' interest without giving away all of the episode content. After all, you still want people to listen!
We recommend sticking to between one and two paragraphs. Here are some tips on what to cover.
1. Highlight the main topic and guests
If you are interviewing a guest (or multiple guests), you should mention it in your podcast summary. Later on in your show notes, you can include more detail like social media and website links, as well as bios and accreditations.
What is the podcast episode about, and why should the audience care? What makes this episode unique and interesting to listeners?
2. Include teasers
Add teasers of what your audience can expect to generate interest and encourage them to click the “play” button. (We’ve said it once, and we’ll say it again: it’s all about that #FOMO.)
3. Do your keyword research
Don’t forget to include keywords related to your podcast episode in your summary. What are people searching for where your podcast might meet their needs? Use a keyword research tool like Keywords Everywhere to find a few of the more popular keywords that apply. Then include one or two in your description and show notes.
4. Give them a reason
Give listeners one main reason they need to listen to the episode.
Podcast summaries are marketing tools, so work on your writing skills and capture your listeners’ imagination. Once you have finished drafting your show notes, read them back and consider whether they are doing the job. Does your summary sound exciting? Are you using creative language to make them want to listen to the episode?
By evaluating each podcast summary before you publish it, you give yourself the best chance of success.
5. Think about your audience
Really think about your ideal listener. What do they like and what don’t they like? You need to speak their language and appeal to what they want. Use the tone and vocabulary that will resonate with them and write in a way that will make them feel valued and heard.
6. Include a compelling CTA
If you have space, include a CTA, but keep it really short and simple,like “leave us a review” or “follow us on Instagram.” If you don’t have space, you can always add this somewhere else in your show notes.
7. Don’t waste space
Don’t start with, “In this podcast episode we will …”. Summaries and show notes get truncated in the podcast playing platforms. Consider that first sentence your best opportunity to hook and entice potential listeners.
8. Use AI tools
AI tools can help you create a quick summary of your podcast that you can edit to perfection. This can help you create quality podcast summaries in no time flat. Riverside’s AI Show Notes feature will generate a summary and show notes in a click, allowing you to get maximal reach with minimal effort.
9. Make it skimmable
When you’re writing a summary of a podcast, you need to make sure it is skimmable. That means that the reader can take in the information quickly and easily. Consider breaking the paragraphs up so that they don’t look like big blocks. You can also use bullet points or even numbered lists to share your takeaways with potential listeners.
10. Don’t give too much away
Sure, you want to get listeners’ attention. But you should be careful not to give away too much too soon. If your podcast summary outlines everything that you talk about in the episode, the reader won’t need to listen to it. Rather than explaining in fine detail what you cover in the podcast, simply share the highlights along with some teasers.
3 podcast summary templates with examples
Need a little inspiration for your next podcast summary? Here are a few podcast summary templates that you can use time and time again.
Download the templates here!
Podcast summary template 1: Draw on emotion
Is [TOPIC] making you feel [EMOTION]? [GUEST], [GUEST CREDENTIALS], shares [NUMBER] easy-to-implement strategies that actually work. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast!
Listen to this episode if you want to:
- Compelling reason #1
- Compelling reason #2
- Compelling reason #3
Example:
Is staying on top of the latest SEO trends making you feel overwhelmed. Marie Smith, researcher and head of content at Latest SEO News, shares 4 easy-to-implement strategies that actually work. Don’t forget to subscribe to our podcast!
Listen to this episode if you want to:
- Keep up to date with the latest in SEO
- Know which resources are trustworthy
- Learn key strategies to implement for your business or brand
Podcast summary template 2: Create that #FOMO
Want the most up-to-date insights on [TOPIC]? We’ve got you covered, as we discuss [SUB-TOPIC], [SUB-TOPIC], and [SUB-TOPIC].
This is an episode not to miss if you want to [MAIN COMPELLING REASON]. Have a burning question you want us to answer? Reach out to us on Instagram at [INSERT HANDLE].
Example:
Want the most up-to-date insights on the best AI tools for productivity? We’ve got you covered, as we discuss why boosting productivity is important, what the best AI tools are for doing so, and where to get the best deals.
This is an episode not to miss if you want to boost your productivity with AI and have more time to focus on what matters. Have a burning question you want us to answer? Reach out to us on Instagram at @AIPodChat.
Podcast summary template 3: Speak directly to the listener
Are you a [LISTENER] wanting to know about [TOPIC]. We’re joined by [GUEST], [GUEST CREDENTIALS], who shares insights on [SUB-TOPIC], [SUB-TOPIC], and [SUB-TOPIC], for the very first time.
Find out why [GUEST] said, “[QUOTE]” about [TOPIC]. Like our episodes? Make sure to leave us a review, and share our podcast with your friends and family.
Example:
Are you a Bikram (Hot) Yoga fanatic wanting to know about the benefits? We’re joined by Jon Slade, Bikram expert and researcher, who shares insights on the teaching of B.C. Ghost, for the very first time.
Find out why Jon said, “don’t practice Bikram yoga everyday.” Like our episodes? Make sure to leave us a review, and share our podcast with your friends and family.
FAQs on Podcast Summaries
What is a podcast short summary?
Put simply, a summary of a podcast is a description of an episode. It is usually only one or two paragraphs. The short blurb should tell readers what they can expect from the episode and why they should listen to it. Some content creators call podcast summaries “show notes”. The two phrases are interchangeable.
What makes a good podcast summary?
If you want to write an effective podcast summary, there are some simple approaches you can use. Follow these tips to help you along the way:
- Keep it short. Podcast summaries shouldn’t be longer than two paragraphs. When you are writing your show notes, you should aim to keep the content concise.
- Optimize your summary. It’s important to use keywords and phrases throughout your podcast summary. Do some SEO research before you start writing.
- Keep it interesting. Podcast summaries have the power to grab readers’ attention. Make sure that the content is interesting and offers real value to the audience.
- Make it educational. Your podcast summary needs to tell the reader what the episode is about. Make sure that all of the right information is in the show notes.
Is there a website that summarizes podcasts?
Yes. You can use an AI summarizer — like the ones that we have mentioned in this guide — to create your podcast summary. Keep in mind that you may need to edit the content that the AI generator creates. You should also optimize your show notes for SEO purposes.
What’s the difference between a podcast summary and description?
People often confuse podcast summaries and podcast descriptions. However, there’s a simple distinction that you can make between the two.
Podcast summaries apply only to singular episodes. Sometimes known as “show notes,” these blurbs give a quick overview of what listers can expect in a certain episode. They may include the topics you cover, guests’ credentials, and other details. When a listener clicks on a certain episode in Spotify or Apple Podcasts, they will see the summary there.
On the other hand, podcast descriptions apply to the podcast as a whole. The description gives prospective listeners a general idea about the podcast’s subject matter. It covers what the topic of your podcast is, who you (or the hosts) are, and why people should listen. If you want to boost your following and gain listeners, you need to make sure that this hits the mark. For more information, read our extensive guide on how to write a podcast description.
-(1).png)
