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So you’ve got a dynamite concept for your podcast episode, but you don’t want to wing it and end up with a 20-minute tangent about your cat’s mysterious vendetta against the mailman. At the same time, you don’t want to sound like a robot reading off a script. Striking that balance is key, and here’s how to nail it.


1. Know Your Structure, But Keep It Flexible

Think of your script as a blueprint, not a step-by-step assembly manual. Outline your key points, segment transitions, and any must-mention details, but leave room for natural flow and detours.

A simple structure might look like:

  • Intro: Hook your audience and introduce the episode topic. Shock, surprise, or make us laugh! We need MORE.
  • Main Content: Cover 3–5 key points. This is the meat. The meal.
  • Outro: Wrap up and plug any next steps (e.g., subscribing, leaving a review). Careful not to play yourself out before you’ve said all you plan to say! Ads or other less desirable but necessary content should feel organic and fast so as not to be skipped.

Bonus Tip: Use bullet points in your script to avoid sounding too rigid while keeping yourself on track.


2. Write How You Speak

Newsflash: Your audience isn’t expecting Shakespeare. If you wouldn’t say, “Permit me to elaborate on this notion,” don’t write it. Write your script the way you’d naturally speak to a friend over coffee—maybe with a little more clear enunciation.


3. Sprinkle in Personality

Remember, people are tuning in for you, not just your topic. Don’t be afraid to add a joke, an anecdote, or even a bit of sass. If your script feels like it could be read by anyone, it’s missing you.

For example: Instead of saying, “Let’s talk about podcast editing,” try, “Let’s dive into podcast editing—because who doesn’t love spending hours debating whether to cut out that awkward laugh?”


4. Practice, Don’t Memorize

Read your script out loud before you record. This helps you catch clunky phrasing and ensure you sound natural. But don’t memorize it word-for-word—you’re not delivering Jimmy Fallon’s monologue here.

Pro Tip: Record a quick test run to hear how you sound. If you cringe, tweak it. If you cringe again… well, welcome to the glamorous world of podcasting. Go for good, don’t stall on perfect.


5. Use Cues, Not Full Sentences

Instead of writing out every word you plan to say, try using keywords or short phrases as prompts. This encourages spontaneity while keeping you on topic.

Example:

  • Full sentence: “Welcome to the podcast! Today, we’ll discuss how to grow your audience in 2025.”
  • Cue: “Intro → audience growth, 2025.” (Dramatic, exciting trap music plays you in…)

6. Be Prepared, Not Overprepared

Yes, there’s such a thing as too much prep. If your script reads like a PhD dissertation, you’re overdoing it. Your goal is clarity, not a literary masterpiece. Over-preparation can drain your energy and make you sound like a cardboard cutout.


Just One More Thing

Scripting your podcast is about balance. You want enough structure to keep things coherent, but not so much that you lose the magic of a real, human conversation. So, map out your episodes, relax, and let your personality shine. Your audience is tuning in for you, not some overly polished audio automaton.

There are literal AI podcasts now, hosted by AI personalities. Differentiate by being a human person.

Now grab that mic, hit record, and let the magic flow. Your podcast, your story. 😏

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