Writing Effective Podcast Show Notes
Show notes accompany each episode and serve multiple purposes: helping listeners, improving SEO, and providing a record of your content. Here's how to write them well.
What to Include in Show Notes
Essential Elements
- Episode summary (2-3 sentences)
- Key topics covered (bullet points)
- Guest information (if applicable)
- Links and resources mentioned
- Timestamps for navigation
Optional Elements
- Full transcript or transcript link
- Quotes or highlights
- Related episodes
- Call to action
- Sponsor mentions
Show Notes Template
[Episode Title]
[2-3 sentence summary of the episode]
In this episode:
- Topic 1
- Topic 2
- Topic 3
Resources Mentioned:
- [Resource 1](link)
- [Resource 2](link)
Timestamps:
[00:00] Introduction
[02:30] Topic 1
[15:45] Topic 2
[28:00] Closing thoughts
[Guest Bio - if applicable]
Connect With Us:
[Social links]
Show Notes for SEO
Keywords
- Use your target keyword in the first 100 words
- Include related terms naturally
- Don't keyword stuff
Structure
- Use headers (H2, H3) for organization
- Include internal links to related episodes
- Add alt text to any images
Length
- Minimum 300 words for SEO value
- More detailed notes rank better
- Balance depth with readability
Time-Saving Tips
Create a Template
Build a reusable template with your standard sections. Fill in the specifics for each episode.
Write While You Record
Take notes during recording about:
- Key points discussed
- Timestamps of important moments
- Links to mention
Repurpose Content
Your show notes can become:
- Email newsletter content
- Social media posts
- Blog articles
- Video descriptions
Common Mistakes
- Too brief - "Great conversation with [Guest]" isn't helpful
- Missing links - If you mentioned it, link it
- No timestamps - Makes navigation difficult
- Forgetting keywords - Missed SEO opportunity
- Inconsistent format - Creates confusion
Where Show Notes Appear
- Your podcast website
- Podcast apps (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)
- RSS feed description field
- Search engine results
Write your show notes knowing they'll be read in multiple contexts.