Creating a compelling podcast episode requires careful planning and preparation. The podcast episode outline is the critical foundation that supports the structure and flow of your show. This guide will walk through how to write podcast outlines along with template examples to help you organize and craft engaging episodes.
A podcast episode outline is a document that breaks down the key segments and contents of your show. It serves as the blueprint to plan the narrative and pacing of discussion topics, interview questions, intros/outros, quotes, and more.
Outlines help provide a consistent format across episodes while allowing flexibility to highlight unique topics or guests. Well-structured podcast outlines translate to polished, professional-sounding shows.
Effective podcast episode outlines include certain core components:
A high-level summary of the episode topic and contents provides focus for the outline.
Note the guest name, episode number, recording date, publish date, length, and links related to the topic.
Designate the length and order of sections like the intro, discussion segments, interview, quotes, wrap-up, etc.
Devise an interesting opening question, factoid, or story to grab listener attention right away.
Use headings, bullet points, and numbering to neatly organize all parts of the episode content.
Expand on all main discussion topics, specific questions for interviews, quotes, and outro details.
Here are podcast episode outline templates you can model:
Overview: Interview with [GUEST NAME] about [TOPIC]
Runtime: 45 minutes
Recording Date:
Publish Date:
Related Links:
Opening (2 minutes)
Interview Segment 1 (10 minutes)
Interview Segment 2 (10 minutes)
Interview Segment 3 (10 minutes)
Quote from Guest (2 minutes)
Wrap-up (1 minute)
Conclusion (30 seconds)
Overview: [EPISODE TOPIC]
Opening (2 minutes)
Main Point #1 (5 minutes)
Main Point #2 (5 minutes)
Main Point #3 (5 minutes)
Interesting Fact/Quote (1 minute)
Counterarguments (3 minutes)
Wrap-up (2 minutes)
Conclusion (30 seconds)
Overview: [EPISODE TOPIC] Solo Episode
Intro (2 minutes)
Topic Intro (2 minutes)
Main Point #1 (4 minutes)
Main Point #2 (4 minutes)
Main Point #3 (4 minutes)
Interesting Fact/Quote (1 minute)
Address Listener Questions (3 minutes)
Lessons Learned (2 minutes)
Conclusion (1 minute)
Follow these steps when creating your own podcast outlines:
1. Decide on a Topic
2. Set a Goal
3. Research the Topic
4. Organize the Structure
5. Draft the Outline
6. Refine the Outline
7. Time the Episode
8. Final Review
Here are excerpts from real podcast episode outlines:
Episode: Jim Collins — A Rare Interview with a Reclusive Polymath
Overview: I explore the topics of Jim's most famous book, Good to Great, including: getting the right people on the bus, the hedgehog concept, the flywheel, and leading with questions vs. answers.
Opening: I briefly set up some context around why Jim is a reclusive figure before introducing him. We initially bond over both growing up in small towns in Colorado.
Interview Segment 1 (Superpowers): What does Jim view as his superpowers? How did he hone them? His journey of self-discovery unlocking his superpowers.
Interview Segment 2 (Hedgehog Concept): Jim walks through the hedgehog concept from Good to Great. What does it mean? Why the hedgehog analogy? How readers misunderstand it.
Episode: Best of 2016 Part 1
Opening: Quick welcome back mentioning this is part 1 of our best of 2016 episodes featuring clips from amazing guests over the past year.
Clip 1: (4 minutes) Excerpt of interview with author Adam Grant discussing techniques for balancing work passion with relationships.
Clip 2: (5 minutes) Clip from episode with Olympic athlete Katie Ledecky sharing advice to competitors on rebounding from losses.
**Clip 3: (3 minutes) ** Sara Blakely explaining how she stayed resilient during the early days of Spanx before success.
Wrap-up: Recap of themes from the clips. Looking ahead to 2017 episodes.
Here are some tips for creating effective podcast episode outlines:
How detailed should a podcast episode outline be?
Outline in enough detail to guide the discussion and interview, but avoid lengthy sentences. Use concise bullet points, numbers and headings to summarize ideas and questions.
How long should a podcast episode be?
Most podcasts range from 20-45 minutes. Choose a consistent time based on your niche, content format and audience preferences. Adjust outlines to fit your target episode length.
How do you organize a podcast outline?
Start with a topic overview and episode logistics. Structure the main segments in a logical flow. Include transitions like introductions, quotes, and conclusions. Use formatted lists for easy scanning.
What makes a good podcast title?
Strong podcast titles are descriptive, catchy, and use keywords listeners search. Include show name, episode number and compelling words that spark interest.
What's the best podcast outline format?
Google Docs, Word, Evernote, or other basic word processing programs work well. Use a text-based format without extra design for simplicity. Add headings, lists and timecodes.
How detailed should interview questions be?
Outline just the key questions and talking points, not full sentences. List potential prompts and follow-ups under each main question. Highly scripted interviews sound robotic.
Investing time in crafting compelling podcast episode outlines pays off with engaging shows listeners want to tune into. Use these templates and writing strategies to outline episodes that inform and entertain.