Podcasters Should Write More Show Notes
January 23, 2008
There are many reasons to write complete show notes for your podcast and internet radio show and the most important reason in my opinion is that search engines can’t listen to your show!
If you’ve recorded a twenty minute podcast and only write about 20 words to describe it, you’re not providing the search engines with enough food to index to pull in good traffic.
Always try to write at least 100 words to describe your topics and guests. It takes a little extra time but I tackle this by working on show notes all through the week.
When I interview someone, I write up a brief note about them and our discussion for the show notes right then.
When I think of a topic I want to cover during my solo time I go add the show notes for that idea right at that moment. (It helps me to remember what I wanted to say later so it serves a double purpose.)
When I’m all done with the show and am uploading the audio, I give the notes a final tweak, adding links and details mentioned during the episode.
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Oh girl you’re talking to me. I am SO bad about this! But I’m going to get better.
I’ve been posting transcripts for most of my shows on my blog, but I need to say more in my intro and out. :)
Oh Definitely one of my downfalls. I sooo need to write longer stuff. Thanks for the reminder.
I love writing detailed show notes but if you make it too long, will the listeners still want to listen? Or will they figure that you’ve just given them all the info in the notes?
I never thought of it like that before (search engines not being able to listen to your show)! Great point and I’ll have to work on this starting right now!
Christina, good question!
Your listeners WANT to listen to you! All the well written show notes in the world won’t replace the enjoyment of spending time listening to a great podcast ;)
Sometimes you withhold a detail to tempt newcomers to give a listen though… that can be a great way to entice new listeners!
I think I do ok in this area. Not really sure. Need to check on that.