How to Write a Description for a Podcast
Whether your listeners stumble across your podcast on Google, hear about it from a friend, or discover it on their favorite podcast app, chances are they’ll see your podcast description and use it as a quick way to identify whether or not your show is for them!
You can use your podcast description as a place to more about you as the host, what type of content your show delivers, and who specifically it’s for!
In this blog, we’ll show you how to write a description for a podcast with examples and an easy template you can adapt for your show and unique audience. You’ll get our best podcast description tips so yours can stand out amongst the noise.
What’s the difference between a podcast description and show notes?
So glad you asked! We get asked this question a lot, so we’re not surprised you did.
A podcast description (also called a show description) summarizes the who, what, why of your podcast to potential audience members. It explains the topic of your show, and a simple but concise description that lets them know if they’re in the right spot as a listener.
It can also be helpful if your show and another has a similar or same name to distinguish between the two. Done right, a great podcast description can attract new listeners.
Podcast show notes give an overview of the individual episodes. They contain information specific to what’s in a show such as guests, topics covered, and takeaways. Show notes are written unique to every episode you produce, while a podcast description is written once and doesn’t need to be change unless something about the content or audience changes.
When you’re done reading this one, be sure to check out our blog How to Write Show Notes for a Podcast here (don’t worry, we’ll remind you of the link again at the end).
How to Write a Description for a Podcast
Give a headline
Start with a headline that conveys the main topic or theme of your podcast clearly and concisely while grabbing attention of your ideal audience.
Examples:
Listeners to Leads, hosted by Alesia Galati, teaches new and aspiring podcasters how to use their podcasts to grow their business.
In The Binge Factor podcast for aspiring podcasters and seasoned podcasters, podcast strategist Tracy Hazzard explores whether your podcast has what it takes to create and grow a bingeable podcast – where listeners binge on your every word and get to know, like, and trust you in an accelerated way.
The Positively Living podcast is a self-improvement podcast with specially curated content to support multi-passionate creatives and entrepreneurs.
Summarize the Episode
Write a summary that gives listeners a brief overview of what your podcast is about. Make sure to include topics or themes that are covered in your podcast, and your unique spin or perspective that sets your podcast apart and makes it stand out! This is also the portion of the podcast description in which many hosts will share who they are and what they do to bring the content to you in their own way.
Examples:
Astrologer and cosmic consultant, Madi Murphy, combines her spiritual teachings with practical, actionable steps– and usually with a dash of pop culture and high-vibe humor thrown in to keep it real. Weekly episodes will give our listeners their astro weather aka “energy report” for the week ahead and digestible doses of no-BS advice to fuel their personal evolution… and revolution!
We aspire to share what is possible and encourage more women to leap, striving for these board and c-suite positions themselves to change the path towards a more inclusive future. This podcast will share stories on how women lead and how their leadership opens the doors for the greater value of opportunities for others.
Go Over the Format
Speak to the format of the show to give your listeners and potential audience members an idea of what they’re in for with the show. Will you be doing guest interviews? Bringing in expert insights? Releasing only solo episodes? Do you share in short bite-size episodes or is it longer form? Or perhaps a combination?
Examples:
Hi, I’m Barb! I share my experience, strength and hope from 12 step recovery in each episode. They’re all 20 minutes or less. Unlike most recovery podcasts where you hear a person’s whole story, in this one, each episode is about a specific topic.
Sam and Karyn focus on the mindset, challenges, triumphs, and intentional strategies of running an aligned web design & development business. Each week, you’ll hear about everything from refining your business vision, crafting relevant packages & services, intentional networking & marketing, and creating a magical client experience.
Call to Action
Wrap up with a call to action to listen now, visit your website to learn more (or both!). Some also use the conclusion to offer up a reminder to review, subscribe, and share as well as speak to when new episodes air. We recommend focusing on one call to action that’s in line with the goals of your specific show. Remember, this is the last impression a potential listener will have before they hit play and start listening.
Examples:
Casey provides tools, advice, resources, support, and encouragement for extra passionate women entrepreneurs who want to leave their legacy in this world. Learn more about Casey and Female Founders Breaking Boundaries at https://c-suiteboutique.com/podcast
Check out thebingefactor.com for even more FREE infographics, tips, downloads, and masterclasses for podcasters.
Learn more about Alesia and Listeners to Leads at www.listenerstoleads.com
Tune in every other week to hear episodes that will help you be mindful in the present & open to the future. Learn more about Sarah and Poised Powerful Parenting at https://poisedpowerfulparenthood.com/interviews.
Want to learn how to write a podcast show description using our template?
You can use this easy podcast description template to tailor a podcast description that’s right for your show and listeners.
[PODCAST TITLE], hosted by [FULL NAME OF HOST], (shows, teaches, helps, etc.) [IDEAL LISTENER] to [WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO GET FROM THE SHOW]. [ABOUT THE HOST AND WHY THIS PERSON SHOULD SPEAK ON THESE THINGS]. [WHEN EPISODES GO LIVE IE. EVERY WEEK OR EVERY OTHER WEEK], you’ll (learn, hear, get) episodes that talk about [GENERAL TOPICS BEING DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW]. Learn more about [HOST AND PODCAST TITLE] at [PODCAST WEBSITE].
Here’s a full example so you can see the template in action:
Listeners to Leads, hosted by Alesia Galati, teaches new and aspiring podcasters how to use their podcasts to grow their business. Alesia uses her experience as the owner of Galati Media, a full-service podcast management company, to help business owners get leads, land speaking gigs, and create deeper connections with their audiences through their podcasts. Alesia and her guests will discuss everything from launching a podcast to marketing a podcast. Learn more about Alesia and Listeners to Leads at www.listenerstoleads.com
A Few More Podcast Description Tips and Best Practices:
- Remember to be concise and to the point. Avoid long paragraphs and run on text and stick to short, easy-to-read sentences. Anything else can be distracting.
- Include relevant search terms and keywords to help new listeners discover your podcast when they’re searching the internet or their podcast player for a specific topic or resource.
- Update your description when content, hosts, or target audience changes. Be sure to keep this description up to date and accurate.
- Don’t be afraid to use your personality and language in your podcast description to give your listeners and potential audience members the flavor and style of your show.
Writing a description for your podcast can feel overwhelming at first. You want to make a great first impression and make sure you’re describing your listeners with accuracy while capturing their attention.
When it comes to how to write a podcast description, it’s about showing your audience who you are and what you stand for in a way that allows them to clearly understand whether or not your show is a good fit for them. With this small step done well, it also gives you the podcast host an anchor point to keep your podcast focused on delivering what you promised. That’s what’s going to keep them coming back for more each and every week, and attract new listeners to your unique thought leadership.
At Galati Media, writing your podcast description is one of the many pieces we handle and take off your plate entirely with our full service podcast management service.
You don’t have to be an expert in podcasting (or writing podcast descriptions for that matter) to captivate the attention of your listeners, gain leads and speaking gigs, and change the lives of your audience.
Learn more about how we support podcasters like you!
Next recommended Galati Media Blog:
How to Write Show Podcast Show Notes
Recommended Listeners to Leads Episode:
Listeners to Leads Episode 97) Repurpose Past Podcast Content using SEO Strategy with Erin Ollila’s
