How to Write Podcast Show Notes (Even If You Have No Idea Where to Start)

You launched a podcast. Got it recorded. You figured out the editing software (mostly) and hit publish. Now you’re Googling “how to write podcast show notes” because someone mentioned them and you smiled and nodded like you knew exactly what they were talking about.

No judgment or shade from me. Show notes are one of those things everyone assumes you already know about, so nobody really explains them. This post does.

What Are Podcast Show Notes?

Show notes are the written content that lives on your podcast’s website alongside each episode. Think of them as the companion piece to your audio—a place where listeners (and search engines) can find out what the episode is about before they commit to hitting play.

They’re not a transcript. A transcript is word-for-word. Show notes are more like a helpful summary with a little extra context baked in.

And yes, they matter more than most new podcasters realize.

Why Show Notes Are Worth Your Time

Google can’t listen to audio. Search engines find your podcast through the words on the page, which means if your show notes are thin (or nonexistent), your episodes are basically invisible to anyone who didn’t already know to look for you.

Good show notes do three things:

They help new listeners decide if an episode is worth their time. A clear summary with key takeaways is way more useful than “Episode 47: Chat with Sarah.”

They give your existing listeners somewhere to find links, resources, and names they missed while driving or doing dishes.

They tell Google what your episode is about—which is how you start showing up in search results for people who’ve never heard of you.

That last one? That’s the long game. And it’s worth playing.

What Goes in Podcast Show Notes

There’s no single right format, but a solid set of show notes usually includes:

A short episode summary (2–4 sentences). What’s this episode about? Who’s in it? What will the listener walk away with? Keep it clear and specific—”we chat about wellness” is not a summary.

Key takeaways or talking points. A few bullet points highlighting the main ideas covered. This is gold for skimmers and for SEO.

Guest bio (if applicable). A short paragraph on who your guest is and why they’re worth listening to. Bonus: it makes guests happy, and happy guests share.

Links and resources mentioned. Books, tools, websites, affiliate links—anything you or your guest referenced. Make it easy for listeners to take action.

Timestamps. Optional, but really useful for longer episodes. Nobody wants to scrub through 45 minutes to find the one thing they wanted to revisit.

A call to action. What do you want the listener to do next? Subscribe, leave a review, download a freebie, book a call? Pick one and say it clearly.

A Simple Formula for Writing Show Notes

If you’re staring at a blank page every time you sit down to write show notes, try this:

Start with one sentence that names the episode topic and why it matters. Follow with two or three sentences that hit the biggest points covered. Add your bullet takeaways. Drop in your links and bio. Close with your CTA.

That’s it. You’re done. Doesn’t have to be fancy—it has to be clear and complete.

Write like you’re telling a friend what the episode was about. Conversational, specific, no fluff.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Writing them like a press release. Stiff, formal, third-person language. Nobody talks like that, and nobody wants to read it.

Being too vague. “We cover a lot of great topics in this one!” tells the reader nothing. Be specific about what’s in the episode.

Skipping the links. If you mentioned a book, a tool, or a website and didn’t link it, you just created friction. People won’t go hunting—they’ll just move on.

Forgetting the CTA. Every episode is a chance to deepen the relationship with your audience. Don’t waste it by just… ending.

Writing them as an afterthought. Show notes written in two minutes after a long recording day tend to look like it. Block a little dedicated time, even if it’s just 20 minutes.

Want to Take It Further? Blog-Style Show Notes.

Once you’ve got the basics down, there’s a next-level version worth knowing about: blog-style show notes.

Instead of a summary, you write a full standalone post—something that gives real value even if someone never listens to the episode. It covers the same content but reads like an article, with headers, depth, and natural keyword weaving throughout.

Blog-style show notes do double duty. They serve your listeners and they work hard for SEO in a way that a 200-word summary just can’t match. For podcasters who want their content to keep working after the episode drops, this is the move.

It’s more work, no question. But if content is part of how you grow your business, it’s worth it.

The Part Where I Tell You I Can Do This For You

Show notes are one of those tasks that sound simple until you’re sitting down to write your fourth episode in a week and your brain is completely fried.

If you’d rather spend your energy on the conversations and let someone else handle the words, that’s exactly what I do at Leaf & Laptop. Podcast content support—show notes, blog-style recaps, the whole thing—so your episodes don’t just live in an app. They work for you.

Services I offer: leafandlaptop.co/services

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