What should podcast show notes include?
Good podcast show notes include a two or three sentence summary, the key topics with timestamps, the guest's name and links, any resources mentioned, and one clear call to action. They help listeners decide to press play and help search engines understand the episode. Stimulate includes show notes in every package.
A simple show notes template
- Title: the promise of the episode in plain words.
- Summary: two or three sentences on who it is for and what they will learn.
- Topics: four to eight bullet points with timestamps.
- Guest: name, role and where to find them.
- Links: resources, books or tools mentioned in the episode.
- Call to action: subscribe, book a call, or visit your website.
Why do show notes matter for search and answer engines?
Audio is hard for search engines to read. Show notes turn the episode into text: names, topics and questions people actually search for. Clear summaries and timestamps also make it easier for answer engines to quote the right part of an episode.
How long should show notes be?
Long enough to cover the template above. Most episodes need a short summary and a handful of bullet points, not a transcript. If you want a full transcript as well, ask on the discovery call.
Who writes them?
Our editors write show notes as part of post-production, using the edited episode and the producer's timestamp notes, so the timestamps match the final cut.
What goes into good show notes?
- A short summary that says who the episode is for and what they will learn.
- Timestamps for the main topics.
- Guest name, role and links, with their approval.
- Links to anything mentioned in the episode.
- One clear call to action.
Why do show notes matter for search?
Show notes are the text search engines and answer engines can read. A clear summary and topic list help your episode get found for the questions it answers. They also give listeners a quick way to decide whether to press play, and a place to find the links they heard mentioned.
What this costs at Stimulate
See our pricing page for current prices, or book a free discovery call.
Frequently asked questions
Are show notes included in Essentials?
Yes. Show notes are included in every package.
Do show notes include timestamps?
Yes. Timestamps are part of our standard format.
Can you match my brand voice?
Yes. We follow the tone you set on the discovery call.
Next steps
See packages and pricing, or book a free 30-minute discovery call and we'll map out what your show needs.
Related: Podcast Editing · Podcast Clips · Podcast Questions