Episode 40
The Script Show
June 10, 2016 · Mike Murphy
Ep40: THE SCRIPT SHOW To Script or Not to Script in Podcasting? Episode Summary: Why do I write a script for my podcast and what is my process?
Episode Summary: Why write a full script before recording? The 5 real benefits of scripting a podcast episode, plus the exact tools used to write and format every one.
What You’ll Learn
- Why submitting an RSS feed once to each directory is all a podcast ever needs
- 5 real benefits of writing a full script before recording
- How scripting turns into blog posts, tutorials, and eventually a book
- The two tools used to write scripts and format show notes
Ask Mike Anything: Will My Podcast Auto-Distribute to Every Directory?
Question: When I launch my podcast and submit it to iTunes, will my podcast automatically be distributed to all of the other podcast directories?
Answer: No. The RSS feed has to be submitted manually to each directory a show wants to appear in — but only once. Popular directories: iTunes, Stitcher, Spreaker, Google Play. Resource: Podcast Places lists submission links for every major directory. Bottom line: submit the RSS feed once per directory, and every new episode published after that updates each directory automatically.
Benefits of Writing a Podcast Script
- Preparation. Writing a script forces real homework and research up front — by the time it’s done, the material is known inside and out, which makes recording day far less stressful.
- Recording time. Working off a script (and rehearsing while writing it) makes recording dramatically more efficient — fewer “umms” and “ahhs,” less re-taking.
- Knowledge & authority. The act of writing forces a deeper understanding of the topic than talking through it off the cuff ever would.
- Writing skill. Podcasting has meant a lot of practice at a completely new, more technical and organized style of writing than college English ever demanded.
- Repurposing power. A finished script becomes the raw material for blog posts, Medium articles, tutorials, vlogs — and eventually, a book.
Tools Used to Write the Script
Scrivener is the writing tool of choice for the script itself. Byword is the multi-markdown app used to format the show notes afterward.