Lesson 8: Scripting & Structuring Episodes
How to keep your listeners hooked from start to finish
Hey Besties!
Ever listened to a podcast that felt meandering—like a road trip with no map? Don’t let that be your show! A little scripting and structure go a long way in keeping your listeners engaged (and coming back for more).
Scripting & structuring 101
📝 Writing engaging intros
Your intro is like a first date—you want to make a great impression fast. Shorter intros tend to fare better when it comes to audience retention. I aim to get into the actual meat and potatoes of the episode within the first 90 seconds whenever possible.
⏰ Make your first few minutes count! According to data analysis by Nick DePrey, Innovation Accountant at NPR One, a typical podcast episode loses between 20% and 35% of its listeners within the first five minutes. The good news? If they’re still listening after that, they’re likely to finish the episode.
Hot tip: Skip the casual catch-up with your co-host (unless your audience is truly tuning in for that banter). Instead, hook listeners right away with a compelling question, a bold statement, or a juicy tease of what’s to come.
Here are a few ways to start strong:
Cold opens: Drop listeners into an intriguing clip from the episode before your intro music rolls. I do this on The Bleeders—a few striking guest soundbites strung together with narration to set up the conversation.
Guest introductions: If you’re featuring a guest, get to them quickly. On Private Parts Unknown, I briefly set up the episode’s theme, then have the guest introduce themselves with a short slate before diving in.
Teasers: Pose a provocative question or thought experiment that the episode will explore. For example: “What if I told you your podcast intro is scaring people away? Let’s fix that.”
Short roadmaps: Provide a quick preview of what’s ahead, highlighting key topics, stories, or takeaways. Just don’t linger—brevity is your friend.