This week we’re continuing the conversation about solo podcast episodes! Last week we chatted about the benefits of solo podcast episodes, so this week we’re talking all about how to plan for solo podcast episodes! There are so many things to consider when you plan for solo podcast episodes, so I’m going to walk through how I plan for them. We’re starting with the big picture because this will come in handy when you’re planning ahead and after you’ve run through your initial content.
Clocking In with Haylee Gaffin is produced and brought to you by Gaffin Creative, a podcast production company for creative entrepreneurs. Learn more about our services at Gaffincreative.com, plus you’ll also find resources, show notes, and more for the Clocking In Podcast.
Mini Podcast Audit Challenge
If you have a podcast, don’t miss out on our upcoming podcast audit challenge from August 16-18th!
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Mic Check Society
Today’s episode is brought to you by Mic Check Society, a community for podcasters. Each month, I’m dropping an exclusive training, hosting a monthly hot-seat call and coworking sessions, plus you’ll get access to our Facebook group to connect with and network with other podcasters!
If you’re BRAND new to podcasting and want to get into a rhythm of working on solos and interviews, I suggest alternating to find a balance and give equal opportunity for you to grow in both areas.
Big Picture Planning
Now, First things first, we want to look at the big picture of your podcast—are you planning any big launches or trying to drive traffic to a specific resource? By making note of that, you can better plan content around your marketing plans.
After you’ve established those driving factors, consider content that will pair well with those and allow you to drive traffic to them. It doesn’t always have to match, but it makes things a little easier in your planning if you do.
For example, back in episode 54, I talked about podcast pitches and guest communication. While this was a topic I’d wanted to cover for a while, I created email communication templates for pitches and guests that I wanted to market as a resource to my listeners. While the entire episode wasn’t a sales pitch, essentially what I did was offer guidance through a problem that many hosts face. Then I provided a built-in solution if the listener didn’t want to do the work I’d walked them through.
Create a Title and Hook
Next, I want you to establish a title for your episode and jot down a hook—what is one thing that a listener will walk away knowing after they listen? This is helpful for you to build out the episode.
Prepare for Your Episode
It’s time to sit down and really prepare for your episode.
There are a few approaches to take with this. You can choose whether or not you want to script your episodes, I dive into scripting in Episode 062 if you are considering scripting. But, to start you should definitely build an outline.
Consider any introductions you have to make in the show, like vocabulary, background information, or even personal stories you want to plug in there.
Make very specific points through your outline and know where you want to go next in the episode.
I always encourage actionable steps within the episode. For example, in this episode, I’ve walked you through some key steps to take in preparing for your episodes, but in other episodes, they may not be as tactical. It could be a mindset episode or informative with no action, but you can always create those steps to encourage your audience to take a look at whatever topic it is that you’re discussing and do something today that will shift in their own life.
Lastly, make sure that you’re actually passionate about the episode and that your audience will gain something from it.
It’s also important to note that solo episodes can be simple. They don’t need to be elaborate to make an impact. One reason I’ve been really intentional about my solo episodes being on the shorter side is that I want to make as much impact as possible in a small amount of time. I believe that offering quick episodes that are packed with knowledge and action can go so far for a listener, while also respecting their time.
Next week, we’re actually diving into podcast audits—so if you have a podcast, we’ll be discussing the value behind podcast audits, plus hosting a three-day mini podcast audit challenge from August 16-18th! Make sure you sign up for the challenge at gaffincreative.com/audit!
Join Mic Check Society
Now, if you’re using a podcast for your business and are looking for a resource to help you continue to grow your podcast in a way that serves your business, make sure you check out Mic Check Society. We have a community of podcasters sharing their questions, concerns, successes, and more in one Facebook group.
Members of Mic Check Society also have access to monthly training from industry experts, hot-seat calls with those experts, silent coworking sessions, and resources to help your podcast succeed.
Links Mentioned In Today’s Episode:
Mic Check Society
Episode 054
Episode 062
Podcast Audit
Catch The Show Notes:
Alternate (1:00)
Big Picture of Your Podcast (1:25)
Establish a Title and Hook (2:50)
Mic Check Society (3:20)
Prepare for Your Episode (4:29)
Build an Outline (4:45)
Have a Passion for the Episode (5:50)
Review the Transcript:
Welcome back friends, this week we’re continuing the conversation about solo podcast episodes! Last week we chatted about the benefits of solo podcast episodes, so this week we’re talking all about how to plan for solo podcast episodes!
There are so many things to consider when you plan for solo podcast episodes, so I’m going to walk through how I plan for them, starting with the big picture, because this will come in handy when you’re planning ahead and after you’ve run through that initial content you established for yourself.
If you’re BRAND new to podcasting and want to get into a rhythm of working on solos and interviews, I suggest alternating to find a balance and give equal opportunity for you to grow in both areas.
Now, First things first, we want to look at the big picture of your podcast—are you planning any big launches or trying to drive traffic to a specific resource? By making note of that, you can better plan content around your marketing plans.
After you’ve established those driving factors, consider content that will pair well with those and allow you to drive traffic to them. It doesn’t always have to match, but it makes things a little easier in your planning if you do. For example, back in episode 54 I talked about podcast pitches and guest communication. While this was a topic I’d wanted to cover for a while, I had created email communication templates for pitches and guests that I wanted to market as a resource to my listeners. While the entire episode wasn’t a sales pitch, essentially what I did was offer guidance through a problem that many hosts face and then provided a built in solution if the listener didn’t want to do the work I’d walked them through.
Next I want you to establish a title for your episode and jot down a hook—what is one thing that a listener will walk away knowing after they listen. This is helpful for you to build out the episode.
Those are the first three steps you need to take to plan your content. When we come back from the break, we’ll walk through mapping out your solo podcast episodes!
It’s time to sit down and really prepare for your episode—There are a few approaches to take with this, whether you want to script your episodes or not, and I do talk all about scripting episodes in episode 62 so make sure you take a listen if you’re considering scripting. But to start, you want to build an outline.
Consider any introductions you have to make in the show, like vocabulary, background information, or even personal stories you want too plug in there.
Make very specific points through your outline and know where you want to go next in the episode.
I always encourage actionable steps within the episode. For example, in this episode, I’ve walked you through some key steps to take in preparing for your episodes, but in other episodes they may not be as tactical. I could be a mindset episode or informative with no action, but you can always create those steps to encourage your audience to take a look at whatever topic it is that you’re discussing and do something today that will shift in their own life.
Lastly, make sure that you’re actually passionate about the episode and that your audience will gain something from it.
I know the last two episodes have been on the shorter side, but I also wanted to show you that solo episodes can be simple.. They don’t need to be elaborate to make an impact.
One reason I’ve been really intentional about my solo episodes being on the shorter side is because I want to make as much impact as possible in a small amount of time. I believe that offering quick episodes that are packed with knowledge and action can go so far for a listener, while also respecting their time.
Next week, we’re actually diving into podcast audits—so if you have a podcast, we’ll be discussing the value behind podcast audits, plus hosting a three day mini podcast audit challenge from August 16-18th! Make sure you sign up for the challenge at gaffincreative.com/audit! We’ll also link that in the show notes of today’s episode!
