Digging into Episode Structure

We’re back for season 3 of the Business Podcast Blueprint Show! My first guest this season is my business partner, Audra Casino, and we’re going to dive into the crucial aspect of podcasting that often goes overlooked - show structure. Audra and I are going to talk about the structure of a podcast episode and how it affects the listener's experience and the success of the podcast. Audra is an expert in this area, so we'll be discussing topics such as mic problems, show structure, episode segments, and the best way to improve your podcast performance consistently. 

You’ll hear us chat about:

Recording the first ever episode of Business Podcast Blueprint Show with the wrong microphone. We now use this mishap to illustrate the importance of having the right mic selected to ensure good sound quality in a podcast recording.

Banter is a way for podcast hosts and guests to bond and create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, but it can also be harmful if it crosses the line into inappropriate or insensitive territory. 

You can view the structure of your podcast episode as the bones of your show, and as a template that you can use for every episode. A basic structure can be modeled after an essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Recording each segment separately gives more control over the content, making it easier to write a better intro, deliver on promises made in the intro, and create cohesive episodes.

Repurposing content is a power tip. When recording video content, little segments can be treated as repurposing content and can be used in various ways.

Three types of business podcast blueprints: 

A Thought Leadership podcast is focused on promoting the speaker's reputation and intellectual property. Thought-provoking, informative, and educational content that is relevant to their industry is the best for a thought leadership podcast. Segments on current events, trends, and hot topics within the industry are ideal for this type of podcast. 

The Audience Engagement style: answer listener questions to make the audience feel seen and heard. Engage directly with the audience and incorporate listener questions, either written or recorded. You can also have a segment where listeners can introduce themselves and talk about why they like the podcast. Other tips include encouraging participation on social media.

Relationship Building style: This is about creating a "flywheel of new connections" through guest appearances and hosting others on their own podcast. Relationship building is a common goal for businesses podcasting as a marketing channel. Serve the audience with good content while also giving guests a chance to shine. A speed round or personal anecdotes can be a great way to build relationships. Allowing guests to think about questions beforehand also helps them put their best foot forward.

Solo episodes can be used to create content that can be easily repurposed on social media platforms.

Frontload planning for easier execution. Also, listen to finished episodes and write down observations about what works and what doesn't, to improve your show.

The Business Podcast Blueprint Show team at One Stone Creative invites you to their monthly strategy and networking sessions on the first Thursday of every month. These free sessions include trainings, Q&A, hot seats, and opportunities for networking. To learn more and register, visit OneStoneCreative.net/strategy.