🎤 Is Twitter Dead? No, but ... (Issue 210)  December 6th 2024

The 3-Step Writing Framework to Become a Better Podcaster

This is a long video, about an hour, with some things that will help you with your podcast production, specifically with content.

I went through it for you and my highlights, transposed for podcasters, are below. Everything here applies to your spoken word content and putting just a couple of these elements into your podcast production process will help you attract more people to your podcast and keep them engaged with it.

Why Writing Matters

You might not consider what you do with your podcast to be writing, but planning (and outlining) your episode) is the same thing here.

1. Persuasion: Words are a powerful tool for persuasion, allowing one to communicate ideas clearly and effectively to a wide audience.
2. Clarity of Thought: Writing (or planning/outlining) forces clarity in thinking. The process of writing helps individuals clarify their thoughts and generate new ideas, leading to better problem-solving.
3. Idea Generation: Writing (or planning/outlining) is not just about communication; it also generates new ideas.

Related Tactics for Becoming a Better Podcaster

1. Start with the End in Mind: Before recording an episode, during the planning stage, determine the desired reaction and action from the audience. This helps shape the content effectively.
2. Copy Others: Emulate the delivery styles of podcasters or episodes that resonate with you. This practice helps improve your flow and style.
3. Drafting and Incubation: Allow drafts to sit for a while before editing. This incubation period can lead to fresh insights and improvements in the final product.
4. Editing: Great episodes comes from great editing. Separate drafting and editing phases to enhance quality.
5. Use Simple Language: Clarity and simplicity are key. The words you use should be accessible, avoiding jargon or overly complex vocabulary.
6. Curiosity Gap: Create intrigue in your opening lines (including the titles of your episodes) to encourage listeners to continue engaging with your content.
7. Speak Like You Talk: Use conversational language to connect with listeners on a personal level, making your episodes feel more relatable. This sounds obvious, but a lot of podcasters overlook this and try to be a "radio announcer" rather than a friend.

Storytelling Techniques

• Good storytelling involves characters with clear intentions facing obstacles. This structure keeps listeners engaged and invested in the outcome.
• You can be the character. Your guests or co-host can be characters. Use storytelling to get people engaged with you as a person and care about your success (or failure).