How to Write a Podcast Show Description in Six Easy Steps
Your podcast description is an important part of the sales pitch that turns potential viewers/listeners into actual audience members. Also known as the “podcast summary” or “show summary” - it’s the little blurb that’s displayed alongside your show’s title and artwork in every podcast app. Here’s how to write one.
Note: The podcast description is different from episode descriptions or show notes. The podcast description relates your whole podcast series, not any one individual episode.
Selling Your Show
Your show is the perfect fit for somebody out there (hopefully several somebodies!) — but if they don’t find it and press “play” or “follow” they’ll never know it. The show description helps make this happen in two ways:
Disconverability: Your podcast description can make your show more findable through SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Make sure your description includes words your potential audience might be searching for.
Closing the Deal: Keywords are important, but your descrition needs to be a compelling sales pitch for those who find it but are still on the fence about diving in. Your podcast description should convince them to watch or listen.
Limited Formatting
Before diving into how to write a great podcast show description, you should be aware that podcast descriptions are mostly limited to plain text formatting.
Some apps allow for HTML links, bold, underline, and italics — but they don’t display properly in others. Line breaks are similarly inconsistently across apps.
Stick to plain text with line breaks and readable links in case they’re not clickable in certain apps (i.e. “visit popuppodcasting.ca” and NOT “visit our website”).
How Long Should a Podcast Description Be?
Our favourite video podcast hosting service, Spotify for Podcasters, allows up to 600 characters (~100 words) for the show description. Some hosting providers allow for up to 4000 characters, but we think that’s way too long, so stick with Spotify’s short and sweet limit instead. Consider how much you would read before deciding on a potential podcast.
Six Steps to a Winning Podcast Description:
Since your podcast description needs to appeal to your ideal viewer or listener, there’s no perfect cookie cutter template for creating one. These steps will get you moving in the right direction though:
Start with your Intro/Outro/Teaser Script:
If you’ve already followed our guide on Scripting Your Podcast Intro, Outro, and Teaser, then you’ve already put some thought into a concise sales pitch for your podcast — don’t let it go to waste! Use these scripted elements as a base to build your podcast show description. Make sure it answers the questions “why should I listen/watch?” and “why should I care?”.Frontload Important Information:
While you have about 100 words to make the case for you show, many podcast apps truncate descriptions after just 20-30 words (by adding a “read more” button that many won’t click). So be sure to hook your potential audience with a great first sentence!Consider Tone:
Match the tone of your description with the tone of your show. If you’re using your intro/outro/teaser script as a starting point, you’ve probably already done this — but it’s worth making sure readers inherently understand the show’s “vibe”.Consider SEO:
Naturally weave search terms your audience might be using into your podcast description. Incorporate them into the bottom half of the description if you feel they’re reducing readability in the critical first couple of sentences. Always remember that we’re creating a piece of quick and punchy marketing for humans, not a word salad of search terms.Make it Scannable:
Those reading your podcast description won’t give it 100% of their attention, so be sure the text is easy to scan and read. Shorten sentences, use simple language, and create short paragraphs with double line breaks.Tighten It Up:
Check your work against the 600 character limit imposed by Spotify for Podcasters. Even if you’re under the limit, consider removing unnecessary words that make the content slower to absorb. Reading aloud can help identify run-on sentences and other problem areas.
Your podcast description may now be done - but remember that it isn’t permanent. Like every aspect of your podcast, the description will likely evolve over time as the show changes. Update your description anytime with your podcast host to keep it relevant.