How to Write a Perfect Podcast Description
You’re Invited!
If your podcast is a party, your podcast description is like the invitation. And your goal is to get the listener to RSVP. When your listener gets to the party, they'll decide if they want to hang around, but the description is what gets them in the door in the first place. Let's talk about writing a description that does just that.
Your podcast description should be short and sweet. In fact, you want it to be easily digestible and intriguing enough to get someone to press the play button. Your podcast itself will keep listeners around, the description just needs to invite them in the door.
Your podcast description should answer these three questions:
Who? Who was the host and who can we expect to hear on the podcast?
What? What is the format and focus of the podcast?
When? When can you hear new episodes?
When you're answering these three questions. Also consider what things a potential listener might search for. Make sure those keywords are included in the description.
Lastly, you want your description to match the tone of your show. Give the reader a sense of what they can expect when they press play. Think about the invitation metaphor. If you see script font and the letters are spelled out, you know what's going to be a fancy wedding. If you see zoo animals and confetti, you know it's a kid's birthday party.
Let's take a look at a couple examples from some of the most popular podcasts.
First, this is the description for the New York Times podcast, The Daily.
This is what the news should sound like the biggest stories of our time told by the best journalists in the world. Hosted by Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise. Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6am.
This is a great description because it answers our three questions. Who? Host Michael Barbaro, Sabrina Tavernise and the best journalists in the world. What? News and the biggest stories of our time. When? Twenty minutes a day, five days a week, ready by 6am. We also can get a sense of the show's tone. It's quick, factual and to the point.
Let's look at another one. This is the description of the podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend.
After 25 years at the Late Night desk, Conan realized the only people at his holiday party are the men and women who worked for him. Over the years and despite thousands of interviews, Conan has never made a real and lasting friendship with any of his celebrity guests. So he started a podcast to do just that. Deeper, unboundedly playful, and free from FCC regulations, Conan O'Brien needs a friend is a weekly opportunity for Conan to hang out with the people he enjoys most and perhaps find some real friendship along the way.
This one is a little longer but the way it's written matches the tone of the show. You can tell the show is funny because the description is funny. Again it answers our three questions. Who? Conan O'Brien and celebrity guests. What? Conan hanging out with the people he enjoys most. When? Weekly.