Free takeaway: Episode planning and production checklist

Worked example to compare with: Defining a show for local business owners

• Audience: owners of small shops with one to five staff.
• Promise: one practical marketing idea they can use this week.
• Format: 15-minute interview with a local owner, every Tuesday.
• One-sentence pitch: "Every week, a local owner shares one marketing move that worked."
• Check: can a stranger say what the show is after one sentence?

Worked example to compare with: Choosing between three names

• "Business Talk": too generic.
• "The Main Street Marketing Show": clear and local.
• "Zyx Radio": hard to say or spell.
• Choose: the second and check availability across platforms.
• Plan: 10 episodes recorded before launch so there is a buffer.

Worked example to compare with: Template for an interview

• Opening line: "Today we're talking with [name] about [topic]."
• Question 1: How did you start?
• Question 2: What is one move that worked?
• Question 3: What would you do differently?
• Closing: "Where can listeners find you?"
• Check: print the template and keep it next to the microphone.

Worked example to compare with: Improving a room for free

• Problem: the recording sounds echoey.
• Fix: record in a small room with soft furnishings, or hang blankets nearby.
• Test: record 20 seconds and listen with headphones.
• Result to look for: clearer, warmer sound without buying anything.

Worked example to compare with: An editing checklist for a 20-minute episode

• Pass 1: remove false starts and long silences. Aim for natural, not robotic.
• Pass 2: level voices so both speakers sound equally loud.
• Pass 3: add music at a low volume under the intro.
• Pass 4: export an MP3 and listen to the first and last minute on a phone.
• Result to look for: an episode that sounds clean on small speakers.

Worked example to compare with: Turning a script into bullets

• Script: "Today I would like to discuss the importance of customer reviews for small businesses."
• Bullets: reviews build trust, ask at the right time, reply to every review.
• Opening line: "Do you ask customers for reviews? Let's make it easier."
• Check: record the first minute and listen for a natural pace.

Worked example to compare with: Choosing a theme

• Needs: a 10-second intro that sounds friendly and professional.
• Search: a royalty-free library for upbeat instrumental tracks.
• Check: the license allows commercial podcast use and tells you how to credit.
• Test: play it under your voice and confirm every word is still clear.

Worked example to compare with: Testing the cover

• Make: a square cover with the title in large bold type on a plain color.
• Shrink: view it at about the size of a thumbnail on a phone.
• Check: can you read the title and understand the topic?
• Result to look for: a cover that stands out in a list of shows.

Worked example to compare with: Choosing a host

• Compare: storage and upload limits, statistics, price and ease of moving to another host.
• Choose: one with free export of your files and feed.
• Launch: with three episodes available at once.
• Check: confirm the feed works by subscribing in two apps.

Worked example to compare with: Writing show notes

• Title: "How a local baker doubled weekday sales".
• Summary: two sentences on what listeners will learn.
• Timestamps: 0:30 Introduction, 3:10 The first change, 12:40 What did not work.
• Links: the bakery's website and the tool mentioned.
• Result to look for: a page that someone could read and decide to listen.