So, you’ve decided to take the leap and start a podcast. You’ve booked in at Bulletproof Studios (because why would you go anywhere else), your podcast concept is locked in.

You’ve researched, you’re passionate, and you know exactly what you want to share with the world. But… what about that first episode?

Don’t sweat it. This initial hurdle trips up tonnes of podcast newbies. After all, for many it’s your first impression on your audience, a chance to connect with them in a whole new way.

(Also, if this isn’t the case and you aren’t at that stage yet, don’t freak out, head over to our hints and tips page and we can help you get there).

Here's the good news: there is no one-size-fits-all approach. This is your podcast, and you get to make it your own!

But if you are feeling a little lost, then we are here to help with some first-episode tips to get you going.

Preparation Makes Perfect:

You might be a pro at winging it and if you are then feel free to try it, but  take it from us, recording a podcast episode – especially your first one – will go a lot more smoother if you do some prep work before hand.

To avoid rambling (especially common on those earlier episodes!), write a podcast outline or a rough script. Even just bullet points can work wonders for keeping your flow smooth.

Working with a co-host? Brainstorm ideas together or share your outline before hand so you are both on the same page and ready to go.

Remember, the script isn’t meant to be set in stone. You don’t want to sound like you are reading a book report. But a solid structure will keep things moving and engaging.

Start with the end in mind. What’s the purpose of each episode? What’s the takeaway that you want your listeners to have? Picture your target audience while creating an outline can be really helpful.

So, how should you structure that first episode? Here are our tips...

• Welcome Aboard: Greet your audience, welcome them to the show and introduce yourself. Who are you and give a taste of background info.

• The Spark: Share what inspired you to start a podcast and what excites you about starting it.

• Podcast Focus: What is the main topic of the podcast? Briefly explain what listeners can expect to learn or discover. Don’t be afraid to get personal! Share your “why” and connect with your audience by taking them on the journey.

• Format and Style: Will it be solo episodes? Interviews? Or a mix? Will you have a co-host? Give the listeners a sense of the format and vibe?

• Inspiration and Passion: What sparked your interest in your podcast topic? Why are you passionate about sharing it with others?

• Unique angle: What sets your podcast apart from others on similar themes? Is there a specific niche or perspective you’ll bring?

• Episode Cadence: How often will you release new episodes? Briefly talk about when/how often people can expect to hear your episode

• Listener Interaction: How can listeners connect with you and the podcast? Mention your social media handles or website if applicable to grow your audience and community further.

• A Taste of What’s Ahead: Is there a specific topic or guest you’ll be featuring in the first few episodes? Give listeners a taste of what to expect. Explain the topics that you’ll be covering in upcoming episodes – why they should listen

• Call to Action: What do you want listeners to do after they listen to the episode? Encourage them to subscribe, share or leave feedback.  

• Conclusion – say goodbye, thank for listening and share where people can find more: website, social media, podcast platforms, mailing lists.

Doesn’t sound so scary now that it’s written out, does it?

And if you do need some extra tips or example questions to guide you we’ve thrown them in too:

Example questions to spark inspiration:

• Who are you?

• Why this podcast?

• What’s your driving force?

• What makes you, you?

Digging into your Podcast Focus:

• What common misconception about your topic do you want to debunk?

• What’s the biggest challenge people face related to your topic, and how can your podcast help?

• Who is your ideal listener, and what value will they get from your show?

For example, questions if your podcast was on Building Mental Resilience, you might want to ask yourself...

• Three lessons I've learned from my failures

• Five mistakes I made when building my first business

• Five habits I do to make me more successful

And to really get those creative juices flowing, we've prepared an example into script for you to help bat away any writers block... So here are some building blocks you can use to design your own podcast template:

Intro: (Grab their attention from the jump!):

“Hey there and welcome to [podcast title], a podcast about [insert tag line of concept of show]. I’m [insert name] your host, and we bring you new episodes every [insert day.]

In today’s episode, we dive into [insert talking points/highlights]. We’ll be uncovering [tease a key takeaway].

Call to Action (leave them wanting more):

Don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and subscribe on YouTube if you listen there.

I hope you enjoy the episode!

*Remember, this is just a jumping-off point. Inject your personality*

TOP TIP: Don’t worry if you fumble over your words or stop and start again – that is the beauty of editing. We can fix that and make it sound as smooth as honey!

We don’t expect you to come out of that first episode with no cuts or edits, it takes most people a good few episodes to get into the rhythm and feel the groove. If you wait to feel good about each episode before you publish, I guarantee you will never have a podcast. So just get it out there, let the world find it and use it to continually improve your podcast over time.

So hit record, share your voice, and get ready to create something pretty amazing!

For more hints and tips to help you on your podcasting journey, check out more of our blogs.

And if you need a studio to record or a team of pretty cool people to edit it for you – you know where we are…

Find out more about podcasting at Bulletproof Studios.