Podcast script for solo or interview episodes
A fully written script sounds stiff, and no plan at all turns into rambling. This prompt asks your todo.is agent for the middle ground: a timed outline with a word-for-word cold open and intro, talking points for each segment, guest questions in a good order, and a clean outro.
The prompt
- Write a podcast script for an episode of [PODCAST NAME] about [EPISODE TOPIC]. Format: [SOLO OR INTERVIEW WITH GUEST NAME]. Target length: [MINUTES] minutes. My listeners are [WHO LISTENS]. Research the topic and give me 3 facts or examples with sources I can mention. Then write: a cold open of 2 to 3 sentences word for word, an intro with the episode promise, 3 or 4 segments with timings and bullet talking points (not full paragraphs), 10 guest questions ordered from easy to deep if there is a guest, a spot for [SPONSOR OR "NO SPONSOR"], and an outro with my call to action: [CALL TO ACTION]. Write how I talk: [YOUR STYLE]. Save it as a Word file I can read from while recording.
What to change
- [PODCAST NAME]: e.g. "Side Project Club".
- [EPISODE TOPIC]: e.g. "getting your first 100 customers without ads".
- [SOLO OR INTERVIEW WITH GUEST NAME]: e.g. "solo" or "interview with Priya Nair, founder of Loomly".
- [MINUTES]: e.g. 25. Your agent times each segment to fit.
- [WHO LISTENS]: e.g. "people building a business next to a full-time job".
- [SPONSOR OR "NO SPONSOR"]: Sponsor name and the main point to read, or "no sponsor".
- [CALL TO ACTION]: e.g. "leave a review" or "join the newsletter".
- [YOUR STYLE]: e.g. "casual, a bit nerdy, short sentences".
Example result
- Episode: Your first 100 customers without ads (25 min, solo)
- Cold open (word for word)
- "My first customer came from a comment I almost did not post. Customer number 100 came from that same habit, just repeated. Today I am going to show you the habit."
- Intro (0:00–2:00)
- "Welcome to Side Project Club, the show for people building something after work. I am Dan. In the next 25 minutes you will get three ways to find your first 100 customers with zero ad budget, and one thing to do tonight."
- Segment 1: Go where they already complain (2:00–8:00)
- • Forums, subreddits and review sites are full of people describing your problem
- • Story: how I found my first 10 users in one forum thread
- • How to help first and mention your product only when it fits
- • Mention source example 1
- Segment 2: Do things that do not scale (8:00–15:00)
- • Onboard the first 20 users by hand, on a call
- • Write a personal email to every sign-up
- • Why this gives you testimonials and the exact words for your website
- • Mention source example 2
- Sponsor (15:00–16:00)
- Read the sponsor’s main point in your own words. Keep it under 60 seconds.
- Segment 3: Borrow an audience (16:00–22:00)
- • Guest on small podcasts and newsletters in your niche
- • Partner with a tool your customers already use
- • Mention source example 3
- Outro (22:00–25:00)
- • Recap the three ideas in one sentence each
- • Tonight’s task: find one thread where people describe your problem and leave a helpful answer
- • "If this helped, leave a review. It is the only ad this show runs."
- Recording notes
- • Read the cold open and intro as written, then talk freely from the bullets.
- • Mark any number you mention and double-check it before you publish.
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in the [brackets] for this episode.
- Paste it into todo.is or send it to your agent on Telegram or Slack.
- Your agent researches the topic and returns a timed script plus a Word file to read while recording.
- After you record, attach the audio and ask for show notes from the same chat.
Tips for a better result
- Script the first 60 seconds word for word. That is when most listeners decide to stay, and it is the part you are most likely to stumble on.
- Use bullets for the middle. Talking from points sounds natural; reading paragraphs sounds like reading.
- For interviews, start with an easy story question and save the hard or personal questions for the middle.
- Ask your agent to remember your show intro and outro so every new script keeps the same structure.
podcast script: FAQ
- Should a podcast be fully scripted? Most hosts script the opening, intro, sponsor read and outro, and use bullet points for the rest. That keeps it focused without sounding read.
- How many words is a 30-minute podcast script? People speak about 130 to 160 words a minute, so a fully written 30-minute episode is roughly 4,000 to 4,500 words. A bullet outline is much shorter.
- How do I write podcast interview questions? Research the guest, start with an easy story question, ask open questions that begin with how or why, and follow up on specific moments rather than general topics.
- Can todo.is record or edit my podcast? It does not record calls. You can attach the recording and your agent can trim it, join intro music, convert formats and write show notes.
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