S18E6: Getting Started ~ Workflow for a Scripted Solo Episode

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If you’re considering starting a podcast—or already have one—you might be drawn to the simplicity and control of the scripted solo host format. No interviews to schedule, no guest audio to fix, no back-and-forth editing—just you, your mic and your message.

But while this format sounds streamlined (and it is), there’s still a thoughtful workflow behind each episode. Whether you’re telling stories, teaching concepts or guiding listeners through ideas, crafting a solo episode takes structure, planning and creativity.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the end-to-end process I follow for producing a single scripted, host-read podcast episode—from idea to final publication.

1. Ideation: Start With a Purpose

Every episode starts with a solid idea—and behind that idea, a purpose.

When I sit down to plan an episode, I ask myself:

What do I want the listener to feel, learn or do after hearing this?
How does this topic align with my overall show or content goals?
Is this a bonus episode or part of the season I’m currently working on?

A clear focus helps shape the script later and gives the listener a strong takeaway. I keep a running list of ideas in a Google Sheet and I revisit it regularly to prioritise based on timeliness, interest or audience feedback.

2. Outlining and Scripting

Once I’ve chosen the topic, I move into outlining. Even with scripted episodes, I never go straight into writing. Instead, I sketch out:

A strong opening hook
2–3 key supporting points
Anecdotes, analogies or examples
A closing thought or call to action

Then comes the script. I write the way I speak—conversationally, with short lines, contractions and intentional pacing. I also use formatting tricks:

Line breaks for natural pauses
Bold or CAPS for emphasis
[PAUSE] or [LAUGH] reminders for tone cues

Most of my episodes land between 1,100–1,200 words which typically translates to 10 – 11 (plus or minus) minutes of spoken content.

Scripting gives me precision and confidence while recording and it ensures every episode hits the points I want to make—especially important if I’m telling a story or delivering a lesson.

3. Voice Preparation and Recording

Before I hit record, I read through the script out loud after a coffee break. This helps:

Smooth out any awkward phrasing
Check for flow and rhythm
Gets me into the right vocal tone

I record in a quiet, treated space, using the Rode NT-USB mini mic. I always do a short mic check first to make sure levels are clean.

Then I record—usually in one or two takes. If I mess up, I pause, clap (to make it easy to find later) and start the sentence again. No need to stress. The magic happens in editing.

4. Editing and Post-Production

I record directly into Hindenburg, level the audio through Auphonic and then edit back in Hindenburg. Auphonic suggests leveling last but I do it in this order for consistency and it works.

Here’s my editing checklist:

Remove flubs, filler words or awkward pauses
Smooth transitions and pacing
Add my outro and any other SFX which I can count on one hand in the past 9 years. Less is more.

If I scripted well and stayed on point during the recording, editing is usually straightforward. The key is to keep the episode sounding natural, informative and entertaining.

5. Show Notes and Episode Description

Next, I move on to writing the show notes and description. This is where I help the listener understand what the episode is about—and direct them to links I’ve mentioned in the episode.

My show notes typically include:

A contact email
Any links or resources mentioned
A CTA – usually my free checklist for starting a show
A link to the transcript, already available as the episode is scripted.

This text also helps with SEO, so I’m mindful of keywords related to the episode topic.

6. Uploading and Scheduling

Once the audio is ready and notes are finalized, I upload the episode to my hosting platform Libsyn.

I double-check:

Publish date and time
Show notes formatting

If I’m working within a seasonal format, I batch several episodes ahead of time and schedule them to go live weekly. This frees me up to focus on engagement, promotion and planning the next season.

7. Promotion and Repurposing

Publishing the episode is just the beginning. Now it’s time to get it in front of ears.

Here’s my typical post-launch workflow:

Write a short LinkedIn post or thread about the episode
Time the blog post (Transcript) to publish as the episode does
Publish a version of the transcript as the newsletter on LinkedIn scheduled for two days after the episode.

Because the episode is scripted, repurposing becomes very efficient. I already have a polished transcript ready to go—I just reshape it for the platform or format.

8. Review and Reflection

After the episode’s been out for a few days or a week, I check in with metrics and feedback:

Listener numbers and drop-off rates
Comments, DMs or shares
How the content resonated (or didn’t)

I jot down a few notes: What worked? What would I change next time? Did the hook land? Did the CTA drive action?

This mini-retrospective helps each episode become a learning experience and fuels ideas for future episodes.

Final Thoughts: Sustainable, Purposeful Creation

Scripted, solo podcasting is a powerful medium. It gives you full creative control and lets your voice carry the message—literally and metaphorically. But it’s also a craft and like all good crafts, it benefits from structure.

Following a repeatable, intentional workflow helps you:

Stay consistent
Avoid creative burnout
Deliver higher-quality content
Make podcasting part of your long-term strategy

Whether you’re a business owner, educator or creative professional, podcasting can be more than a platform—it can be a cornerstone of your content ecosystem. And it all starts with one good episode, well made. And where possible options for reaching people seem to multiply daily, a well thought out, professionally delivered podcast builds authority, especially the authority of the solo host, more quickly and deeply than any other medium. We get to speak to many people, one at a time, all at once, directly into their ears.

Thinking of starting your own podcast?
I’m always happy to share tools or tips—or help you shape a process that works for your goals and show.

Let’s keep the mics warm and the stories flowing. 🎙️