A podcast outline template serves as a roadmap for hosts, outlining the structure and content of each episode. It provides a framework that helps you record a well-organized and engaging podcast.
Milanote lets you see your episode structure in a visual way—just like your wall of index cards, but portable. Easily drag and drop to rearrange the key points as your story comes to life. It's the perfect reference for recording a compelling episode.
This template is part of our guide on How to plan a podcast.
Whether you're a seasoned podcaster looking to enhance your production process or a newcomer eager to start your own show, follow this step-by-step guide to learn the modern process of outlining a podcast in Milanote, a free tool used by top creatives.
The Podcast Outline template contains empty notes for your ideas and talking points, placeholders for images, video and links.
Start by laying out the major topics or questions you know you want to cover. A great place to start is with the traditional storytelling structure of beginning, middle, and end. If you want to learn more about different ways to outline a story, check out our Story Outline templates.
Don't worry too much about the order or details yet, just get the main parts out of your head. This is a quick flexible way to brainstorm the centrepieces of your show.
Next, add a sentence or a bullet point for each talking point or question you might cover. There are no rules for how much detail to add, do what works best for you. You'll be referencing these as you record your podcast, so try and keep them short, snappy, and easy to scan as you're talking. They're the equivalent of cue cards you might use when giving a speech.
If you're stuck for ideas, it might be time to do some extra research on your topic. Use the free Podcast Research Template to organize your insights in one place.
Avoid writing out full sentences in your outline. Instead, use bullet points and keywords to represent your main talking points. This will prevent you from sounding scripted and allow for a more natural and conversational tone.
Seeing your episode at this level lets you make connections between themes and concepts you might otherwise miss if you wrote a script in a word document. Re-read your outline so far. Look for points that feel out of place. Perhaps your transitions need some tweaking or a topic appears without a proper introduction. Highlight areas that need more work and move points around to get the sequence just right.
Lastly, end your episode with a memorable conclusion that reinforces the main points and leaves your audience with a clear takeaway.
While imagery probably won't make an appearance in your podcast, this is a great technique for kickstarting new ideas. Experiment by adding images or video clips that relate to your topics. You can have them on-hand and reference the details when recording to tell a more vivid story. Try saving images from Google Images, Pinterest, or Milanote's built-in image library.
Copy the share link from Youtube, Vimeo, Soundcloud or many other services. Drag a link card onto your board, paste your link and press enter.
Remember, a well-crafted podcast outline sets the foundation for a successful and enjoyable episode. Take the time to prepare, and you'll be well on your way to delivering valuable content that keeps your audience coming back for more.
If you're starting a new show right now, use the free outline template below to start mapping it out or read our full guide on How to Plan a Podcast Episode.
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