Episode 279 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer

0:02 - Scripting vs. Outlining — Which is Better?
1:10 - Why Building Influence Is Not What You Say But How You Say It
2:37 - Why Engagement Alone Won’t Drive Sales
4:29 - The Secret to Staying Motivated as a Podcast Host
7:55 - How to Structure Episodes That Reflect Your Real Personality

Scripting a Podcast vs. Outlining — Which is Better?

Should you script your podcast episodes, or is it better to outline? It’s a valid question, and the answer ultimately depends on what’s more important to you: converting your listeners to leads and clients, or simply sounding polished and professional.

Studies show that podcast hosts are now considered seven times more influential than celebrity or social media influencers. But just because you hit “publish” on an episode, doesn’t mean that you have influence. Building real influence as a podcast host is about how you communicate, not just what you say. That’s why in this post, we’re diving into the pros and cons of scripting vs. outlining so you can decide which approach is better — not just for you, but for your listeners. So if you’re ready to learn how to create deeper connections that lead to raving fans who can't help but share your episodes (and whether scripting a podcast or outlining your episodes is the better way to build real influence as a podcast host), read on.

Why Building Influence Is Not What You Say, But How You Say It

Many podcast hosts get caught up in the mechanics of episode prep, stressing over scripting a podcast as if "getting the words just right" is the secret to growing their show and connecting with more listeners. I've been there — meticulously writing down every single word, convinced that if I didn’t nail the “perfect” phrasing, listeners would see me as anything but an expert. Spoiler alert: that approach only kept my listeners from seeing me as an expert. (The real issue? I was missing the one key thing that makes people see you as an expert or a thought leader: self-confidence).

I thought if I could just follow the script perfectly, I would project authority and credibility. But the reason that I was so hung up on scripting my podcast was because I lacked confidence — and no amount of script could mask the self-doubt that listeners were unconsciously picking up on in my voice. 

Because if 93% of communication is non-verbal and only 7% are the actual words you say, this means that listeners will pick up on what you’re not saying more than the actual words themselves. The irony was that the more I focused on getting the words right, the less genuine and less confident I sounded — and that right there is a recipe for losing your audience.

Why Engagement Alone Won’t Drive Sales

There’s a lot you can do to grab someone’s attention, but think about it: you can have tons of likes and shares, but if listeners don’t feel a genuine connection with you, they’re unlikely to convert into clients. Connection is the pre-req for building trust, and it’s trust that drives conversions. Which is why engagement and connection are not the same thing. So, how do we connect? Through our voices.

Since the beginning of time, the voice has served as a powerful tool for connection. In podcasting, the rapport you build through your voice is what makes listeners feel connected to you (or not). Think of it like this: when you meet someone new at a conference, there are some people you instantly click with, and others you don’t. But imagine having these same conversations over an old-school phone with no visual cues. You've got nothing else to go by except what they say and how they say it. And how they say what they say is going to be the thing that makes you feel connected to them or not.

This is especially important in today’s podcasting landscape, where adding video has become all the rage. Sure, flashy captions and visuals can draw people in, but they can also distract from the heart of your message. When you strip all that away, what are you left with? Your voice.

Podcasting is, and always will be, an audio-first medium. Which means your voice is your ultimate tool that defines your influence or impact. So if you’re podcasting because you want to be influential, you have a message you want to share and you want to build a movement around that message, then how you deliver your content matters more than the delivery mechanism itself.

The Secret to Staying Motivated as a Podcast Host

There’s actually no secret: podcasting is not for the faint-of-heart. Some weeks, you feel like a rockstar, and other times it’s a struggle just to get behind the mic. Many podcasters launch their shows with the goal of growing an audience or building authority but let’s be honest—those surface-level goals won’t keep you going when the going gets tough.

If you’re podcasting, what’s your endgame? It needs to be deeper than just growing an audience or getting more clients or building your authority. Those things are great, but what does growing an audience allow you to do? What does getting more clients give you? Whatever your answer is, why is that important to you? What does that do for you personally? Keep asking yourself these questions until you reach the heart of your motivation—the real “why.”

Every podcast host or business owner needs to wrestle with these questions. If you haven’t nailed down your deeper motivation yet, now’s the time to roll up your sleeves and figure it out.

For me, I have both an internal and external driver that fuels my podcasting journey. (Having both is key). Given my personal voice history, podcasting is a way for me to challenge myself every day to use my voice to help others and create meaningful change in the world. And by extension, to help others use their voices to create meaningful change in the world.

Once you pinpoint your deeper reason, the next step is figuring out what you need to fulfill that purpose. Chances are, you’re going to need listeners — and those listeners need to trust you. To build that trust, they have to feel a genuine connection with you. So, let’s circle back to the essential question: How do you build that connection?

How to Structure Episodes That Reflect Your True Personality

So, how do you structure your episodes in a way that reflects who you are while also connecting with your audience? The key is to find a balance that allows your natural personality to come through. For some, scripting every word feels like a safety net, while others find it too confining. Sure, a script can help you hit your points, but it can also limit your ability to engage in real-time with your listeners. If you’re too focused on "delivering" your script, you might miss those golden opportunities to connect through a personal anecdote or an unexpected but important thought.

This doesn’t mean your episodes should lack a central focus or structure. Speaking of which, if the thought of recording an episode without your script makes you want to hide under the covers, check out Episode 236, where I break down my high-converting episode framework. This structure will keep you on topic while allowing your personality to shine. It’s designed to help you convert listeners, whether you're directing them to your email list, programs, or other offers.

But here’s the crux: the script or the outline don’t matter as much as you think they do. Because now you know that polished delivery is not the first thing listeners want. What they want is to feel like they know the real you. So, should you script or outline? That’s ultimately a question only you can answer. The best path forward is the one that allows you to underscore who you really are. 

In the end, whether you’re scripting a podcast episode or outlining it, remember that your ultimate goal is to create meaningful connections with your audience. Focus on delivering your message in the way that’s most authentic to you, and you’ll be able to build greater influence — which chances are, is at least part of the deeper reason why you’re podcasting in the first place.

By the way, if you want more free advice on starting a podcast, growing your podcast, or turning more of your listeners into clients (how about all of the above?) make sure you’re following Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss a new episode. 

Or if you’re an established coach or consultant who’s ready to launch or scale your podcast and want our proven strategy to reach more new listeners and turn those listeners into leads and clients, book a free strategy call with our team to find out if you’re a fit for PodLaunch® — we’re here to help.

Up Next: 

In the next episode, we’re diving deep into the right (and wrong) ways to use paid ads to grow your show, including why jumping into paid ads too soon can lead to wasted dollars and disappointing results — and how building a solid organic growth engine first is the key to making your ad dollars count. So if you’re wondering if and when it’s the right time to invest in ads (or how to turn paid traffic into a loyal podcast audience) don’t miss the next episode.