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Podcast Show Notes Template (With Sections That Drive Engagement)

Copy/paste show notes templates for your podcast, including a “leave a voice message” section that boosts engagement and fuels mailbag episodes.

5 min read

TL;DR

Great show notes make your podcast easier to follow, easier to share, and easier to grow.

  • Use a consistent structure so listeners know where to look
  • Put the most important links near the top (including your voicemail link)
  • Add timestamps for long episodes
  • Use a “call the show” section to collect questions and stories
  • Try whatayarn to collect voice messages

Show notes are where engaged listeners take action.
If your CTA is buried, your engagement will be too.

Launching your show? Start with How to Start a Podcast in 2026 .

The show notes structure that works

Every episode should have:

  1. A 1-2 sentence summary
  2. Key links (top of the notes)
  3. Timestamps (if relevant)
  4. Resources mentioned
  5. A clear call-to-action (voicemail link, newsletter, etc.)

Podcast show notes template (copy/paste)

Use this as your default and customize the headings for your show.

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Engagement sections that actually drive replies

1) “Call the show” (voicemail CTA)

This is the simplest engagement engine:

  • You ask one specific question
  • Listeners reply in their own voice
  • You play the best answers on the next episode

Full voicemail workflow: How to Add Voicemail to Your Podcast.

2) “One-minute prompt”

Use a time limit to reduce listener hesitation:

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3) “Story of the week”

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Where show notes appear (and why consistency matters)

  • Spotify episode info
  • Apple Podcasts episode description
  • Your podcast website
  • Most podcast apps

If you’re optimizing show notes for discovery, start here: Podcast SEO Checklist.

Full guide: Podcast SEO.

Checklist to Get Started

  • ✅ Create a reusable show notes template (don’t start from scratch each time)
  • ✅ Move your most important links near the top
  • ✅ Add a “call the show” section with a whatayarn link
  • ✅ Ask one specific prompt per episode
  • ✅ Feature the first few voice messages so listeners know it’s real

FAQs about show notes

Final Word

Show notes are not admin work. They’re your conversion page inside every podcast app.

If you want the easiest engagement section to add today: Create a whatayarn voicemail link

Podcast Show Notes Template (With Sections That Drive Engagement) | whatayarn blog