A long paragraph announcing an exciting conversation does little for a listener trying to find the explanation they heard yesterday. Useful show notes give the episode a clear identity and a route back to its important moments.
Begin with the finished edit. Notes written from an earlier version may point to the wrong timestamp or describe a section that was removed.
State the question the episode addresses
Use a specific sentence rather than a string of promotional adjectives. An invented episode might ask how a neighbourhood repair group decides which items it can accept. That is more informative than calling the discussion inspiring and essential.
Introduce guests with verified names and relevant roles. Do not inflate a contributor’s credentials to make the episode sound more authoritative.
Choose timestamps that represent a new step
Mark the beginning of a useful explanation, example or change of topic. A timestamp every few seconds creates clutter. Use labels that make sense without having heard the episode.
Test each timestamp against the exported file and, where applicable, the published player. Intro music or platform additions can affect what a listener encounters.
Link to what was actually discussed
Check names, documents and resources against the conversation. Prefer the original source when available, and make the link text explain what it opens. A resource mentioned in passing should not appear to endorse the entire episode.
If a link cannot be verified, leave it out or describe the limitation rather than guessing a plausible address.
Make corrections visible
If a factual correction is needed after publication, identify the point and the correction clearly. Follow your editorial process for deciding whether the audio itself also needs revision.
Keep a concise note of the final file version so future updates do not become confused. Our timeline labels can supply the first set of candidate timestamps; the final listener-facing notes should be checked afresh.