Podcast Episode Input Form
Form Structure & Recommendations
Layout: Consider a tabbed or multi-section form with clear headers. Use collapsible sections for optional/advanced fields.
Section 1: Core Episode Information
- Episode Title:
[text input, required]
- Instruction: Primary title for listeners and directories.
- Subtitle/Short Description:
[text input, max 150 chars]
- Season Number:
[number input]
- Episode Number:
[number input]
- Series Information:
[text input]
- Example: "Part 2 of 3", "Mini-Series: AI Fundamentals"
- Publication Date & Time:
[datetime picker]
- Episode Duration:
[HH:MM:SS input]
- Explicit Content:
[radio buttons: Yes / No]
Section 2: Content & Format
- Content Format:
[dropdown/radio, required]
- Interview, Solo/Monologue, Panel Discussion, Deep-Dive, Storytelling/Narrative, Mixtape/Curation, Q&A, Live Recording, Other
- Primary Category (for directories):
[dropdown]
- Pre-populated list: e.g., Technology, Business, Education, Society & Culture, etc.
- Secondary Topics/Keywords:
[tag input field]
- Instruction: Add 3-10 keywords like "machine learning," "startup funding," "productivity."
- Episode Summary:
[rich text area]
- Instruction: 2-4 paragraph overview of the episode's content.
Section 3: People
- Host(s):
[multi-select from existing host database OR text input for names]
- Guest(s):
[add multiple via "Add Guest" button]
- For each guest:
- Guest Name:
[text]
- Title/Company:
[text]
- Bio:
[textarea]
- Website/Social Link:
[url]
- Headshot:
[image upload]
Section 4: Show Notes & Links
- Detailed Show Notes:
[rich text editor with formatting tools]
- Instruction: Full episode description with timestamps, links, and key takeaways.
- Resources & Links:
[repeatable link block]
- Link Text:
[text]
- URL:
[url]
- Description (Optional):
[text]
- Primary Call-to-Action (CTA):
- CTA Text:
[text] (e.g., "Get the Free Guide")
- CTA URL:
[url]
- Secondary CTA (Optional):
[same fields as above]
Section 5: Timestamps (Chapters)
[Button: "Add Timestamp"] creates a row with:
- Timecode:
[HH:MM:SS]
- Chapter Title:
[text]
- Description (Optional):
[text]
Section 6: Media & Files
- Episode Artwork (Square):
[image upload, required]
- Instruction: 3000x3000 px recommended. Displays current image.
- Audio File (MP3):
[file upload, required]
- Transcript (TXT):
[file upload]
- For accessibility and SEO.
- Subtitles/Captions (SRT/VTT):
[file upload]
- For video clips or platforms supporting captions.
- Unique Words/Glossary File (Optional):
[file upload or text area]
- Instruction: List of key terms, names, or jargon from the episode.
Section 7: Related Content & Merchandising
- Related Episodes (Internal):
[searchable select from episode library]
- Instruction: Link to 1-3 relevant past episodes.
- Merchandise Ideas:
[tag input or textarea]
- Example: "T-shirt quote: 'Debugging is life', Sticker: Podcast logo with microphone."
Section 8: Publishing & Distribution
- Podcast Slugs/URLs:
[text input, auto-generated from title, editable]
- Meta Description:
[textarea, 155 char counter]
- Auto-filled from subtitle but editable for SEO.
- Distribution Flags:
[checkbox] Publish to Apple Podcasts[checkbox] Publish to Spotify[checkbox] Publish to YouTube (requires SRT if checked)[checkbox] Include in newsletter
Section 9: Internal & Workflow
- Internal Status:
[dropdown: Draft / Ready for Review / Scheduled / Published]
- Internal Notes:
[textarea]
- For team communication about edits, sources, etc.
- Assigned Editor/Producer:
[dropdown from user list]
Implementation Notes:
- Validation: Mark required fields clearly. Validate URLs, file types (MP3, SRT, TXT, images), and date formats.
- UX: Use placeholders and examples generously. Allow saving as a draft.
- Data Handling: Store guest info in a reusable database. Auto-generate URLs/slugs but allow override.
- Preview: Include a "Preview" button that renders how the episode will look on the main website/app.
- Integration: Connect to your CMS, audio hosting service (e.g., Libsyn, Buzzsprout), and social media schedulers via API where possible.
This form ensures all metadata needed for directories, promotion, and content management is captured in one place.