Podcasts have become a go-to medium for storytelling, with millions of listeners tuning in every day to hear powerful, thought-provoking narratives. 

Among the different podcast formats, the documentary series stands out due to its ability to captivate and inform an audience over an extended period. 

Unlike traditional episodic podcasts, a documentary series offers an in-depth, long-form experience that can transform complex topics into compelling narratives.

If you’re looking to create a podcast documentary series, this guide will take you through the essential steps to build your series from the ground up. 

Whether you’re a budding podcaster or a seasoned content creator, learning how to tell long-form stories effectively is a key skill.

Introduction to Podcast Documentary Series

A podcast documentary series is an in-depth, episodic exploration of a topic, often following a central theme, event, or individual. 

These podcasts are typically longer and more detailed than regular podcasts, and they combine elements of journalism, storytelling, and investigative work. 

The goal is to tell a cohesive story that engages listeners over the course of several episodes. 

Popular podcast documentary series like Serial, The Dropout, or S-Town have proven that well-executed long-form storytelling can captivate and even change the cultural conversation.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating your own podcast documentary series. 

From selecting a topic to structuring your episodes, producing high-quality audio, and engaging your audience, you’ll find everything you need to bring your documentary podcast vision to life.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Podcast Documentary Series

1. Choosing a Compelling Topic

The foundation of any good documentary podcast is a strong, engaging topic. 

This will be the subject that holds your series together. 

A good documentary topic should be unique, relevant, and have the potential to be explored from multiple angles. 

It’s essential to pick a topic that both interests you and resonates with your target audience.

Some tips for selecting your topic:

• Relevance: Consider current events, cultural trends, or historical subjects that have strong emotional or intellectual appeal.
• Depth: Choose a topic with layers. Can you dive into personal stories, complex conflicts, or untold truths?
• Uniqueness: Stand out from other podcasts by tackling a less explored issue or bringing a fresh perspective to a popular topic.

2. Develop a Central Narrative Arc

Once you’ve selected your topic, you need to develop the narrative arc for your documentary series. 

A central storyline helps structure your content and guides the direction of your series. 

This will serve as the spine of your podcast, holding together various episodes and ensuring cohesion.

Think of your podcast as a novel. You’ll need:

• Beginning: Set the stage and introduce the key players or events.
• Middle: Delve deeper into the topic, building suspense, uncovering new information, or exploring multiple perspectives.
• End: Resolve the story or deliver a thought-provoking conclusion. This doesn’t always mean tying everything up neatly, but rather offering insights or leaving your audience with a lasting impression.

3. Research and Gather Your Sources

The strength of a documentary podcast lies in its research. 

You will need to collect detailed information from a variety of sources. 

This could include interviews with experts, archival material, personal anecdotes, news articles, and more. 

Be prepared to dive deep into your subject and become an authority on it.

Good research will lend authenticity to your podcast and provide rich content for your episodes. 

Always fact-check your information and strive to present a balanced view of your subject matter. 

This research will not only guide your narrative but also shape the storytelling structure of each episode.

4. Create a Structured Episode Plan

A podcast documentary series is usually divided into multiple episodes, each covering a different aspect of the story. 

You’ll need to plan out the structure of each episode carefully, ensuring that each one contributes to the overall narrative while remaining engaging on its own.

Consider the following when structuring your episodes:

• Episode Length: Depending on your topic, documentary episodes can range from 20 minutes to over an hour. Aim for a duration that aligns with your content and audience preferences.
• Pacing: Keep your audience hooked by balancing informative content with emotional or dramatic moments. Use cliffhangers, suspenseful moments, and teasers to maintain interest.
• Story Focus: Ensure each episode has a specific angle or focus. One episode might center on interviews with key figures, while another could dive into historical background or on-the-ground reporting.

5. Crafting a Script and Voiceover

While a documentary podcast is based on real events or people, it still requires a narrative voice to tie everything together. 

Crafting a well-written script is essential to ensuring the pacing and tone of your series stay consistent.

Your script will include:

• Narration: A consistent, clear voice that provides context, introduces new segments, and moves the story forward.
• Interviews: Well-structured interview questions and careful editing of recorded conversations to highlight key points.
• Transitions: Smooth transitions between topics, interview segments, and sound effects. This helps the listener follow the story easily.

6. Producing High-Quality Audio

Podcast documentary series are heavily reliant on audio quality. 

Poor sound quality can distract listeners and detract from the impact of your story. 

Invest in good recording equipment, ensure clear sound in interviews, and use sound effects and music to enhance the atmosphere.

For documentary podcasts, background music can help set the tone, but it should not overpower the content. 

Focus on creating immersive soundscapes that evoke emotions and keep listeners engaged.

7. Post-Production and Editing

Editing is where your documentary podcast truly comes to life. 

During post-production, you’ll organize your recorded content, trim unnecessary parts, and refine the pacing. Pay attention to:

• Audio Clarity: Ensure that all voices are clear and free from distractions.
• Story Flow: Make sure each episode flows smoothly, with a clear narrative direction and logical transitions.
• Consistency: Maintain the same tone, style, and audio quality throughout the series.

8. Promoting Your Podcast Documentary Series

Once your podcast is ready to go live, it’s time to promote it. 

Utilize social media, podcast directories, and email newsletters to let your audience know about your documentary series. 

You can also collaborate with influencers, guest experts, or other podcasts to expand your reach.

Teasers, trailers, and behind-the-scenes content can help build anticipation and attract potential listeners before your full episodes are released.

Creating a podcast documentary series is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. 

It allows you to dive deep into a subject, uncover hidden stories, and captivate your audience with powerful long-form storytelling. 

By following these steps—choosing a compelling topic, structuring your narrative, conducting thorough research, and producing high-quality content—you can create a podcast that resonates with listeners and builds a lasting connection with your audience.

Are you ready to tell your own podcast documentary story? 

At Command Your Brand, we specialize in helping creators like you launch successful podcast projects. 

Contact us today to get started and bring your documentary series to life! Let’s create something that resonates and leaves a lasting impact.