Podcast Ad Read Script Template
Host-read ads work when they sound like you. This template gives you a structure for each slot length, a sheet for everything the sponsor sends, and a must-say and never-say table so you hit the brief without reading it like a robot.
PodcastingPDF + CSV7 sectionsfree, no paywall
What you get
- Host-read structures for a 15 to 30 second pre-roll, a 60 second mid-roll, and a post-roll
- A sponsor fields sheet for talking points, promo code, URL, offer, and disclosure line
- A must-say and never-say table plus prompts for your own experience with the product
- A pre-recording checklist, as an editable CSV and a branded PDF
How to use this template
- 1. Fill the sponsor sheet first. Copy every detail from the sponsor's brief into the fields sheet. Check the promo code and URL spelling against the brief before you write a word.
- 2. Write from the structure. Pick the slot length and fill in each line of its structure. Put the promo code and URL in the last 10 seconds so listeners hear them right before they act.
- 3. Add your own experience. Answer the personal prompts and work one real detail into the read. If you haven't used the product, don't claim you have.
- 4. Get approval, then record. Send the draft to the sponsor if the contract asks for approval, then run the checklist and record two takes.
Still choosing the tool you will run this in? Compare two side by side, or read how each profile is built in our review methodology.
What's inside
2 of 7 sections shown; the remaining 5 come with the free download.
What is a podcast ad read script?
A podcast ad read script is the written version of a sponsor spot you voice yourself. It follows a fixed order, meaning disclosure, the listener's problem, the product, one true line about your own use, the offer, then the code and URL, and it carries the sponsor's required phrases and banned claims.
You need one the moment money is involved, because the contract usually specifies the length, the exact spelling of a promo code, and claims you are not allowed to make. Writing it out also means the read is timed before you record, instead of running forty seconds long and getting butchered in the edit.
Host-read ad structures
Each slot follows the same order: disclosure, problem, product, your experience, offer, and call to action. Longer slots get more room for the experience line. Times are approximate.
| Slot | Length | Structure (line by line) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-roll | 15 to 30 sec | 1. Disclosure and sponsor name 2. One-line what it does 3. Offer + code + URL | This episode is sponsored by Acme Mics. They make USB mics that sound clean without a mixer. Get 15% off at acme.com/show with code SHOW. |
| Mid-roll | About 60 sec | 1. Disclosure 2. Problem the listener has 3. Product as the fix 4. Your experience 5. Offer 6. Code + URL, said twice | Today's episode is sponsored by Acme Mics. If your audio sounds like a bathroom... I switched to the Acme USB last spring and... Go to acme.com/show, code SHOW. |
5 more sections and the PDF + CSV are behind the free download.
Tools that help with this
The template does the thinking; these are the products creators run it in. The full software directory has the rest.
Auphonic
Auphonic is an AI-powered audio post-production service that automatically levels, normalizes loudness, reduces noise, and masters your podcast audio to broadcast standards.
$0/mo
Captivate
Captivate is a podcast hosting platform built for growth-focused podcasters.
$19/mo
Buzzsprout
Buzzsprout is a podcast hosting platform that stores your audio files, generates an RSS feed, and distributes your show to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and every major directory.
$15/mo
Categories to browse: Audio Editing Software, Podcast Hosting Platforms.
Frequently asked questions
What is a podcast ad read script?
It is the written script for a sponsor spot the host reads aloud, built in a fixed order from disclosure through to the promo code, and checked against the sponsor's must-say phrases and prohibited claims before recording.
How do you write a podcast ad read script?
Start with a clear disclosure and the sponsor's name, name a problem your listener has, present the product as the fix, add one true detail from your own use, then give the offer, promo code, and URL. Say the code and URL near the end, and twice in a 60-second read.
How long is a podcast ad read?
Pre-roll and post-roll spots usually run 15 to 30 seconds. Mid-roll spots are usually around 60 seconds, sometimes longer for a host-read integration. Your contract should state the exact length.
Do podcast ads need a disclosure?
Yes. In the US, the FTC's endorsement rules apply to podcasts, so listeners need to know when content is paid. A plain line such as "This episode is sponsored by" at the start of the read is the common approach. Check the rules where you and your listeners are based.
What if I cannot honestly endorse the product?
Then do not write a personal line. Run it as a produced read of the sponsor's own copy, or turn the deal down. The experience line is the most valuable part of a host-read ad precisely because listeners assume it is true, and one invented claim costs more trust than the spot pays.
Should I record the ad separately from the episode?
Record it in the same session but as its own take, and mark it for the editor. That keeps your voice and room consistent with the episode while letting you redo the read without touching the content, which matters when a sponsor comes back asking for a code change.