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Contribute to Show Notes
Show notes are where you and your host prepare the episode together. Adding your talking points, links, and background before the recording helps the host ask better questions, and helps your best material make it into the final episode page.
Shared vs My Notes
The show notes have two tabs, Shared and My notes. Before you write anything, know which one you're in:
| Shared | My notes | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can read it | Everyone on the episode | Only you and the host |
| Can it be published? | Yes, it may appear in the final episode show notes | No |
| Best for | Talking points, links to your work, resources for listeners | Questions, reminders, personal prep |
A line at the top of each tab gives the exact promise, with the faces of everyone who can read it. Shared: "Everyone on this episode can read this, and it may be published." My notes: "Only you and the host can read this."
My notes are not fully private
Your host can read My notes and may refer to them during the interview. They're private from other guests, not from the host.
Add Your Notes
- Open your guest portal. The show notes sit under the episode header
- Pick the Shared or My notes tab (on a phone, choose them in the switcher at the top)
- Click into the notes and start typing
There's no save button: your changes save automatically as you write. Each section shows when it was last edited and by whom, like "Last edited by Sam 5m ago".
If a save fails, a message says so. If the problem is temporary, show.fm tries again on its own; you can also select Retry sync. If the notes ask you to Reload, reload the page to keep editing. Your text stays on screen until you do, and if anything wasn't saved yet, Copy my notes copies it first.
Formatting and Links
Use the toolbar above your notes for headings, bold, lists and links, or type Markdown as you go: # and a space for a heading, - for a bullet, **bold**. Formatting shortcuts in the toolbar's More menu lists them all.
Web addresses become links as you type them. Click a link to see where it goes: the card under it opens it in a new tab, and lets you edit or remove it. In notes you can only read, a click opens the link.
See Who Else Is Editing
Show notes are collaborative in real time. When your host (or another guest) is working in a section, their avatar appears at the top of that section; hover over it to see who it is. You can both edit at the same time without overwriting each other.
If There Are No Notes Yet
If another guest invited you to the booking, your My notes section is created once you have accepted the invitation and the organiser has confirmed the booking. If your invitation page says your private notes still need setting up, choose Try again there.
If you see No show notes yet ("Your host hasn't created show notes for this episode yet. You can still chat with them while you wait."), the host simply hasn't set them up. There's nothing you need to do. Drop them a message in the episode chat if you have material ready to share in the meantime.
What Makes Great Guest Notes
- Links to your work: your website, book, project, or social profiles, so the host can plug them accurately
- Three to five talking points you'd love to cover
- Pronunciation notes for your name or anything technical
- Anything to avoid: topics you'd rather not discuss are often better raised in My notes or the chat
What's Next?
- Message Your Host: coordinate over chat
- What Is the Guest Portal?: the full portal tour