Contrary to the explosion of podcasts on YouTube, podcasting is an audio-first medium. So, delivering information clearly is essential. One area where clarity is especially important is when sharing website URLs and email addresses.

Here are some tips to help you communicate these details effectively.

Spell It Out

When sharing a URL or email address, spelling out tricky or ambiguous parts can make a huge difference. For instance, spell out any confusing words, especially if they sound similar to others or are of a different language than the medium of the podcast. If there’s a hyphen or underscore, clearly state it as ‘hyphen’ or ‘underscore’.

For example, “Send us an email at info… that’s I-N-F-O, at example dot com.”

Break It Down

Break the URL or email address into manageable chunks, pausing slightly between each section. This helps listeners follow along without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, it allows you to skip spelling out obvious parts of an address, like support, hello, info, etc.

For example, “Email us at hello at, P-O-D-C-A-S-T-H-U-B dot in.”

Use Phonetic Alphabet

For letters that might be confusing, especially in email addresses, use the phonetic alphabet. This is particularly useful for international audiences or when spelling out uncommon words.

For example, “Contact us at info at example dot com… ‘info’ is I as in India, N as in November, F as in Foxtrot, O as in Oscar.”

Be Consistent

It also helps if you use the same method consistently throughout your podcast. This helps listeners get used to your style and anticipate how you will deliver these details. Your style should also align with your audience.

For example, a tech podcast can skip spelling out a tech jargon term, but a business podcast might require spelling those out.

Repeat Key Information

Repeat important URLs and email addresses at least twice. Give listeners a chance to catch any details they might have missed the first time.

For example, “You can find more information at double-u, double-u, double-u dot example dot com. That’s double-u, double-u, double-u dot example dot com.”

By following these tips, you’ll ensure your listeners can easily access the information you provide, enhancing their overall experience with your podcast. Make sure you also mention all URLs and email addresses in the show notes or episode description. Clear communication keeps your audience engaged and helps you achieve your goals – whether it is to take your audience to your website, a podcast sponsor, sell products or services, so on and so forth.