Want to be a great podcast guest? Here are some tips to help you stand out and make a great impression on your audience. Podcasting is growing in popularity, so if you're looking to get in front of a new audience, this is a great way to do it. And if you're already a podcast guest, these tips can help you take things to the next level. So what are you waiting for? Keep reading...
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:
- What you should do before, during and after your podcast interview to ensure you make the most out of the experience.
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It might be that you’re not ready to have a podcast of your own and that is totally fine. Guesting on other podcasts is also a great way to build authority and be visible to new audiences. It also positions you as an expert in your niche as you have the opportunity to speak about a topic that you are most passionate about.
What you should do before your podcast interview as a guest.
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- Be prepared. Listen to a couple of episodes beforehand, so you can get a feel for the show. What is the structure? Are there any segments that happen in each episode? Some podcast hosts will create something to make their show different. For example, one of my clients does a card poll with each guest at the end of the show. It’s unique and helps her stand out from other shows in her niche.
2. Be prepared. Listen to a couple of episodes beforehand, so you can get a feel for the show. What is the structure? Are there any segments that happen in each episode? Some podcast hosts will create something to make their show different. For example, one of my clients does a card poll with each guest at the end of the show. It’s unique and helps her stand out from other shows in her niche.
3. Read the reviews on Apple Podcasts. What are listeners saying about the show? This gives you an insight into what their key takeways.
4. Make a note of any instructions the host has shared with you before the interview (if applicable). I normally send an email to my guests before our interview with tips on how they can prepare for the interview. For example, put your phone on airplane mode or close all notifications on your laptop so that there are no distractions.
5. Wear headphones. This is a must! If you don’t wear headphones, your voice will mix in with the host (also called mic bleed) making it very different to edit.
5. Use a microphone. If you plan to guest on podcasts regularly, it’s worth investing in a mic that is appropriate for your room environment. If you want to find out more about how your recording environment affects the quality of your audio, check out episode 14 of the podcast.
What you should do during your podcast interview.
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- Address the host by name. This feels a bit more intimate and can build your relationship as well.
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2. Mention or refer to past episodes. If you've done your homework and listened to previous episodes, is there something that stood out for you? If relevant to your own story, mention it. It shows that you’ve made the effort. And that is what podcast hosts love!
Here's a great example of a great experience I had with one of my guests.
I recently had a guest on the podcast, Paige Killian, host of The Moms Organization Motivation podcast. Paige is the epitome of the perfect guest from the time I reached out to her to be a guest on the show until now. She is just fantastic. It was clear to me before and during the interview that she'd listened to the podcast. She even shared the episode with a fellow entrepreneur that she knew was starting a podcast. She was prompt for the interview. She made sure that she was set up properly with her headphones and mic. She even sent her husband and kids to the pool so she didn’t have any distractions. And when the episode was released, she shared the graphic that I had emailed her and also went live on IG stories talking about her guest appearance. Be sure to check out Paige’s episode to learn more about Paige and her podcasting journey.
Paige really went that extra mile. And as a podcast host, I really, really appreciated that; especially her taking the time to promote her episode to her audience.
3. Avoid name-dropping. And I don't mean another person (although that’s not advisable either) but I mean your own resources. You will have an opportunity at the end of the interview to talk about your freebie or your mastermind or whatever it might be. There is nothing more distracting than listening to a podcast interview and every five minutes the guest is pitching their thing. Just don’t do it. It’s not good practice. Give value and your time will come.
4. Keep your responses concise. Try not to go off on a tangent and keep on topic otherwise, you will lose listeners. It also shows that you're respectful of the host’s time.
5. Have a glass of water next to you while you’re recording, in case your throat gets dry.
6. Be ready to join the call at least ten minutes before to check that the tech’s working. It’s also a great opportunity to have a little chat with the host before you start recording.
7. Don't make it all about you. How can you relate to the host? What are they into? Is there any common ground that would really help you to relate to them? This is something that you could research as part of your pitch process. Of course, you're a guest on the show but you should always think about bringing value to that person's audience.
What you should do after your podcast interview.
This one is really important. Promote the episode when it goes live. I see so many podcast hosts posting in Facebook groups, how do I get my guests to promote? And a lot of people respond with ‘they gave you your time, get over it.’ And I get that. But at the same time, having guests on your show is mutually beneficial for you both. Sharing the podcast episode could be seen as a way of saying thank you and showing your support for the podcast.
If you want to hear more about podcast guesting from someone who has been a guest on 50+ episodes, be sure to listen to Becky Morrison’s spotlight episode. As a podcast host and podcast, she’s seen both sides and shares so many great tips that you would really benefit from.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading! I hope these tips have been helpful. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be happy to help in any way that I can. Thanks again and best of luck with your next interview!
Resources mentioned in this episode
Spotlight episode - Becky Morrison, Co-host of the Coaching Carrie podcast
Listener shoutout!
‘’Rosemarie has made this strange world of podcasts so easy to navigate and even easier to explore’’ - Katrina Strohl
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