11 Ways To Be Exceptionally Prepared For A Podcast Interview (both as host and guest speaker)
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Below is a summary of the points and if you like to read the entire article you can always go to https://www.dontpanicmgmt.com/prepare-for-podcast-interview/.
Podcast Preparation For Hosts
1. Be Clear About Your Podcast Format
Decide what kind of show you want to have, make sure you’re consistent, and if you do want to make changes, that’s okay. Just make sure you’re communicating them with your guests and your audience.
2. Send a Pre-Interview Survey
Even if you think you know your guest really well, sending over a pre-show form for your guests to fill out is helpful for everyone. It allows your guest to get a feel for the types of questions you like to ask, and it helps you gather the information that directly relates to your show, as opposed to public information you can find on the web or through casual conversations.
3. Research Your Guest
In addition to requiring the pre-show form, do some research of your own. Google is your friend here. If it’s a professional podcast, LinkedIn can also provide a lot of interesting work information. But don’t overlook old blog posts, other podcast interviews, social media updates, and personal news that you can connect upon (new babies, puppies, or houses are common!).
4. Read the Book
Many podcast guests are looking to get their message out there because they’ve released something new, like a book. And especially in the business world, having penned your very own book boosts your credibility in the industry, which is why so many people are turning to book-writing these days.
But remember, if a guest is coming on your show with the goal of promoting the book and its message, you’ve got to read, or at least skim, their book. You’ll be able to ask more interesting questions, and your guest will feel welcome and appreciate your attention to their efforts.
5. Create Set Recording Times
I understand that not everyone’s schedule is predictable, but it’s helpful to develop set times per week or month that you’ll do recordings. Creating a plan is beneficial for a few reasons:
6. Minimize Distractions
Ding!
Brrrring, brrrring!
Beep!
You wouldn’t believe the amount of noise I’ve had to edit out of podcast recordings… or at least I’ve attempted to. Some can’t be saved.
But distractions don’t just come in the form of email notifications and phone calls. They’re social media messages, dogs barking, mail men and women… the list goes on.
Podcast Preparation for Guests
1. Listen to the Podcast
This seems self-explanatory, but I’m always surprised to hear the number of guests who ask me what the format of the podcast is, or what kind of show it is, etc. If you’re being invited to join the show as a guest, you’re being promoted by the podcast and you’re being put in front of new audiences. That’s an honor! Do yourself a favor, and prepare by listening to the other kinds of guests the host has had on the show, what kinds of questions the host normally asks, and how you might be able to differentiate yourself.
Which brings me to my next point…
2. Offer an Angle
Consider your pitch. What’s your unique value proposition? Why does this host even want to have you on their show, using a precious 30 minutes to an hour of their life talking to you?
Sometimes, if you’re lucky, the host will have asked YOU to join their show. What an honor! In that case, the host will likely have an idea of what they want you to cover and how it will affect their audience.
If, on the other hand, you’re out there hustlin’ and bustlin’, pitching yourself for podcast appearances (as most professionals are), you’ll need to make that thing that you are uniquely qualified to do very clear.
Try to offer this in two sentences or less, something like:
I am looking forward to explaining the power that virtual assistants can have on growing a business and getting out of your own way. I’m excited to share some ideas about how your audience can find, hire, and train a VA quickly and efficiently… without losing their minds.
Not only will this impress your host, but it will help them develop questions that you can effectively answer. No one wants to be stumped on a podcast interview!
3. Provide a Bio and Headshot
Whether we like it or not, not all podcast hosts will have read this blog post (hehe) and be completely prepared to have you on their show. Or, they won’t have stellar research skills and won’t be able to find your latest headshot and bio.
To avoid any confusion or any outdated information, do your host a favor and offer up your latest headshot and a short bio. It will help them introduce you, can be included in show notes, and will save everyone any embarrassment of sharing information that’s no longer accurate.
4. Invest in a Good Microphone or Headset
You’d think this one would be a no-brainer, but again, you’d be surprised at how many people are like, “I want to be on your podcast!” And then are like, “Wait, how does the internet work?”
5. Ask What You Can Prepare
As a guest, it’s your job to make the host’s life easier. It’s your job to do everything you can to make the interview freakin’ awesome. You can’t help a bad host—that’s just sad and always hard to listen to—but you can do your part to make sure you’re not to blame for a terrible podcast episode.
