podcast interview checklist

1. Choose Interesting Guests. Some guest are, well… boring. Other guests aren’t right for your show. ...
2. Do Some Background Research on Your Subject. A podcast interview shouldn’t be your first exposure to your subject. ...
3. Get to Know Your Interviewee’s Work. Part of researching your guest means making yourself familiar with their work. ...
4. Write The Guest’s Bio For Them. Most guests have a prepared bio: A statement about what they do, where they studied/worked, and what they’re working on now.
5. Determine Where Your Subject Meets Your Audience. Your podcast interview is for your audience, so it’s important to determine what your interviewee knows that appeals to your listeners.
Prepare Your Questions In Advance. This one seems obvious, but it’s worth saying. ...
Send Your Questions To Your Guest Before The Interview. Once you create your questions, send them to your guest at least a week before you record the episode.
Brief Your Guest About Your Show. Send a brief email that explains… This type of information will help your guest tailor their answers to your audience.
Minimize Any Distractions. When you invite someone to have a conversation for your podcast, make sure you’ll have nothing else going on at that time.

Full Answer

How do you choose guests for a podcast?

Choose Interesting Guests Some guest are, well… boring. Other guests aren’t right for your show. If you interview people who don’t add much value to your listeners’ lives, you’re all but guaranteed to host a terrible podcast interview. Invite podcast guests who have unique angles. Find people who do things differently or refuse to follow the pack.

Do you send a list of interview questions when podcasting?

While sending a list of interview questions is generally up to you, it’s considered polite to give your guest at least a heads-up of the topics you’ll want to cover. And some guests (especially the high-profile ones) even insist on seeing the podcast questions in advance.

How do you prepare for a podcast interview?

Do Some Background Research on Your Subject A podcast interview shouldn’t be your first exposure to your subject. You should know at least a little about them before the show starts. Your job is to expose the interviewee to your audience, so it helps to know enough about the subject to get the ball rolling.

What makes a good remote interview podcast?

For many remote interview podcasts, the episode is only as good as the questions (and, of course, the audio quality). Finding the right balance of informative and entertaining usually starts with the host’s ability to put their guests at ease, converse with them naturally, and spark intriguing, dynamic conversation.

How do I prepare for a podcast interview?

Podcast Preparation For HostsBe Clear About Your Podcast Format. You can't host a successful interview without being clear about how you want the interview to run. ... Send a Pre-Interview Survey. ... Research Your Guest. ... Read the Book. ... Create Set Recording Times. ... Minimize Distractions. ... Listen to the Podcast. ... Offer an Angle.More items...

What are good interview questions for a podcast?

What are three movies you'd recommend to my audience and why? What are three other podcasts you'd recommend to my audience and why? What's one question you wish I'd asked you, and how would you have answered? Where can listeners find you online?

How do you talk in a podcast interview?

Top 10 tips: how to prepare for a podcast interview as a guest... Listen in. ... Prepare notes and key messages. ... Determine the location. ... Pay attention to your audio. ... Be yourself. ... Avoid the elevator pitch. ... Learn how to pronounce the hosts name. ... Be courteous of the hosts time.More items...•

How long should a podcast interview last?

The same is with podcast interview length. If you decide that your interview should not be longer than 20 minutes, you'll do everything possible to make it as juicy as possible. So your entire outline will go out of the window, as everything that matters will be the discussion that happens at the moment.

How do you end a podcast interview?

What Should I Include in my Outro? How to End a PodcastThank them for listening. ... Point them to the shownotes on your website for links to everything that was mentioned in this episode.If possible, offer them a teaser of what's in store on the next episode.Send them to ONE place – your website.More items...•

What are some interesting questions to ask?

100 Getting to Know You QuestionsWho is your hero?If you could live anywhere, where would it be?What is your biggest fear?What is your favorite family vacation?What would you change about yourself if you could?What really makes you angry?What motivates you to work hard?More items...

How do I talk like a podcaster?

General tips for sounding goodDon't worry about “likes” or “ums.” Using filler language like “uhhhh” or “y'know?” is a sign that you're speaking casually. Try not to keep track of your “like” count.Smile when you are speaking. ... Vary your vocal inflection. ... Take notes. ... Start your sentences over when you're unclear.

What should I speak in podcast?

How to Speak on a Podcast: 4 Tips for a Better Recording - MovoWrite a Script Ahead of Time. The best way to nail all of your lines for your show is to have a plan of what you will say throughout the episode. ... Plan Your Interview Questions. ... Slow Down Your Speaking Speed. ... Use Pauses for Emphasis.

How do you sound good on a podcast?

Podcast Voice Training Tips – How to Sound Good on a Podcast?Think about your podcast voice – apply a narration style suitable for your podcast's theme.Experiment with enunciation – record, listen, modify.Communicate emotions and feelings through your podcast voice.Stand while you are recording.Practice breathing.More items...

How many words is a 30 minute podcast?

3000 words for 20 minutes episode. 4500 words for 30 minutes episode.

How often do podcasts fail?

Less than 20% of the podcasts that have launched this year will make it to next year. Most podcasts fail. If you've launched a podcast or are thinking about launching one, you don't want to put in all that work just to see your experiment get canned in a few months.

How do you know if your podcast is successful?

Here's a list of eight methods you might use to measure the success of your podcast:Number of listeners. ... Number of downloads per episode. ... Sponsors and advertisements. ... Audience and critic reviews. ... Website and social media traffic. ... Engagement with promotional materials. ... Networking and referrals. ... Recycled content.

How do you interview a podcast remotely?

How to record a great podcast interview remotelyStreamline the logistics. ... Research and practice your conversation. ... Find a quiet space to record. ... Test your WiFi connection. ... Use headphones with a microphone. ... Consider a video call. ... Ease your way into the interview. ... You can't plan for everything.More items...•

What are good this or that questions?

This or that questions are prompts that ask participants to choose one of two options....This or that questions for adultsVacation or staycation?Netflix or Hulu?Night or morning?Rich and famous or rich and unknown?Passenger or driver?Art museum or history museum?Car or bike?Train or airplane?More items...•

How to host a podcast?

1. Choose Interesting Guests. Some guest are, well… boring. Other guests aren’t right for your show. If you interview people who don’t add much value to your listeners’ lives, you’re all but guaranteed to host a terrible podcast interview. Invite podcast guests who have unique angles.

Why is it important to do a podcast interview?

Your podcast interview is for your audience, so it’s important to determine what your interviewee knows that appeals to your listeners. There’s no sense going over things your audience already knows, or things they don’t care about. You need to extract information from your guest that matters the most to your fans.

How to research a guest?

Part of researching your guest means making yourself familiar with their work. You should read their blog posts, check out their social media pages, watch their videos, and listen to any other podcasts they’ve been on. If they have a book, you should read it – or at least the relevant parts.

What does it mean when you say "the next question on my list"?

Saying something like “The next question on my list…” sounds stiff and fake. It makes your listener aware that you’re hosting a prepared interview rather than an organic discussion.

What to take note of when conducting background research?

Take note of anything that would be especially interesting to your audience as you conduct your background research. Don’t be afraid to ignore something unique about your guest if you don’t think it will matter to your listeners.

How to get guest to talk about your event?

Dig into your guest’s online persona. Read their articles, troll through their social media profiles, and Google around for what they’ve said online (or what other people have said about them). Take note of their big accomplishments, like winning an award, writing a book, or speaking at an event.

Is it hard to get interesting guests on podcasts?

Yes, it’s harder to get interesting guests than average ones. But if you interview regular people who just punch the clock every day, you’ll struggle to keep your listeners engaged. 2. Do Some Background Research on Your Subject. A podcast interview shouldn’t be your first exposure to your subject.

How to get a good interview?

1. Do Your Research. Don’t make the mistake of showing up to the interview without knowing basic information about your guest; it’ll come off as unprofessional and rude. But beyond that, learning about your interviewee’s life and achievements will likely spark more question ideas.

What is a podcast glossary?

Podcast Glossary: A Technical Guide to Podcasting

Is a remote interview good?

For many remote interview podcasts, the episode is only as good as the questions (and, of course, the audio quality ). Finding the right balance of informative and entertaining usually starts with the host’s ability to put their guests at ease, converse with them naturally, and spark intriguing, dynamic conversation.

Should I Send Podcast Interview Questions Upfront?

While sending a list of interview questions is generally up to you, it’s considered polite to give your guest at least a heads-up of the topics you’ll want to cover. And some guests (especially the high-profile ones) even insist on seeing the podcast questions in advance.