Thursday, September 20, 2007

How to Make Your Podcast Guest Look Like a Rock Star

Having a knowledgeable expert on your podcast positions you as an industry leader. That's why it's important to do everything you can to make your expert look like a rock star.

Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts when it comes to podcast interviews, specifically focusing on how to make your guest look like a rock star (or thought leader).


Do research on the person you’re going to interview. Prepare some questions, get their bio and write down all the things that make them great.


Do get the spelling and pronunciation of your guest’s name correct before you start recording.


On the scheduled day and time of the interview, don’t leave your guest scrambling to figure out how to contact you. Since you arranged the interview, you have to make contact with your guest.


Do send interview questions at least a week before the interview. The day before is no good.


Do remind your guest that the interview is being recorded. This will put your guest at ease and help him or her to relax.


Do let your guest do the talking. He or she is the expert, so let their expertise shine through.


Do edit all the verbal clutter your guest makes. This will cause you extra work, but doing so makes your guest sound polished and articulate.


Do follow up with a thank you email and a link to the podcast interview that your guest appears on.


Do provide instructions on how the person can access and download their interview. Not everyone is well versed on how to listen to a podcast.


Do provide your audience with a URL to your guest’s website under a special section called Show Resources.


Do provide a blurb that your guest can copy and paste and send off to their colleagues, network and/or mailing list. This helps you to increase your audience and gain additional subscribers by using your guest’s database to promote your podcast.

By Leesa Barnes

No comments: