Since 2005 I’ve conducted hundreds of podcast interviews, many in person but most remotely. Various factors affect the success of a podcast, both from a content and audio quality point of view. But you, as the interviewee, are the most important.
Here are a few tips to help you shine as a podcast guest. After all, you’re probably doing the interview to share your knowledge as an expert, to promote your business or your book, or to generate speaking gigs. So you want to be your best.
Preparation
Check out the podcast to ensure it fits your needs. Ask the host what the angle of the interview is, and about the intended audience. If your target market is mega-corporations, and the podcast is geared toward home business, you should probably decline.
Ask for discussion areas in advance, but don’t expect to get every question in writing. As a podcaster, I don’t share exact questions before the interview, because some guests get a little nervous and script their answers, and then expect to read them on the podcast. Trust me on this: Unless you’re a trained voice actor, reading can be the fastest way to ruin an interview. Of course, you do want to keep relevant facts and figures at your fingertips so that you sound like the expert you are.
Get the technology out of the way early. When you’re booked as a guest, confirm the date and time (including time zone). Ask whether the interview will be conducted in person, by phone or via Skype. If it’s by phone, use a landline, not a mobile phone.
Sounding great
These days, the majority of podcasters will use Skype for remote interviews. Although the popularity of Skype continues to grow, some guests are not familiar with it, and attempt to “try it out” at the time of the interview. This is not a good idea. If you’re not accustomed to using Skype, install it in advance and experiment with a friend or family member. Or use the “Skype test call” feature within the application. Learn how to start up the program, plug in your headset and/or microphone, and turn off notifications so that you don’t hear annoying beeps during the interview.
The right gear will improve sound quality immensely. If you’re going to do multiple remote interviews, invest in a headset and microphone combo. A USB microphone would be a step above a one-piece headset/mic combo. (The Blue Yeti gets high ratings.) Even better: a separate microphone and headphones. The worst audio quality will result from using the microphone built into your PC. If you must rely on it, learn to use it properly and position yourself for optimal sound.
Quiet on the set! If you have a thunderous fan or air conditioner in the room, turn if off for the interview. If you have a noisy child or pet, do not do the interview if they’re within earshot, unless they’re part of the story.
Share your stories. Using a story to make a point can be very effective. But do be sure that your stories don’t run too long. Check with the podcaster; how much time do you have? Remember not to talk too fast. Sometimes when we’re excited about a topic, we speak too quickly. Slow down, and remember to breathe.
Pauses please. The interviewer might ask for pauses between questions and answers, which makes the editing process easier. So, after you say something, don’t be afraid of the silence, which will be edited out. When I do interviews, I usually warn the guest in advance about these pregnant pauses.
Have you ever been a podcast guest? What tips would you share?
For more content like this, follow me on Twitter or GooglePlus.
Need podcasting help? Contact me through the Trafalgar Communications website.
