Podcasting is a great way to share your voice, ideas, and stories with the world. But what if you want to invite other voices to join you? How do you conduct a podcast interview with multiple panelists without losing control of the conversation? In this article, you'll learn some tips and tricks to manage a panel interview like a pro.
Before you invite your panelists, you need to have a clear goal and structure for your interview. What is the main topic or question you want to explore? How much time do you have? How will you introduce and end the episode? How will you divide the time among the panelists? Write down a rough outline of your interview and share it with your panelists in advance. This way, they will know what to expect and how to prepare.
La moderación de un podcast es un híbrido entre un grupo de debate o discusión, sea presencial u online, y un programa de radio. Teniendo siempre como punto de partida que el sonido marca el ritmo, la atención, interactúan voces, silencios, música. Atiende a la teoría de la música y ha de funcionar como una orquesta. La planificación es esencial para que esta moderación resulte atractiva, con gancho, incluso interactiva en la cabeza del que está escuchando. Anticipación, normas de intervención, prever el montaje cuando lo haya posteriormente, asegurarse la misma calidad de sonido para todos los participantes, los tiempos de participación, los roles de los intervinientes, etc. Normas, preguntas, y tiempos acordados, anclan el resultado.
1. A clear main topic or question keeps the discussion laser-focused. This ensures panelists stay on track and the audience gains valuable insights. Think of it as a roadmap guiding the conversation. 2. Knowing your time constraints allows you to allocate time effectively for introductions, discussions, and a proper wrap-up. This keeps the episode engaging and ensures all panelists have a chance to share their expertise. 3. A rough outline shared in advance provides panelists with a roadmap. They can prepare talking points, anticipate questions, and ensure their contributions align with the episode's goals.
I totally agree with the importance of planning ahead when managing panelists who tend to dominate the conversation. Having a clear goal and structure for your interview is crucial to keeping things on track and ensuring everyone gets a chance to contribute. One thing I'd add is the importance of setting ground rules for the discussion. It's essential to establish guidelines at the beginning of the podcast to encourage balanced participation. For example, you could encourage panelists to keep their responses concise or to raise their hands if they want to speak next. This helps maintain order and prevents any one person from monopolizing the conversation.
A novel idea is to conduct a quick pre-show meeting to underscore the session's dynamics, subtly emphasizing everyone's contribution within their time frame. Leveraging tools like Notion or Evernote for sharing your session blueprint can foster a collaborative atmosphere, allowing panelists to visually map out their thoughts and contributions, ensuring a well-paced and inclusive dialogue. This approach not only prepares them but also subtly ingrains the importance of balance and timing.
An icebreaker + planning session is important where there are multiple speakers on a podcast. As the host you must gauge the qualities and personality of each speaker on the pre-recording call. This will help you plan the conversation well. Also, during the recording, you can always take control of the conversation and let others pitch in their ideas. Get used to mentally editing content while it's getting recorded. Make notes so the editor's job becomes easier.
Once you have your panelists on board, you need to communicate some ground rules for the interview. For example, you can ask them to mute their microphones when they are not speaking, to avoid interrupting each other, to use their names when addressing someone, and to keep their answers concise and relevant. You can also let them know how you will signal them when it's their turn to speak or when they need to wrap up. Make sure you explain these rules clearly and politely before you start recording.
As a moderator, it's essential to establish ground rules to ensure a smooth and productive interview process, because we all are aware that sometimes panelists do show dominance and discussion doesn't go as planned. To avoid this, it should be mandatory to explain the ground rules in advance to all the panelists. By adhering to these ground rules, we can create an environment conducive to meaningful exchange of ideas and insights.
En toda entrevista, son los Panelistas los verdaderos protagonistas, pero antes la audiencia/el público. El moderador, host, presentador basa su habilidad en guiar el tema y hacer que sus invitados se luzcan. Grave error el de muchos/as presentadores/directores/host que se creen Celebrities sin saber que son el nexo entre los invitados/panelistas/entrevistados y el público. Es como un árbitro (colegiado) en un Partido de fútbolo u otra disciplina deportiva: si se le va de las manos, es que no estaba preparado para ello.
1. Muting microphones when not speaking minimizes background noise and ensures a clear audio quality, enhancing the listening experience for your audience. 2. Ask panelists to avoid interrupting each other promotes a respectful and engaging discussion. Listeners can follow the conversation more easily, and each panelist has a chance to fully express their thoughts. 3. Reminding them to use names and keep answers concise ensures focused dialogue. This enhances the conversation, avoids confusion, and maximizes the value gained from each panelist's expertise. 4. Letting panelists know how you'll signal turns and wrap-ups prevents awkward pauses and ensures a smooth flow. This reflects positively on your podcast and keeps the episode engaging.
Incorporating clear guidelines really sets the stage for a respectful and engaging conversation. Another tip could be using a visual timer or a soft sound cue during the recording to gently remind speakers of their time without interrupting the flow. Additionally, establishing a 'pass the baton' rule where each speaker nominates the next can encourage more inclusive and dynamic exchanges. These strategies not only help in managing time but also in enhancing interaction among panelists, making the podcast more enjoyable for listeners.
Simple and obvious. Set the guidelines for a healthy conversation. As I mentioned earlier, a pre-recording session will help with all the communication that needs to be delivered before the recording. Sending across a document for reference will also help. Include all details of the guests so all those involved know about each other well.
As the host of the podcast, your role is not only to ask questions, but also to moderate the conversation. This means you need to keep an eye on the time, the flow, and the balance of the interview. If you notice that some panelists are dominating the conversation, you need to intervene and redirect the attention to the others. You can do this by using phrases like "That's a great point, thank you. I'd love to hear what [name] thinks about this" or "We have a few minutes left, so I'd like to ask [name] to share their perspective on this". Don't be afraid to interrupt politely if someone is going off-topic or talking too much.
Moderating is an art. You have to find balance between being serious enough and being kind at the same time. I recommend you waiting just a little bit to see if conversation fix its disbalance by itself, and then, if it doesn't happen, take action. When you moderate, maybe you are interrupting someone talking, so you have to speak loud enough to set clearly a point in the conversation without competition for keeping talking. Everybody understand that if you take action like that is because some reasons (lack of time, etc.) and they will respect that. It's not the same as one panelist interrupts other. You, as a moderator, have the status for setting the pace of the episode.
Moderation can make or break a podcast with multiple guests. Having a clear plan of action and flow that is communicated in advance to the guests helps a lot. I remember moderating a podcast with 8 panellists and it went super smoothly because we established the ground rules in advance. Even then guests can sometimes go overboard, then with a decisive and polite tone it is paramount to bring the discussion back to normalcy otherwise other guests will get offended because of a lack of time for them to speak.
One of the key skills that a podcaster should posses. A good moderator spends more time preparing than the actual recording time. In my experience, around 2-3x time goes in just prepping for the recording. Make sure as a moderator you are polite and are also in command of the conversation.
If you're bored, there's a good chance your audience is bored, find quick gaps to break into the conversation if someone is on a long monolog. Make sure to engage every panelist. It's common for some to be less assertive. Give them the floor by addressing them directly with questions.
Keep an eye on the clock. This allows you to distribute time fairly and ensure all viewpoints are heard within the allotted timeframe. Be mindful of the conversation's flow. Guide the discussion to explore different facets of the topic, ensuring it remains engaging and informative. A panelist might take center stage. Don't be afraid to gently redirect the focus. Phrases like "That's a great point, [name]. I'd love to hear what [other panelist name] thinks about this" ensure everyone's voice is heard. Polite interruption is a superpower! If someone goes off-topic or expands on a point excessively, intervene. A simple "Thank you for that insight! To stay on track, let's move on to..." keeps the conversation focused without being rude.
A panel interview is not only a dialogue between you and your panelists, but also a conversation with your audience. You want to make sure that your listeners feel involved and interested in what you and your panelists are saying. You can do this by addressing your audience directly, asking them to share their feedback or questions, or inviting them to participate in a poll or a challenge. You can also use storytelling, humor, and anecdotes to make the interview more lively and relatable.
Don't forget your audience! A panel interview isn't just host-to-panelist, it's a conversation with listeners too. Keep them engaged by: 1. Direct Connection: Address them directly, ask for feedback/questions, or poll their opinions. 2. Interactive Elements: Incorporate polls, challenges, or Q&A sessions to boost participation. 3. Storytelling Power: Weave stories, humor, and anecdotes into the interview to make it relatable and lively. By fostering a two-way dialogue, you create an engaging experience that keeps listeners hooked!
One additional approach that can help during the interview itself is gently redirecting the conversation. You can interject with a polite comment like, "That's fascinating, but I'd love to hear from others as well," or "Let's give others a chance to share their thoughts too." This way, you maintain control over the flow of the conversation and ensure everyone gets a chance to contribute. It's all about striking a balance and making sure everyone's voice is heard.
Engaging the audience turns a simple panel discussion into an immersive experience. One creative approach is incorporating live or recorded audience questions into the segment. This not only makes listeners feel valued but also introduces fresh perspectives. Additionally, leveraging social media for pre-interview polls or questions can pique interest and tailor the conversation to audience curiosities. Integrating interactive elements, like a quiz related to the episode's theme, can further boost engagement. Storytelling and humor are indeed powerful tools that bring topics to life, making the content memorable and shareable!
Engaging your audience can help mitigate the dominance of panelists during a podcast interview. Encourage listener participation by soliciting questions or comments in advance and integrating them into the discussion. Incorporate interactive elements such as polls or Q&A sessions to foster a sense of community involvement and diversify the conversation. By actively involving your audience, you not only enrich the content of your podcast but also shift the focus away from dominant panelists, creating a more inclusive and interactive experience for all stakeholders.
After you finish recording, don't forget to thank your panelists for their time and contribution. You can also ask them for their feedback on the interview and how they felt about it. This will help you improve your skills and build rapport with your panelists. You can also send them a link to the final episode when it's published and ask them to share it with their networks. This will help you reach a wider audience and grow your podcast.
Absolutely, the follow-up is a key step often overlooked. It's a golden opportunity to not only express gratitude but also to forge stronger connections and gather insights for improvement. I've found that sending a personalized thank you note or even a small thank-you gift can leave a lasting impression. Additionally, asking for feedback in a structured, perhaps even anonymous, way allows for honest and constructive comments. Sharing the final episode with a customized message encourages panelists to promote the podcast, leveraging their networks for broader reach. This practice not only enhances your podcast's quality over time but also helps in building a loyal and engaged panelist community.
Gratitude goes a long way! After recording, thank your panelists for their time and insights. Bonus: Ask for feedback on the interview – it helps you improve! Don't stop there! Send them the final episode and politely request they share it with their networks. This expands your reach and grows your audience. By showing appreciation and fostering collaboration, you build rapport and create a win-win situation!
Post recording, make sure that you send a personalised thank you email to everyone. Don't WhatsApp or text if the guests are senior level folks. Email is a better option. A review link before publishing is great. Although, let them know what you're expecting from them while sending the preview link. If you are not expecting feedback but just an approve, communicate accordingly.
I have a simple template for follow-up 1. Thank the guest after the podcast with a custom message 2. Ask for a testimonial but don't go beyond a single reminder after a couple of days if you don't receive the testimonial 3. Edit and upload the podcast within the time frame already communicated before the podcast 4. Tag guest in all uploads 5. Ask for feedback after the above process which helps to improve future podcasts 6. Keep posting short content from the podcast in the upcoming days
Following up after the podcast interview is crucial to address any issues related to panelists dominating the conversation. Reach out to panelists individually to discuss their contributions and provide feedback on their speaking time and engagement levels. Use this opportunity to reinforce the importance of balanced participation and remind panelists of the ground rules established for future interviews. Additionally, consider sharing anonymized feedback from listeners regarding panelist dominance and discuss strategies for improvement collaboratively. By actively following up on the interview, you demonstrate your commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive discussion environment while empowering panelists to contribute effectively.
1. Embrace Different Formats: Consider experimenting with interview formats. Maybe a shorter "rapid-fire" round with quick questions for all panelists, or a dedicated segment where each panelist dives deep into their area of expertise. 2. Promote Your Podcast: Beyond encouraging panelists to share, use the comments section to your advantage! Briefly promote your podcast, include links to previous episodes, and invite viewers to subscribe for more insightful interviews. 3. Embrace the Unexpected: Sometimes, interviews take unexpected turns. As the host, be adaptable and use these moments as opportunities for deeper exploration or humorous anecdotes.
Alongside implementing strategies to address panelist dominance during podcast interviews, consider diversifying your panel composition to include a range of perspectives and expertise. Encourage panelists to share personal anecdotes or experiences, fostering authenticity and depth in the conversation. Additionally, explore alternative formats such as breakout sessions or roundtable discussions to allow for more focused interactions and prevent one or two panelists from monopolizing the conversation. Finally, continuously evaluate and iterate on your moderation techniques and audience engagement strategies to ensure that your podcast interviews remain dynamic, engaging, and inclusive.