What are the best practices and tips for live interviewing and hosting guests?

1 Prepare your guests

To ensure a successful live interview, it is essential to adequately prepare your guests. You can send them a brief overview of the topics and questions that will be covered, and ask if they have any preferences or suggestions. Additionally, you should test their audio and video quality and make sure they have a stable internet connection, a quiet and well-lit environment, and the appropriate device and software. Explain the format and duration of the show, as well as how they can interact with you and the audience. Remind them of the date and time of the show, and ask them to join a few minutes before it starts to ensure everything is ready.

2 Engage your audience

To make your live show lively and interactive, it’s important to engage your audience. You can create an environment where they feel part of the conversation by encouraging them to ask questions, share feedback, and participate in polls or quizzes. Start by introducing yourself and your guest, giving a brief overview of what you will discuss and why it matters to your audience. Ask them to introduce themselves and acknowledge their comments and reactions throughout the show. Invite them to submit questions for your guest, and use interactive features such as polls, quizzes, stickers, or emojis to get their opinions and feedback. Lastly, thank your audience for joining and invite them to follow you and your guest on social media or other platforms.

3 Manage the flow

To ensure a good live interview, you should have a clear and coherent flow that keeps your audience's attention and interest. It's important to have a structure and agenda for your show, and be flexible and adaptable to adjust your questions and topics according to your guest's responses and the audience's feedback. Respect and courtesy should be maintained throughout the interview, and you should be mindful of the time to wrap up on a positive note. You can use cues, such as transitions, summaries, or recaps, as well as follow-up questions, clarifications, or examples to deepen the discussion. Additionally, positive feedback like compliments or appreciation can build rapport and trust with your guest. Finally, you can use a call to action such as asking your audience to subscribe or share to encourage further engagement.

4 Handle technical issues

Technical issues can be a major problem in live broadcasting, so it's important to minimize the risk of glitches, errors, or delays and have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Before going live, test your equipment and software to make sure everything is working properly. You can also do a rehearsal or a test run with your guest and a few trusted viewers to check the quality and functionality of your show. Additionally, have a reliable and secure internet connection, as well as a backup device and software. It's also helpful to have a backup guest or co-host in case your main guest cannot join or drops out. During the show, communicate with your guest and audience and let them know if you are experiencing any technical issues. Humor, apologies, or explanations can help ease any tension or frustration.