How can you ensure a diverse range of guests on your podcast?

One thing I have found helpful in booking guests for my podcasts is to leave my biases at the door. It is best to be open and welcoming of any opportunity that comes your way, and booking guests is no exception! Of course, being selective and ensuring a guest will be a good fit for your show is the most important thing, however, making sure that you aren't saying "no" to someone based on your thoughts or feelings on a topic will get you farther.

No amount of cold reach-outs or tapping your existing network will help you if you don't have a plan to your chaos (sounds contradictory but hear me out). Know the subtopics you want to shed light on throughout your season taking 12 episodes as a standard decide ideally 3 buckets of content types and have 4 guests of each category (x 2 that is 24 guests in total you'll reach out to ATLEAST). This way you'll have 4 different categories of guests for your show covering 4 diverse topics.

Diverse guests always bring different perspectives and make your audience think beyond their biases and fixed approaches. Here are some best ways to do this: 1) Finding topics that resonate with your podcast objective and that need guests from different walks of life. 2) Do deep research so that your guests can connect and resonate which gives them a space to open up. 3) Share your topic and ideas over an email for your guests to find a common thread that will ease the booking process. 4) Lastly, a pre-call with your guests before recording the episode always helps because then you all are on the same page.

Start talking about human-centric issues that interest you on a passionate level, not system-relevant how-to sales or system-authority. If you are an authority/expert talk common-sense so listeners/viewers can relate to you. This means the right metaphors to explain a difficult point #TheSmartofArt #humanabilities #PodPros #Dyslexicthinking

Ensuring diverse guests means purposefully searching for people who are both inside the communities you’re already part of, as well as communities you aren’t part of and maybe have never even heard of before. This is when it’s helpful to get clear on why you’re creating this podcast and who it’s for. This allows you to get really clear on 1) the ideal guests you want to interview, 2) the conversation topics that sound fun and are also aligned with your podcast’s theme or subject matter, and 3) why it sounds so fun (and purposeful.)

When networking and doing your research to expand your reach and diversity of guests for your podcast, the best thing to keep in mind is this: Find people you don't exactly see eye to eye with or don't fully understand. What makes for a transformational conversation on a podcast is NOT a guest and host agreeing on every little issue and topic. Instead, it's the ones that have a healthy debate and opportunity to learn from each other. That's the magic you create when you find someone who isn't exactly like you!

LinkedIn is a goldmine for research! Start by using Boolean search operators (e.g., "AND," "OR," "NOT") to refine your searches. Combine keywords, job titles, and company names to find your ideal podcast guests or partners. For instance, you can search "Marketing Manager" AND "Tech Industry" to find relevant professionals. Leverage these operators to dig deeper into LinkedIn's vast database and uncover the perfect connections for your podcast. SparkToro is another tool that may be useful!

I lowered my episode output. As a guest, if you have nothing (human-centrically) to contribute wait. As a host, if you have noting (human-centrically) to contribute go through your life, read and talk to other humans till passion strikes. Then look for a guest who is versed in this topic. Podcasting is a deeply human-centric medium that differentiates itself from mass market system-relevant content. Unless you want to compete with the 1 or 1% of YouTube (mass output) or Rogan or Stern (interestingly very humane.) #TheSmartofArt #humanabilities #PodPros #Dyslexicthinking

Sharing a few ways I follow to find podcast guests for my clients here: 1) Instagram and LinkedIn: Both these platforms are super helpful for researching and finding guests for your podcast. Type the category and narrow down your research by country and you will find some right kind of people. For example: we needed a relationship therapist for one of our shows, so we searched them on both these platforms. Made a list of people and then we started the research process in detail. Once we are done, we narrow down the list and send an outreach email and sometimes DM them. Most of the time, it works. 2) Network and References: Another important way to reach out to guests is through our network and by asking people to share references.

If you’re just getting started, searching on social media (LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.) can be helpful. You can use keywords, hashtags, or even start with someone you already know who seems really cool. Look who’s in their network or who’s commented on the post. You can search for Facebook groups that relate to that topic, niche, or industry. You can tell people you know that you’re starting a podcast (woohoo??), and share specific details of your ideal guest to see if they know anyone who’s a fit. They may not know someone or be able to think of someone right away, and that’s OK. They may surprise you randomly, reaching out in the future with a great guest suggestion!

Create a system for hosting your guests. NOT read: "do the same thing for every single person, every single time" Having a playbook for guests on your show will help you keep from forgetting anything important and is something you can improve upon over time. Including the ask, being on your podcast should be as painless as possible. It helps streamline the experience so you can focus on the thing that really matters - personalization. Once you have a system that adequately frees up your attention, dive even more into the guest experience. If your process seems robotic guests will start to feel like they're on an assembly line. Individualized "fun" things help keep guests amped to be on your show, which results in better interviews.

I have found a greater response rate from intentional and authentic messages. Taking the time to curate a thoughtful invitation is much more personal than form / automated emails. We all get dozens of offers every day and the world is noisy. Offering an authentic request goes so much farther than vague form fill “I’d like to connect” messages.

Over time I have developed an approach to requesting guests that works for me. It is not a matter of copy and pasting a script, rather tailoring a message and explaining why you think your podcast is an appropriate fit for your guest.

When you resonate with a host or guest keep in tough and exchange anything when you have something to contribute to this person. Dance in your relationships. This is an inherent talent we all have by birth. #TheSmartofArt #humanabilities #PodPros #Dyslexicthinking

When reaching out to potential guests, the most important things are to be intentional and thoughtful. If you’re reaching out to someone because you think they’re a rockstar, tell them the specifics about why and that you’d be so honored for them to join you. Sharing these specifics matter, because it shows you did your research, you care, and that you’re being intentional. Your message doesn’t need to be a novel, but it should tell them some basics about your podcast and why they are a great fit. You also should include how they can take action if they are interested in being a guest, such as including a scheduling link or asking for their availability.

Remember that research is not just about collecting a bunch of factoids that anyone can rattle off. It's about fast-tracking the process learning someone's expertise and interests. Ideally, you'd have known this person for years. But usually, you have a few hours a week to learn the human. Do pre-interviews whenever you can. It will help you both get a feel for one another outside of the pressure of the recording room. I believe this is worth a thousand hours of research because you're learning the person and not a data set. And nothing will help you more in an interview than that. This will help you ask more insightful questions –?ones that provide sufficient context and nuance so guests can get to the meat of the conversation.

One reason I don't have an "interview" podcast because I have not a lot of questions that are general. If I would be the host of an interview podcast I would use the least famous or system-relevant people because what more do you need to know from system icons like Elon, Jeff etc.? #TheSmartofArt #humanabilities #PodPros #Dyslexicthinking

Having a reference document with all the pertinent, high-level details can be so helpful during your conversation, especially when starting your podcast! Ideally, it’s best to keep it to a few pages so you don’t get overwhelmed or lost in the details. It should include high-level themes/topics you want to mention or ask about it, as well as any key information like statistics, quotes, etc. Many experienced podcast guests and speakers may not need much information beforehand, whereas people who are not accustomed to being in the media or sharing their story may benefit from having a little more insight.

Preparing for podcast interviews is an art, and it's worth crafting your own communication template for efficiency and professionalism. Utilizing technology like calendar links simplifies scheduling, streamlining the process for both you and your guests. Introducing new technology and software gradually ensures a smooth transition. Researching your guest's social media profiles offers valuable insights, allowing you to ask questions that truly resonate with them. This thoughtful approach not only enhances the interview experience but also strengthens your podcast's overall quality and impact. It's a strategic way to make each episode engaging, organized, and tailored to your guest's interests.

Follow ups are common business etiquette to express your reliability. I would say no one has an idea of promoting. The only good promotion is when it is something totally fresh. But agencies rather do quantity and relay on success patterns that are in truth none. #TheSmartofArt #humanabilities #PodPros #Dyslexicthinking

When the podcast episode is going live, definitely let the guest (or their team) know. Also, you can share any graphics and links associated with their episode. Providing the guest with all of the related material and links makes it quicker and easier for them to share if they’re comfortable doing so. While it is great and so exciting when the podcast guest does share the episode, this should not be the expectation.

No one feels more used when they've been courted throughout the entire process only to be discarded once we have what we set out to get. Just as they were an amazing resource as a guest on the show, they'll help you with promotion, engagement, and other important show growth processes. Try to imagine each guest as a long-term VIP audience member and you'll do what is necessary to help them along. Remember! They're not just sharing this with coworkers and their professional worker. They're likely playing it for their family, spouses... maybe even their Mama! Make them look and feel good :-) And don't forget that there are podcast strategies, especially in B2B, where forming relationships with your guests can help propel business.

Running a podcast comes with its challenges, but it's crucial to stay true to yourself and be consistent. Many of us pursue podcasting because of our passion for the topics, even if it doesn't always bring financial rewards. Remember, it's not about the numbers; even if you impact just one listener, you're making a difference. So, don't be too hard on yourself, and keep up the great work, fellow podcasters. Your dedication and authenticity shine through in your content, and that's what truly matters.