5 Big Lessons I Learnt From My First Podcast Interviews, That You Should Know.

I love talking. It's one of my favorite things to do, besides spin class (where are my spinners at ??), so when I get asked to be a guest on a podcast or another engagement, I jump at the opportunity. 

Even though I love to communicate, and I thought to be a podcast guest would be easy, it turns out; it wasn't. At least not for the first or second interviews I did.

Over the last several years, I have done many interviews, speaking engagements, and networking events. I have upped my interview skills game with hard work and mishaps along the way. 

I'M GOING TO SHARE WITH YOU FIVE OF THE BIGGEST LESSONS I LEARNED SO THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THESE MISTAKES YOURSELF.

You can also read on for the silly, awkward stories.

1. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A QUALITY MIC

Your sound as a guest is vital to keep listeners engaged. Even if your topic and knowledge you share are highly entertaining, if your sound quality is poor, listeners will disengage. 

But it goes beyond that. Please make sure you select your mic on your computer (cue embarrassing story number one). 

I know it should be a no brainer, but one of the first interviews I performed sounded horrible because even though I HAD an excellent mic, I didn't select that mic in my settings. My cheapie headset mic ended up being the one used (it was lying on the table in front of me).

2. LET THE HOST TALK 

Even though you're the interviewee, make sure you give the host time to breath, and interject thoughts, comments, and questions. An interview show shouldn't be a monologue; it should be a conversation. (Cue second embarrassing memory)

I was a speaker at an event, and afterward, a podcaster came up to see if I would give a quick interview for her listeners. I was thrown a bit off guard. So, instead of letting her take the lead, I rambled on about a completely different topic.  I don't think the interview was ever published.

3. YOU ARE RECORDED THE ENTIRE TIME 

The minute you log on to the interview to the minute you log off, the recording is usually active. Don't say anything that you don't want the world to hear! Wait for the host to give you the cue that the interview has ended before signing off. (Here comes awkward moment number three) 

I had an experience where I thought I wasn't being recorded at the end of an interview and stepped "off-stage" a bit too soon! The host had to call me back and ask for the ending.

4. RESEARCH YOUR HOST BEFORE THE INTERVIEW

You may not have the time or bandwidth to listen to an entire episode, but just Googling the host and looking at their background and then spending a few minutes listening to the format of the podcast can go a long way.

Also, you could ask them to share some information on their audience, so your content is relevant and engaging. 

I don't have an embarrassing moment (phew) for this one, because I always do my research. But, I have been a host on the receiving end of this. During the first 7 minutes of the interview, the guest kept calling me by the wrong name, even after I corrected her twice. Thank goodness for post-production, am I right?!

5. SHARE THE EPISODE WITH YOUR NETWORK

The podcast host may love you, but they are also trying to grow their audience, and it helps the podcast listenership when you share your episode. 

It also helps with your social credibility. So share away!

This is one I still forget sometimes, but luckily I have a marketing lead who keeps me in check!

Here's a link to podcast marketing tips: https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/podcastadvertising_7-simple-tips-to-market-your-podcast-grow-activity-6650404131225907200-6PVm

In closing, if you avoid all the mistakes I made above, and you become a professional interviewee, opportunities will open up quickly for you. After all, the goal is to build your personal brand.

I continue to grow, learn, and become the best guest speaker I can. I hope this has helped you or at least put a smile on your face.

If you are interested in having me as a guest on your podcast, reach out to me!

#podcast #interviewing #personalbranding