How to Get the Most Out of Your Interview Podcast

Hosting a podcast that you bring guests onto is a great way to incorporate business development into your marketing process. But, if you want to build a connection with your guests and win business from their companies, there are a few things you should do before you even hit record. Here’s how to make the most of your podcast:

Pre-Episode Chat

Book your guest in for a 15-minute chat a couple of weeks or days before you record your episode together. This is a great way to build rapport, find out what they are excited about, what they want to get out of appearing on your podcast, and if there are any topics you should steer clear of.

A pre-recording chat is also a great chance for you to see how you interact with each other and adjust your hosting style in advance. For example, if they’re someone who goes on long tangents, you might need to practice gently redirecting them so your episode can stay on theme. If they only give you really short answers, you might want to think of some extra follow-up questions to draw out their more in-depth insights.

After your prep call, you should send your guests a summary and agenda for the actual episode. This will help them settle in and prepare beforehand and is another great touchpoint to keep them engaged throughout the process. Make sure your agenda includes the main questions you’ll be asking them! You can always go a little off-script, but it makes a huge difference if you’re both on the same page about what you’ll discuss and when.

It’s also worth making sure this document is clearly written and well-presented. You could even go as far as making a branded PDF for each quest if you want to be really professional about it. That will make you stand out from more amateur podcasters and leave a lasting impression.

Guiding the Conversation

I’ve also got a few tips for when you record your episodes. There’s a delicate balance between touching on all your planned topics and going with the flow of a conversation, which is a skill that only really comes with practice.

Something that helps me figure out which way to go is thinking about what my audience will get out of the episode. Are there certain key questions they’d need me to ask? Would they be interested in a niche tangent just because I am? Regularly asking them what they’re interested in and tracking which episodes they tune into the most will help you figure out the right topics for your audience. Stick to that rather than your prepared questions.

Another way to manage your interviews well is to keep a notebook beside you while you record. Jot down notes of anything that sparks your interest while your guest talks, then circle back to them and dig deeper into the topic. This also makes you come across as a more engaged host and attentive listener. It also avoids a boring Q&A style interview and creates a more natural conversation for people to listen to.

Showing genuine interest is infectious. If you bring that energy to your podcast, your guests and listeners will feel it too. If your guest is engaged, they’re also more likely to open up and give you better content and more in-depth answers, which is a win all-round.

Focus on Your Guest

Ultimately, the best way to get the most out of an interview podcast is to get the most out of your guest. Whether you do that by researching their area of expertise and asking them in-depth questions about it, or building a rapport with them in advance, making your guests feel comfortable is the best way to get great content from them.

Let me know if I’ve missed anything in the comments! I’d love to hear your hosting tips too.