Thinking Beyond the Guest Interview
It’s easy to think systematically about your podcast episodes. You conduct your research, find the perfect guests, invite them to be on an upcoming episode, pencil them in, and then you hit record. But, let’s imagine how impactful your podcast could be if you thought about this process in a different way. In this article, we identify five areas to focus on so that you can get the most out of your guest interviews.
Develop Your Episode Ahead of Time.
Some of the best podcasts out there seem organic and off the cuff, but in reality there's some preparation involved. The goal is to come off genuine and relaxed during your conversation. Certainly, flexibility is key for discovery and segues into new topics. If you expect an overarching theme or key answer during the episode, then it’s incredibly helpful to set intention prior to recording. Here’s a step-by-step guide to properly plan for your upcoming guest interview.
Craft a general outline for your episode
Double check software and hardware
Close out all unnecessary windows and tabs
Silence notifications
Remember to speak 10% slower than you normal would
Allow for guest interjections via brief pauses
Actively listen to the conversation to respond appropriately
Remember to simply to take a deep breathe, relax and be in the moment
Harness Your Story.
As a host, your job is to listen to your guest, weigh in on their responses and thoughts, and ultimately story tell. Whether you are comfortable sharing deeply personal details about your life, or you just keep it surface level, the key is to harness the craft and emotionally connect with your listeners. Take time to uncover your compelling narrative by reflecting on personal anecdotes. A tip would be to focus on stories you have told in the past, which get a good laugh at outings and events.
Be Presentable.
Your podcast may be audio-only but it’s imperative that you prioritize looking your best, so you feel your best, and can perform your best. Presentation and beauty is not about being conceited, it’s more related to well-being. Being presentable can boost your overall mood and enhance your performance. With that, goes investing in your equipment. You want your sound quality, and even video quality, on point to catch the eyes and ears of your audience.
Connect to a Qualified Niche.
The word niche gets a bad rep, meaning that most people think it literally means “small.” A niche audience is an incredible opportunity to highly engage and convert. It’s almost like a cult, having already defined their pain points, they are now looking for the solution. When developing your podcast, always think back to your personas and even secondary personas (those who influence your original demographic). These audiences present a unique opportunity to connect more personally, leaving you to captivate the audience and draw them to your brand making them loyal customers.
Re-Package Your Content.
The content generated from your podcast can play an integral role at every stage of your sales and marketing process. Think about each episode beyond the video or audio file. Leverage this expertise and thought leadership to generate new sales prospects. The information shared can guide the following assets:
Lead generation emails
Social ads
eBook
Webinars
New product/service validation
Fundraising
Looking for an all-inclusive service?
If you are looking for an all-inclusive service to create content that converts, reach out to us at Audily to learn more about producing your own podcast.
