How to Interview Podcast Guests

Ready to host a guest on your podcast but need to brush up on your interviewer skills? Check out some of our tips below!

1. Choose A Guest That Is Interesting AND Relevant To Your Podcast – While it can be exciting to choose from a wide variety of guest appearances for your podcast, the best type of guest is usually one that is not only an interesting subject, but also relevant to your podcast themes and main ideas. Make sure to invite podcast guests that present unique perspectives and are highly experienced in the related subject-matter. The goal is for your interview and guest to engage your listeners and motivate them to think about the topic from a different point of view.
2. Do Your Homework – The key to conducting a valuable interview is to understand your guest’s work and do your research regarding their background. Check out their blogs, their social media, and anything else that might give you insight into their development as an individual. The more information you know about their journey, the easier it will be to come up with the right questions that tie together your interviewee’s background and the subject you want to talk about.
3. Brief Your Guest – It’s important to explain your podcast to your guests. Focus on topics like your podcast format and audience. This way, your guest will know exactly how to answer your questions in the way that best caters to your listeners.
4. Introduce Your Guest To Your Audience – Prepare a short bio about your guest so that your audience can become acquainted as well. In doing so, you can tailor your bio to the interests of your audience and make the introduction unique.
5. Prepare Your Questions Ahead of Time – While it’s better for the interview to have the conversation flow easily between you and your guest, it doesn’t hurt to have a list of questions prepared ahead of time to ensure the conversation stays on track and there are no significant pauses. Avoid yes/no questions, leading questions, and basic questions. Make sure to only ask one question at a time. In addition, make sure you’re asking more open-ended questions that answer questions such as “how” or “why.”
6. Send Your List Of Questions To Your Guest Ahead Of Time – By providing your guest with the questions you plan to ask ahead of time, your guest will also have a chance to think through their answers and present clear, well-thought out responses.

Lastly, make sure you are prepared! Take your interview seriously and make sure you try to make your guest as comfortable as possible. The more interviews you conduct and the more guests you have on your show, the easier it’ll get. You got this, good luck! 🙂