The best podcasts carefully choose their guests and with very good reason. There are at least 750,000 podcasts out there and over 30 million episodes. In other words, competition for listener’s attention is fierce. If you’re about to be a podcast guest for the first time, this might seem intimidating, but it is actually a great way to expose your point of view and brand to a wider audience.

If you’re a fan of podcasts already, then you’ll be familiar with how the medium works. Interviewing guests has become somewhat of a standard operating procedure, and more often than not, it’s carried out remotely. As a result, you and your host can be in separate locations recording your own parts of the interview. But there’s more to it all than just clicking record. Here we give you our 8 tips for being a great podcast guest.

✴ 1. Research the Show

Each podcast has its own individual style and purpose. The first thing you’ll want to do is to understand the unique character of the show you’re appearing on. Listen to a few episodes to get a feel for the flow of the interviews. What sort of topics do they cover? What kind of audience are they targeting? Reading reviews for the podcast can give you some great insight into the likes and dislikes of the people listening. If you can work out why they’ve chosen to follow the podcast you’re being featured on, then you can tailor your content and tone to make sure it really hits home.

✴ 2. Be Prepared

While podcast interviews do tend to adopt a more informal and personal feel, you still want to be prepared. If you’ve researched the show in advance, then you’ll already be in the loop about its general subject matter. If the host specifically asks you to conduct any preparations beforehand, then carry out your due diligence. The sooner you can get it done, the better, just in case you have any questions. And whenever possible, try to keep a few personal stories or anecdotes at the ready. They’re often the most effective way to get your point across and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

✴ 3. Make Sure You’re Wired for Sound

Good audio quality can make all the difference between an ok guest and a great podcast guest. If you already have a quality mic, use it. If you’ve only got a headset microphone or the built-in one on your laptop, consider investing in a decent mic. While your mic is not going to be a make or break your actual content, it really does make a noticeable difference in the listening experience.

If you’re in a room with hard surfaces, placing towels or blankets on them can help to reduce that irritating, high-pitched sound you sometimes get on podcasts. You might have even heard of podcasters who record in their closet. All the absorbing qualities of the clothes actually make your closet a great recording location. If you’d like to take your podcasts to the next level, invest in some acoustic foam to attach to your walls, which increases the sound quality significantly.

✴ 4. Foresee Distractions and Interruptions

If you’ve got children or pets, then you’re probably a pro at reacting swiftly whenever they pop up at the least convenient times. Double-check that the coast is clear, and call-in extra support for the duration of your recording session if you need to.

The same goes for household appliances that might create distracting background sounds. Your valued listeners probably don’t want to hear your washing machine or rattling air-conditioner in the distance. Better to be a little warm instead of an annoying hum sound over your words. And at the very least, see to it that your mobile phone is switched to silent.

✴ 5. Stick to the Script (but not too much)

You don’t want to come across as a news reporter with a literal script. While brief notes will help you remember what you want to say, anything more will make you sound unnatural. However, it’s important to have a clear idea of what your messages are and try to stay on course.

Your answers should be succinct and to the point. Try not to ramble or go off on a tangent. Although it’s difficult when you’re nervous, avoid filling any silences with those umm and ahh noises, if you can. And just as importantly, refer to the host by name throughout your interview, it helps to create a warm, personal tone.

✴ 6. Call for retakes only when necessary

Unlike the Hollywood movies, podcasts rarely have 50 takes to get them right. Even with some of the best podcasts, editing is often minimal, and every edit means extra time and money for your host. While you might not be completely happy with an answer you gave or a particular segment of the interview, try to keep retake requests to a minimum. If there’s something that you absolutely can’t tolerate and want to change, then tell your host as soon as possible. This will make it easier for them to incorporate the new material into the podcast without causing a major disruption.

✴ 7. Have Your Call to Action Ready

Great podcast guests know that attempting to give listeners the hard sell is likely to have them running for the hills. That being said, you want them to be able to reach you once the show is over so have a call-to-action prepared. Some guests create a specific landing page on their website for listeners of the show. This might include a special offer for a product you’re selling or more information about the topics you’ve discussed. At the very least, you’ll want to have details of where listeners can contact or follow you on social media.

✴ 8. Post-Show Etiquette

Your role as a podcast guest doesn’t end with “that’s all folks!”. Once you’ve finished your interview, send your host a message to say thank you. This could be an email, a letter, or even a quick video. It just lets them know that you appreciate them having you on and helping you to get your message out there. If you have contacts that would make great future guests, offer to connect your host with them. Then, once the podcast is live - share, share, share! Promote it as far and wide as possible - great podcast guests realize that half the work is in the follow-up.

…And now you’re ready to be a great podcast guest

We hope these tips have helped you to feel better prepared for your guest slot. While podcasting is a fairly informal medium, a lot more work goes into preparing for a show than many people realize. It can be a nerve-wracking experience the first few times. The best podcasts understand this and help to put their guests at ease with advice and tips of their own. By following these, along with our guidance above, you’ll gain a reputation as a great podcast guest and maybe even get requests for more features.

Curious about starting a podcast of your own? Launch your podcast in 30 days with this checklist.

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8 Tips For Being A Great Podcast Guest