If you’re thinking about starting a podcast or a beginner podcast host – interviewing experts and guests on your show can be intimidating. In this blog post, I share some tips and tricks for podcasting and how to become a better interviewer!
Hello! Hello! Hello!
So this week on ‘Let’s Get Into It!’ we had a caller leave a voicemail on the hotline.
Yes, I just said the word “hotline” …If you didn’t know, I set up a phone line so that you guys could call in and leave questions that you would like answered by either a guest or myself. This was a great way to connect with the podcast listeners and also make sure that the content that I’m creating is stuff that you guys really want!
(You can find the number in the show notes of any episode!)
If you’d rather listen to this blog post, you can listen to the full episode by clicking here.
This week’s question was from a new podcaster who has only done solo episodes but wants to start doing interviews. She asked me “How do I become a better interviewer?”
This is such a GREAT question!
I should preface this by saying that for almost 3 years, I worked as a corporate recruiter for a start-up tech company and then move to a multi-billion dollar financial institution. So, I had quite a few interviews under my belt (probably close to 10,000) when I started my podcast and I still felt like there was still a huge learning curve. The context of each interview was completely different. When I was interviewing people for jobs, I was looking for skill-set and certain qualifications. Interviewing for a podcast means that the conversation could go in different directions and there are rarely topics that are off-limits so I had to anticipate questions to ask based on what the person was saying. Needless to say, I went from a very strict interview style to a very loose interview style.
I’ve recorded over 100 episodes and been a guest on countless podcasts. So I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks on being a great interviewer!
Here are a few tips for becoming a great podcast host!
1. Research Your Guest Before The Interview
This might sound like a no-brainer but so many podcast hosts skip out on this. The night before an interview, I look at my guest’s website, listen to other podcasts they’ve been on, check out their social media profiles and really learn as much about them as I can. This helps me think of questions that I might want to ask them and also make sure that my podcast topic is different than any of their previous podcasts. It can help me position the flow of the conversation to support their overall vision is for their business and the world. There is also nothing worse, at least for me, then feeling unprepared during an interview.
2. Think For The Audience
This show isn’t about you. It’s about what value and things people can learn by listening to your show. Of course, having a podcast can help you build your brand and expand your platform but you don’t get to do those things unless you keep people coming back. And how do you keep people coming back? You teach them something. You are providing solutions to their problems. You entertain them. So, what questions would they want you to ask? What areas might they need clarity? Don’t think from your own perspective – think about someone who is just learning about the topic being discussed in the episode.
3. Be Present
I was once being interviewed on another person’s podcast and in the middle of the interview she picked up her phone and started texting. A few minutes later, her phone rang. Then she blurted out that she had a hard cut off time in 10 minutes. Instead of being annoyed (okay let’s be real- I was super annoyed for like 30 minutes after!) I vowed that I would never let a guest feel like I wasn’t totally present during their interview! If I have another meeting to attend or need to leave at a certain time, I let them know BEFORE I hit record or reschedule altogether. I make sure to turn my phone over, put my phone and computer on do not disturb and walk my dog so he’s not super hyper or anxious. Basically, I try to eliminate any distractions that might come up during an interview. That can include making sure I eat, drink and use the bathroom before the interview time. I want my mind to be tuned in to what the person is saying and not wishing I would have eaten my lunch before. Some of the best podcasts I have ever recorded have been when both myself and the guest are zoned in and completely present with each other. Not to get too woo-woo on you, but there is totally something in the air when you’re present and it translates into the energy of the podcast!
4. Practice. Practice. Practice.
The phrase ‘practice makes perfect’ does not apply in the podcasting world. Here is the skinny on podcast interviews – they are never going to be perfect. Like, ever. You’re going to wish that you asked a question while you’re listening back to the interview. You’re going to hate the way your voice sounds. You’re going to have guests who are just…simply bad at being interviewed. You’re going to have episodes where you’re a bad host and ask underwhelming questions. We learn best when we have the opportunity to fail. Not every episode you post is going to be a home run and that is perfectly okay. You’ll do better the next time. The only way to get to 100 interviews is to start at 1 and then 2 and then 3 and then 4 and so on… Just keep practicing. Keep showing up. Keep trying. You’ll find your rhythm.
What are some of your favorite interview tips? Have you thought about starting your own podcast? Should I do more podcast-related blog posts?! Let me know in the comments down below!
Listen To The Podcast Episode On iTunes, Spotify & iHeart Radio
This blog post was originally a podcast episode on my podcast ‘Let’s Get Into It!” You can listen to the latest episode…pretty much anywhere podcast’s are streamed!
#104 ASK BREE: How To Be A Great Interviewer When Just Starting Your Podcast
Click here to listen to this episode on iTunes
Click here to listen to this episode on Spotify
Click here to listen to this episode on iHeart Radio
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave it a review and star rating on whatever platform you’re listening on!
Don’t forget to tag me on instagram @livingbreely so I can give you some love!
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