Finding the Right Guest for Your Podcast

When it comes to figuring out who to ask to be on your podcast, the answer is simple if you ask guest-blogger and radio DJ Sander de Heer: anyone who’s got a story to tell and can tell it well. Of course, that story does have to be relevant to the subject of your podcast. You’re the one who’s in charge of the format, prepares the interview or conversation, and takes your listeners by the hand. Anyone you have on the show should contribute to that, meaning it’s not about simply inviting people that you love chatting with, but about inviting people who can add something meaningful to each episode. Here’s what you need to look out for.

Want to find out how to set up a multi-microphone podcast? Check out this article.

Prep Work

It’s always a good idea to find out exactly who you’re dealing with, so be sure to do a little research on your guest. What have they gone through and how do they speak? In addition to scouring social media and maybe glancing over a Wikipedia page, see if you can dig up any old interviews, whether they’re written interviews or video interviews on YouTube. Also, bear in mind that simply emailing back and forth or contacting a relevant person through LinkedIn won’t cut it, and remember that people who tend to ramble on and on and people who are a bit too loquacious are a nightmare as far as post-production and editing go.

Create the Right Conditions

Generally speaking, people are a lot more loose-lipped when they’re speaking into a microphone than when there’s a camera pointed at them, and even more so when they’re miked up with a clip-on microphone that they can forget they’re wearing. Create a zero-pressure atmosphere and simply let them gush!

Cutting Up and Cutting Out

Most podcasts are pre-recorded, which makes them very different from live TV and radio interviews. This gives you the opportunity to rephrase questions and pause the recording to put your guest more at ease when you sense they’re holding their cards close to their chest. Unexpected events and answers can be a great thing, but don’t hesitate to cut out any bits that don’t contribute to the conversation.

Outlaw Head Honchos and Celebs

Spokespeople, marketing managers and other corporate representatives are generally a no-go. A podcast is about the story behind a brand, it’s not a polished sales pitch, advert, paid promo or marketing campaign so, unless they’ve got something genuine to say, you’re better off avoiding them. The same goes for certain celebs, unless they have an original, never-heard-before story to share.

What About…You?

As the creator of the podcast, you might well be the best person to tell the story. Allow your audience to really see what piques your passion, interests and curiosity, and don’t be afraid to share any personal doubts and fears regarding the subject.

Who would you love to have on your podcast and why? Tell us in a comment below!

See Also

» Audio Interfaces
» Mixers
» USB Microphones
» Condenser Vocal Microphones
» Dynamic Vocal Microphones
» Portable Recorders
» Pop Filters
» Reflection Filters
» Studio Headphones
» Absorbers
» Broadcast Microphone Stands
» Microphone Floor Stands
» Microphone Desktop Stands
» XLR Cables

» What’s the Best Audio Recorder for Me?
» What’s the Best Audio Interface for Me?
» What’s the Best PA Mixer for Me?
» What is the best USB microphone for me?
» What is the best studio microphone for me?
» What’s the Best Speech or Vocal Microphone for Me?
» Podcasting Tips and the Gear You Need to Make it Happen
» Teaching Online – How to Improve Live-Stream Audio Quality
» Live-Stream Your Gig with Great Sound!
» Recording and amplifying vocals for beginners
» How to record a great-sounding demo
» What Does a Producer Do?
» What do you need to produce music?

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