Conducting a Successful Podcast Interview

A successful podcast host should possess qualities that keep listeners engaged, and invested, in what they have to say. They should have great conversational skills, be friendly, and should project an openness that allows guests and listeners to connect with them. In addition, podcast hosts need to be able to control the flow of conversation and present information in a way that is accessible to the average listener. That being said, a great podcast host does not necessarily have to be an “expert” on every topic that they choose to address. 

Many successful hosts will recognize gaps in their own knowledge and use this as an opportunity to bring an expert on to their show. Having a guest that is knowledgeable and dynamic can make for an interesting and fun addition to the regular flow of your podcast. In a situation such as this, the host will take on a different role in the podcast. As the host you will need to guide conversation in the direction that you want to take and ensure that major talking points are being covered, while still allowing for your guest to naturally take the reins in the conversation. 

If done well, a solid interview can be a large draw for new listeners who are excited to hear what your expert has to say. In addition to this, it would be an interesting challenge and opportunity to grow as a host.  

If you are considering bringing a guest on to your podcast, you may want to keep these tips in mind to ensure that this experience is positive for you, your host and your listeners.  

Make Sure Your Guest is Qualified

Even the most skilled hosts can only steer the conversation so much. You could be Walter Cronkite and still conduct a poor interview if your guest does not have the knowledge or skills to substantiate the interview. Make sure that you are vetting your guests beforehand. This is going to mean doing some research into their qualifications and experiences, as well as meeting with them prior to the interview. In addition to their qualifications, you want to make sure that your guest is comfortable speaking about the topic, and can do so in a way that will capture the attention of your listeners. Your guest should have both a well-rounded knowledge of the subject matter, but also a passion for the subject that is conveyed through their words and tone. 

Try to Build a Solid Rapport with your Guest Before the Interview

While you are conducting your interview, you’ll want conversation to flow naturally between you and your guest. If the conversation is stiff or uncomfortable, this will be noticeable to your listeners. Meet with your guest beforehand and try to establish a connection. Try to get to know them as a person apart from their field or expertise. This will allow you to add more personal touches throughout the interview. Having chemistry with your guests will greatly increase the quality of your episode, as well as draw in other potential guests who will view this as a positive opportunity for them. The benefit of having recurring guests is that your chemistry will only continue to grow with each interaction. 

A lot of communication is expressed through tone of voice and word choice. Be mindful of this when you are conducting your interview, as well as in your off-air interactions. 

Prepare Exploratory, Open-Ended Questions

Your guest may not have all their answers planned. This could actually be a positive for your podcast, as over-scripting can make the interview stiff and boring. However, you do not want to put your guest in a position where they need to develop their own talking points. Asking solid, open-ended questions leads your guest to the most natural explanation of a topic, thus making your podcast episode much more informative and interesting, while also keeping the goals of your interview in mind. You will need to determine these goals ahead of time, and use them to determine which questions you need to ask. 

For example; you may have a podcast that offers tips to young entrepreneurs who are trying to build a solid foundation for their business. You decide that you want to bring a successful young entrepreneur on to your podcast to offer guidance to your listeners based on their first-hand experience. You decide that the goal of this episode is to offer a transparent perspective of what it is like to start your own business. If the goal is to be transparent and honest, your guest should be touching on both the positive and negative sides of being a young entrepreneur, as opposed to sugar-coating their personal journey. With this in mind, you want to then develop a set of questions that will allow your guest to dive into their struggles as well as their successes. Working collaboratively with your guest to determine these goals ahead of time  is a great way to develop a positive working relationship and ensure that you are both on the same page when you enter into the interview.  

Be a Good Listener

Being a good listener involves more than simply hearing what your guest has to say. First and foremost, do not interrupt your guest while they are talking. This will not only put a strain on your relationship, but will also interrupt the natural flow of the conversation. 

Also, you may want to take notes while your guest is speaking. This will keep you engaged and may help you nail down a future talking point that you want to bring up. 

You should have a genuine interest in the conversation and in the topic. Do your own research ahead of time so that you do not risk zoning out if you lose track of what your guest is talking about. Your listeners should be able to detect your interest through the interview. If you are not fully invested in the conversation, why should your listeners be?

Go with the Flow

Sometimes, no matter how much you plan things, they can naturally take a different route. It is important to remain flexible and assess the interview as it goes on. This is when being a good listener will come into play. Always keep the conversation moving forward by asking questions that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no”, and allow yourself to get a little sidetracked sometimes as long as you are able to bring the conversation back to your original goal. 

Practice

This practice can take place in your pre-interview meet up with your guest. Have some fun with the conversation and see what comes up without too much planning. You may come across something that you’d like to incorporate into the interview, or even decide that some topics should be avoided during the real thing. This practice can also help a guess who is less experienced in public speaking warm up to the idea of having their words recorded.