How to Get Started with Podcast Interviews

In this episode of the podcast learn how to get started with podcast interviews. We talk about the equipment you need in place so that you sound and look clear and professional, and how to select which podcasts to pitch to.

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

Get in Touch with Victoria Bennion

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Transcript

Hello and welcome to today’s episode of the Best Guest Podcast where we’re going to talk about what equipment you need in place before you start getting booked as a guest on podcasts and then how you find podcasts that are a good fit for you.

Before you begin pitching podcasts you need to make sure you have the right equipment in place so you’re ready to go when those Yes’s start rolling in.

This is one of the first things we cover with our clients so that they look and sound professional. Yes I did say look as more and more hosts are using video as well as audio. It’s worth getting this part right.

Imagine putting all that effort into booking, preparing for and recording a podcast interview only to have the sound quality so poor that the host can’t use the show. Not only is it a waste of your time but also theirs. Remember, Podcast interviews not only offer you the opportunity to connect and share your message with your target audience but they also offer the chance to build a relationship with the host.

And hosts invest their time and money into their podcasts. They’re dedicated to growing their audience and showing up regularly with great content, so you want to respect their time and the opportunity they’re giving you.

If your interview goes well, the host may invite you back on the show, recommend you to other podcast hosts or become a client so you want to maximise your interview.

One easy way you can do that is to invest in good equipment. This way you’ll be ahead before you even begin.

The good news is that decent equipment doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

There are lots of great options out there but I’m going to focus on the equipment we use or that’s been recommended to us by podcast hosts.

Do not be tempted to use your computer’s in-built microphone. It’s just not good enough. Get yourself an external microphone.

I use the Blue Yeti. It’s a condenser microphone so I set it up on the cardioid recording mode which is perfect for podcasting as you can speak in front of the microphone and it won’t pick up the sounds at the back.

Dynamic microphones eliminates background noise and just picks up your voice. Audio Technica and Rode offer some popular choices among podcasters.

So that’s microphones. Now headphones. Some of our clients wince a little when we tell them that they must wear them especially when the podcast is video not just audio.

But it’s so important for sound quality. Without headphones the listeners may hear an echo or feedback.⠀It doesn’t matter what kind of headphones you use. Choose the kind you find most comfortable. ⠀If you’re worried about your hair wear earphones, just make sure they’re not turned up too loud so the sound doesn’t go back into the microphone.

As we’ve mentioned some podcasts include a video element. Make sure you clarify this before your interview. There’s nothing worse than showing up to an interview assuming it’s audio with wet hair and old clothes only to find out you’re on camera.

Again don’t rely on your computer’s inbuilt webcam. You don’t need to spend much on an external webcam to make an incredible difference. I recently showed the difference between my webcam and inbuilt computer camera in our Facebook group, The Best Guest. The picture goes from grainy and fuzzy to much clearer and professional looking. A decent option is the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920, Widescreen Video Calling and Recording.

So once you’ve got the equipment you need for podcast interviews you’re going to start researching podcasts that would be a good fit for you.

Remember it’s really important you don’t take a scattergun approach unless you’re just getting started and want to build your confidence and get some practice.

It’s not a good idea to send template pitches to a random list of podcasts in the hope that something will stick. It won’t help your credibility to do this and the results will be mediocre at best.

If you take the time to research podcasts properly before you approach them and then suggest being a guest the reward will be tenfold. So with that said, lets look at ways to tell if a podcast is a good fit.

Make a list of a couple of people in your industry. Google their names with the word podcast and note the shows that come up. iTunes has a list of categories for their podcasts. Browse through the most relevant such as business, marketing etc and make a note of all the podcasts that come up.

Next take a closer look at the podcasts on your list:

• Do they have a professional-looking website?

• Do they have a presence on social media?

• Do they promote their podcast to their audience?

• Do they publish their podcast to their website?

• Do they have an email list?

• How regularly do they put out episodes?

• Are they consistent or sporadic?

• How many episodes have they released? Is it more than 20? If they have a steady number behind them, this can be a helpful indicator that the host is committed to making the podcast a success.

• Check the podcast is active. How recent was the last episode?

• Look at the show description for each podcast. Often it will state who the podcast serves. This is an example from the podcast PTSD and Beyond:

The PTSD and Beyond Podcast brings experts in mental health and self-development as well as people sharing their mental health experiences and journey. PTSD and Beyond episodes are related to PTSD, mental wellness, PTSD awareness, advocacy, education, peer support, trauma recovery, and post-trauma growth. PTSD and Beyond Podcast guests range from peers sharing their stories to researchers discussing the latest case studies to subject matter experts delivering nuggets of practical information.

Think about the podcast’s audience. Is their audience the same as your target audience? You can delve deeper by looking at the comments on their social media channels and their reviews on iTunes to get a rounder picture of the show’s audience and how engaged they are.

Listen to a couple of episodes. Does their style suit you? Does it fit your brand? You’ll have your own criteria as well. For example, we have clients who say to us swearing is a No and that’s fine.

Look at the episodes already made. Do they chime with the content you could offer? Is there a gap somewhere that you could fill? Think about how you could you add value to the host’s audience.

And look at the podcast host. Are they a good connection for you? Sometimes the host is the person who will become your client or someone who can open doors for you. Would it be beneficial to be in their network?

Now you have your list. Tune in to our next episode to learn what to put in your pitch to 10 times your chance of a yes.