How to Host Excellent Podcast Interviews
Recently I got this question in my Instagram DM box from a listener:
“I'm about 25 episodes deep into my podcast and want to start bringing on guests. I LOVE your interviewing style. You always make the conversation feel so organic versus reading through a list of questions/topic you want to discuss. Do you have any tips on how to achieve this? I'm starting with business friends and I want to make sure these are valuable to my audience and my guests. I've been putting this off because interviewing seems so intimidating to me!”
I’m so glad this question was asked! I put together 8 tips on how to make sure that your interview flows naturally, is engaging to listen to, and provides a ton of value to your listeners.
Here’s a sneak peek:
Know why you are having a particular guest on your show [5:50]
Focus on specific moments [9:55]
Highlight specific steps [16:31]
That said, a wandering conversation can be magic [19:01]
Don't assume only big name guests are valuable to your audience [21:09]
Guide your guest, but don't try to control too much [24:55]
Let your curiosity guide you [28:29]
Don't be afraid to add your own experiences & opinion to the mix! [30:48]
1. Know why you are having a particular guest on your show
What is it about them, their story, or their expertise that you feel is relevant & helpful to your listeners? Use that as your guiding star, and try writing the headline for your episode before you do the interview to help you stay on track.
You don’t have to know every detail in advance — there’s beauty in letting the conversation unfold — but you should have a theme or topic in mind.
2. Focus on specific moments
When people tell their story, they tend to summarize and it comes off as very boring — especially on a podcast where all you have is the sound of their voice. Instead, ask your guests questions like, “Can you think of exactly where you were and what you were doing when you realized XYZ?”
It might seem a bit weird to ask those questions at first, but this is a way to guarantee that you will get a story that will stick with your listeners.
Alex Blumberg talks about this strategy in his podcasting course on CreativeLive that I highly recommend!
3. Highlight specific steps
It’s often, but not always, easier for the brain to sort a series of tips or steps vs. a conversation that bounces all over. Recap the steps as you go so the audience can keep track.
4. A wandering conversation can be magic
On the other hand, as long as you have an objective to anchor you, you can have a fantastic conversation that circles back to all the main points. I would say this is a more advanced conversation style, so you might work with the tip 1, tip 2 strategy for a while.
5. Don’t assume that only big name guests are valuable to your audience
Big names often mean big businesses with their own big schedules, so they may not always share about your episode as much as someone who is smaller and a lot more excited about being on your show.
Some of my most popular (and valuable!) episodes were with people who nobody knows about! It’s all about getting the best guest with the most valuable story or information to share.
6. Guide your guest, but don’t try to control too much.
Think about the way an expert kayaker would handle white water rapids. I don’t suggest thinking up every question you want to ask in advance, and I wouldn’t send someone the questions.
Have some questions jotted down, but allow yourself to bend to your own curiosity.
7. Let your curiosity guide you
Speaking of which — if you are curious, your audience will likely also be curious. Conversely, if you’re bored, your audience will likely be bored as well.
Trust your own interest and ask about things that you are personally curious about. Follow the line of questioning as it comes up. Follow your own curiosity.
8. Don’t be afraid to add your own experiences!
A good interview is a back and forth. You want your guest to shine, but your take can help the conversation go even deeper.
Links & Resources
Want to dive deeper into exploring story-telling on your podcast? I highly recommend Alex Blumberg’s podcasting course on CreativeLive.