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Being a Stellar Podcast Guest: Best Practices

Jan 06, 2022

Becoming an author means you will have more opportunities to share your message with the world.

It is possible to use podcasts to your advantage, but there is an equal risk of investing a lot of time, energy & sometimes money, with nothing in return. So take these tips to heart:

Clarify your message:

Be sure to have honed your Expert Positioning Statement (need help on this -- go back read & watch the training on this) What are you about? What is the core message (in its simplest form) that you want to share with the world?

Have a media kit ready:

A speaker one sheet or media kit is a simple way for hosts to know who you are & what you are about. Hosts will want your socials, bio & core message to even know if you are a good fit for their show... (learn more about this).

Pre-qualify your podcasts:

Thought leaders share their message with the right people at the right time. Ask: are the listeners of this podcast my target audience? either for my book or my message/service?

If it is not a resounding YES, check yourself. -- or nothing may come of the time you put into showing & and marketing your podcast appearance.

Add value:

Be sure to add value to the audience. Otherwise, you are just blowing smoke. If you can offer insight, inspiration & transformation in the course of the interview, the host & listeners will be hooked. They will want more from you.

Tighten up your offer:

Have something to offer (not sell directly) but a way for listeners to connect & learn/experience more of the transformation you offer.

PLUS:

Listen to a few of the earlier episodes: get to know the host & format
Practice your expert positioning statement so it comes naturally & you don't have to read it off, or trip over your words.
Come ready & without distraction: don't be in your car, silence your phone, etc. This is a huge opportunity for you to shine. Take it seriously.
Relax & Have Fun!!! If you are nervous or uncomfortable it is going to come across & honestly make you sound mature or worse, untrustworthy.

Questions to ask:

Who is the typical listener?
How long is the interview?
when is the expected release of the episode? (some podcasts record months before airing)
Do you need any special equipment?
Clarify the time & place (digital especially. do you have the right link/app etc.?)
Is the interview audio-only or audio & video?
How does the host promote the episode?
How are you expected to promote the episode?

Here are just a few tips and suggestions that are pretty universal:

● If you have one please be prepared to use a podcasting microphone for this interview. At the very least use a set of earbuds like the ones that come with your smartphone. They provide higher quality sound than your computer’s native microphone.

● Please be in a quiet room for our call where you’re not likely to be interrupted.

● Please turn off your cell phone and notifications on your computer for our call.

● Come early Our call with last approximately [TIME_HERE] with time for a bit of prep ahead of the interview and to wrap things up at the end.

● Here are the topics that I’d like to cover during our interview: ○ Point 1 ○ Point 2 ○ Point 3

If you have any questions or need anything ahead of our interview please let me know here via email. Thanks so much and looking forward to talking.

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