(1) Thoughts on scheduling podcast interviews:
Whether you're making an interviewer-based show or a narrative-style show, recording interviews is a major component.
A few tips & principles I've learned along the way:
Whether you're making an interviewer-based show or a narrative-style show, recording interviews is a major component.
A few tips & principles I've learned along the way:
(2) Find out if the guest is interested first.
People are busy and typically have obligations more important than being on your podcast. Ask them if they are interested in being on your cast before sending all of the details. Provide some context- what’s in it for them?
People are busy and typically have obligations more important than being on your podcast. Ask them if they are interested in being on your cast before sending all of the details. Provide some context- what’s in it for them?
(3) Be patient.
Again, people are busy. I first reached out to the guest I interviewed today in May 2019; our conversation started almost a year ago! 8 emails and one personal encounter later, he finally scheduled a time to be on.
Again, people are busy. I first reached out to the guest I interviewed today in May 2019; our conversation started almost a year ago! 8 emails and one personal encounter later, he finally scheduled a time to be on.
(4) Be understanding.
Things come up. Today 2 of my 4 interviews canceled. One person was stuck at the airport and the other person had a long day at work and needed a break.
Both rescheduled and I got 2 extra hours back to work on other things.
Things come up. Today 2 of my 4 interviews canceled. One person was stuck at the airport and the other person had a long day at work and needed a break.
Both rescheduled and I got 2 extra hours back to work on other things.
(5) Do Your Homework.
Research the people you want on. Know what the focus or goal of the interview is beforehand. Pre-interview your guest if possible. Especially when it comes to narrative podcasts, not everyone is a good fit. Pre-interviews help determine this quickly.
Research the people you want on. Know what the focus or goal of the interview is beforehand. Pre-interview your guest if possible. Especially when it comes to narrative podcasts, not everyone is a good fit. Pre-interviews help determine this quickly.
(6) Practice Good Communication.
Make sure to answer all basic questions like when is the interview, how long will it be, & what to expect. Remind the guest about the interview before and let them know once it’s live after.
Make sure to answer all basic questions like when is the interview, how long will it be, & what to expect. Remind the guest about the interview before and let them know once it’s live after.
(7) Be Professional.
Most of the time, you are a temporary guest in your interviewee’s world. Occasionally, relationships might develop post-interview but don’t expect it.
Most of the time, you are a temporary guest in your interviewee’s world. Occasionally, relationships might develop post-interview but don’t expect it.
(8) Respect your Guest’s Time.
Start on time and end early. Before you start, clarify the stop time. Sometimes guests have meetings immediately after your interview. IF you want to go over, ask if that is ok for your guest.
Start on time and end early. Before you start, clarify the stop time. Sometimes guests have meetings immediately after your interview. IF you want to go over, ask if that is ok for your guest.
