I've been on 30 podcasts or webinars in the past 6 months.
Guest speaking is really hard.
But that's a good thing.
Because it's easy to stand out.
Here's how:
Guest speaking is really hard.
But that's a good thing.
Because it's easy to stand out.
Here's how:
1/ Help the host prep.
Doesn't matter if they invited you, or you pitched yourself.
Ultimately, how you represent yourself is on you.
Suggest 2-3 topics in advance. These should represent your interests and expertise, and be in line with the show's premise.
How?
Doesn't matter if they invited you, or you pitched yourself.
Ultimately, how you represent yourself is on you.
Suggest 2-3 topics in advance. These should represent your interests and expertise, and be in line with the show's premise.
How?
2/ Listen to past episodes. Or watch past webinars.
Pick 2-3 to get a sense of style and format.
Better yet, ask the host what their fave episode was.
Ask yourself: What are you uniquely qualified to say that previous guests haven't said?
Pick 2-3 to get a sense of style and format.
Better yet, ask the host what their fave episode was.
Ask yourself: What are you uniquely qualified to say that previous guests haven't said?
3/ Email suggested topics in advance.
Consider this a soft pitch for the episode you want to see. Get the host's buy-in or ask for feedback.
If you have a story you want to tell, include it.
Consider this a soft pitch for the episode you want to see. Get the host's buy-in or ask for feedback.
If you have a story you want to tell, include it.
4/ Improve your audio/mic.
Laptop speakers and mic won't cut it. AirPods are only slightly better.
Consider:
• Over-ear headphones
• External mic (I have a Blue Yeti but even Amazon Basics has a decent mic)
Laptop speakers and mic won't cut it. AirPods are only slightly better.
Consider:
• Over-ear headphones
• External mic (I have a Blue Yeti but even Amazon Basics has a decent mic)
5/ Prep for your sound bites.
Optimize for those audiograms you see on social media.
Consider writing out the few 20-second quotes you want people to remember. Rehearse.
Work those into the interview. Or tell the host you want an assist. 😉
Optimize for those audiograms you see on social media.
Consider writing out the few 20-second quotes you want people to remember. Rehearse.
Work those into the interview. Or tell the host you want an assist. 😉
6/ Rehearse your "About me."
You'll likely be asked to tell the audience about yourself. Practice saying this in 30-60 seconds.
Be concise. Better to give less context and get follow-up questions than to ramble for minutes.
You'll likely be asked to tell the audience about yourself. Practice saying this in 30-60 seconds.
Be concise. Better to give less context and get follow-up questions than to ramble for minutes.
7/ Cue desired edits in real time.
If you're recording a podcast, don't worry if you misspeak or stumble.
Tell the host you need to start that sentence over, take a breath, and try again.
That way, it'll be obvious to them what needs editing.
If you're recording a podcast, don't worry if you misspeak or stumble.
Tell the host you need to start that sentence over, take a breath, and try again.
That way, it'll be obvious to them what needs editing.
8/ Emote.
Smile when you tell a funny story. Sound amazed during a reveal.
Vary the cadence of your speech. Talk quickly through exposition, and slow down when you're explaining steps of a process.
Smile when you tell a funny story. Sound amazed during a reveal.
Vary the cadence of your speech. Talk quickly through exposition, and slow down when you're explaining steps of a process.
9/ Use signposts to keep people engaged.
Give verbal cues when you introduce a new idea or signal progress in a longer statement.
Examples:
• As a sidenote...
• What do I mean by X? I mean...
• I suggest 4 steps. The first one...
Give verbal cues when you introduce a new idea or signal progress in a longer statement.
Examples:
• As a sidenote...
• What do I mean by X? I mean...
• I suggest 4 steps. The first one...
10/ Promote yourself.
You're there to plug something, right?
Have a pithy story or succinct statement about the product you're promoting.
Be prepared to quickly and clearly say where listeners can find you online.
You're there to plug something, right?
Have a pithy story or succinct statement about the product you're promoting.
Be prepared to quickly and clearly say where listeners can find you online.
11/ Help with show notes.
Because it's nice.
If you referenced an obscure stat or article, look it up and send a link in your post-recording thank you email.
Because it's nice.
If you referenced an obscure stat or article, look it up and send a link in your post-recording thank you email.
12/ Create a briefing doc for future use.
As you do more interviews, consider writing a doc to help future hosts prepare. It can include:
• Your headshot & bio
• 3 of your fave interviews
• 2 examples of your recent work
As you do more interviews, consider writing a doc to help future hosts prepare. It can include:
• Your headshot & bio
• 3 of your fave interviews
• 2 examples of your recent work
Now... that's a lot of advice. 😅
Try adding just a few of those tactics to your current prep.
Because even a little bit of extra effort will make you better than average.
Try adding just a few of those tactics to your current prep.
Because even a little bit of extra effort will make you better than average.
If you liked this...
Follow me and check out past threads: @amandanat
I write about marketing and content, with occasional detours into harmless chaos.
Follow me and check out past threads: @amandanat
I write about marketing and content, with occasional detours into harmless chaos.
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