Thread by @onejasonknight

So you've been invited to be interviewed on a podcast? Hurray! Podcasts are a great way to get your message out there. Whether you're an old hand or a total newbie, there are things you can do to increase the odds that it goes wonderfully (🧵):

#PodNation #podernfamily

First off, we have to call out that audio quality isn't as important as many people think. I've heard fabulous podcasts with great guests that sound like they were recorded with two paper cups. But if you want to sound your best, consider...

Headphones: Make sure you wear some! This prevents audio bounce back and removes the need for "echo cancellation" to be turned on (that's the thing that makes your Zoom calls sound scrappy). Anything will do! Bluetooth, wired, in ear, whatever. Wear headphones / earphones

Microphone: If you're waring headphones, you're halfway there. You laptop mic is OK ish but a headset would be better. You can buy a cheap (£/$30) USB condenser mic if you're going to be doing a few of these things.

AVOID BLUETOOTH MICS at all costs. They are universally bad

The room: Obviously not everyone has a fully treated, audio secure room. That's OK! My top tip is to speak pretty close to the mic, and keep the recording volume low. This will bring out the richness in your voice, and reduce echoes, but consider investing in a pop shield

Prep: It's 100% fine to ask for questions to be sent across beforehand. Don't script your answers (unless you really need to, in which case practice sounding like you're not reading them out) and there is always room for follow ups, but anyone should be happy to provide questions

On the day: Relax! Your host wants you to succeed just as much as you do. Have a warm up chat with the host and check that your equipment is working. Make sure you're recording through what you think you are (check settings to make sure you've not defaulted to a crappy mic)

When recording: If you make a mistake / flub a line, or if the host asks a question you aren't comfortable with, call it out verbally and start that bit again. Much easier to edit out. Don't obsess over uhms and ahhs. Be natural

Afterwards: It's fine to ask for a preview of the edit before it goes out. Maybe not everyone will do this, but call it out sooner rather than later if you want it. Motivations for this might be to check the edit, or just make sure you're happy with your answers

Listening to the edit: Unless you're really experienced, You. Will. Hate. Your. Voice. Accept that - there's nothing you can do about it and no one else will be judging your voice the same way you do. Try to get past that. If you do lots of podcasts you'll get used to it

If it all goes wrong: If all else fails, you can always request a rerun, depending on the schedule of the host. If it's a car crash, you can always request it doesn't go out, but remember that you judge yourself 1000% more harshly than other people

More than anything, just try to have fun. Being interviewed on a podcast is fairly low stakes (plenty of small podcasts around) and you can practice, find your voice, and get better & better. It's fun!