There are good podcast interviews, and then there are great podcast interviews. So what’s the big difference? In a word, presentation.
The way you talk to your guests, promote their appearance, and ask authentic questions can make or break your episode. The good news is, it’s fairly easy to do it right — provided you’re prepared well in advance.
This guide will show you the essential strategies required to enhance the quality of your podcast. These move beyond basic techniques and embrace more advanced approaches so you can ensure both engaging and meaningful conversations.
- How to Host Good Podcast Interviews and Ask Great Questions
1. Before the Interview
The Easiest Way to Have a Great Podcast Interview
Let’s split this into three major sections: before, during, and after the interview.
Preparation is key for a solid interview process.
We’re starting off with one of the most important points:
Pre-Show Preparation
This begins weeks or even months before your guest debuts on your podcast. First, you should study your guest’s work, past interviews, and social media presence to tailor your questions specifically to them. Be ready to dive deep into topics that resonate with the audience while remaining flexible.
Next, prepare to be blindsided (in some way). The interview process is extremely fluid, so you should aim for a mix of preparation and flexibility. For example, while having a set of questions or topics can be beneficial, interviewers should avoid being overly scripted. Interview flexibility allows podcasters to follow the natural direction of the conversation, making it more organic and engaging.
Technical Setup and Presentation
In addition to preparation, podcasters should be mindful of their technical setup and presentation. Clear audio quality, a well-organized structure, and a professional suite of recording tools can significantly enhance the listener’s experience and make your interview more enjoyable for your interviewee.
You may want to pay special attention to:
- Audio quality: Ensure clear and professional audio with a podcast microphone.
- Professional demeanor: If possible, give your guests a quality pair of headphones.
- Technical reliability: Test your podcast equipment before the interview to avoid technical glitches.
Ensuring Guest Comfort
Ensuring that guests feel comfortable and relaxed is essential for a successful interview. Pre-interview chats can set expectations and ease any nerves, ensuring guests are at ease when the recording begins.
You should also explain the interview process, technical setup, and recording length. This will help guests settle in and feel comfortable with your format before diving into the topic at hand.
2. During the Interview
As the interview process continues, be sure to keep these pointers in mind:
Asking Great Questions
You can’t ask great questions unless you know your guest inside and out. Once you’ve done your homework, do your best to:
- Avoid clichés
- Stay away from yes/no answers
- Ask questions rather than make accusations
Asking well-researched questions shows that you’ve taken the time to understand your guest’s work, background, and interests. This allows you to explore topics that are meaningful to them, which helps the guest feel valued and can result in richer, more insightful conversations.
So, how do you craft professional-sounding questions?
First, you should think about your audience’s needs. What problems or questions might they have that the guest can answer?
Next, take some time to research your guest’s previous appearances. You can look at comments, reviews, or social media interactions to identify unique themes or questions.
Finally, share at least a few interview questions with your guest(s) in advance. This will avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure your episode offers genuine value.
Creating a Natural Conversational Flow
A key aspect of successful podcast interviews is creating a natural conversational flow. Rather than adhering to a rigid Q&A format, interviews should feel like relaxed conversations.
Here are three strategies to try:
- Effective listening: You can allow your guests to speak freely and share their stories, interjecting only when necessary to guide the conversation.
- Balance: Allow for unexpected or enriching tangents. Just keep an eye on the time if necessary (or edit the story in post-production).
- Engagement: Maintain eye contact, use non-verbal cues to show interest, and encourage guests to elaborate on their points.
Building Rapport
A comfortable and relaxed guest is a chatty, helpful, and engaging one. Building the right atmosphere encourages guests to open up and share more authentically about their lives.
Being friendly and open is one of the most obvious ways to build relationships. You’re encouraged to share a bit about yourself to create a mutual understanding and rapport.
Don’t forget to approach sensitive topics carefully and respectfully, and then be ready to pivot if your guest seems uncomfortable. This skill gets easier over time, so don’t beat yourself up if not everything goes as expected.
3. After the Interview
Here are some pointers for wrapping up the interview process:
Continuous Improvement
As mentioned earlier, you need to be honest with yourself during the interview process. There’s no way to learn without making a few mistakes, so do what you can to learn from them and move on.
You may also want to ask your audience for regular feedback as you look for honest advice and suggestions. Another solution is to chat with podcast experts about how to change up your approach or get better over time.
Post-Interview Practices
What you do after the interview is just as important as what you do beforehand. Not only does this create an opportunity to build relationships, but you get your new episode to as many ears as possible.
First, you may want to consider sending a thank-you note to your guest, even a hand-written one if possible. Then, you might want to obtain better podcast editing software to ensure a smoother flow and enhance the audio if necessary.
Finally, you should promote your episode on social media and tag your guest(s) when possible. Be sure to ask your guests if they wouldn’t mind resharing — this will maximize your reach and impressions overall.
Handling Difficult Situations
It’s an axiom as old as time: if it can go wrong, it will go wrong.
Here’s how to prepare for the unexpected in advance.
- Technical issues: Have a backup plan in case of technical difficulties, such as having a spare recording device or charging cable.
- Uncooperative guests: Stay calm and professional if a guest is uncooperative. Try to steer the conversation back on track politely.
- Controversial topics: Handle controversial topics with sensitivity and respect to ensure a balanced and fair discussion.
Additional Strategies for Hosting Great Podcast Interviews
Before diving into your first podcast interview, you might want to brush up on the particulars.
These include:
Creating a Relaxed Atmosphere
A relaxed atmosphere helps to elicit more genuine responses from guests. Here are additional tips for achieving this:
- Maintain open and inviting body language to make guests feel at ease.
- Choose a quiet, comfortable setting for the interview to minimize distractions and help guests feel more at home.
- Use nods, smiles, and other non-verbal cues to encourage guests and show that you are actively listening.
Building Emotional Connection
Building an emotional connection with guests can lead to more meaningful conversations.
- Show empathy and understanding towards your guests’ experiences and perspectives.
- Share your own relevant experiences to build a connection and foster a more personal conversation.
- Use reflective listening techniques, such as paraphrasing and summarizing, to show that you are engaged and interested in what the guest is saying.
Tailoring Questions to the Guest
Tailoring your questions specifically to the guest can make the interview more relevant and engaging.
- Based on your research, ask questions that are specific to the guest’s background and experiences.
- Find unique angles and lesser-known topics to discuss, making the interview stand out.
- Be prepared with follow-up questions that can delve deeper into the guest’s responses.
The Bottom Line on Compelling Podcast Interviews
Podcast interviews could be a great opportunity for your podcast, provided you leverage them correctly. By creating a natural conversational flow, being well-prepared, and asking insightful questions, you can significantly improve the interview experience for you, your guests, and your audience.
Want more tips for recording a successful podcast? We’ve got a few resources you might want to read: