Being a guest on a podcast is an important way to market yourself. As Warren Laine-Naida would say, being a podcast guest is great off-page SEO. You’re finally invited to be a guest. Easy right? Wait. Let’s talk about this a little bit.
To get the best response to the podcast — and to be invited again — it’s important you’re a good guest. So, I bet you’re wondering how you can do it well? Is it easy to be a good podcast guest? You’d think it would be. But it isn’tI
Aside from being on a few podcasts and interviews, I was the co-host of The Smart Marketing Show (WPblab) from 2015-2021. Believe me, you can be a bad guest on a podcast. I’ve also started my own series of interviews called “.”
It’s important for podcast guests to get the tech right, be prepared, show up on time, not deliver a monologue, and actually listen to the podcast.
A Good Podcast Guest Gets the Tech Right
WPwatercooler, for example, has guest guidelines (which you can read here). If the podcast host or producer gives you guidelines, follow them.
Suffice it to say that you should have the following:
- Headphones. Feedback or echoing back will interfere with the conversation.
- A microphone of some sort even if it is in your headphones.
- Light. Some kind of light should be shining on you. Natural light is best. Turn off your celing fan.
- Fast WiFi or a hard connection. (Otherwise, you cut out and sound like an overdubbed Kung Fu movie from the 1970’s. In case you’re wondering, that’s not good.)
- No background noise. This means not doing a podcast in a crowded co-working space, coffee shop, or at a four-year-old’s birthday party.
A Good Podcast Guest is a Prepared Guest
Every host has their own style. Some of them like to ask specific questions and others riff. You may even receive critical questions ahead of time. Read through them the day or week before. Be a prepared guest. Unprepared guests aren’t invited back. And the podcasting world is very small. Hosts talk to each other about guests. So, if you’re not a good guest, you may hurt your reputation.
A Good Podcast Guest Listens to the Podcast
Listen to at least one episode of the podcast you’ll be on. Two may be better. You want to understand how you can fit into their podcast, not the other way around. Being a good guest means serving someone else’s audience. So, it’s not about you. If that bothers you, start your own podcast. And, don’t forget to promote your episode — before — and long after it’s been recorded. Even better; write a recap and include a link to the podcast. As an example, Scott Rogerson of UpContent did this when he was on my show.
A Good Podcast Guest Is Concise
It’s tempting to deliver a monologue but, remember it’s not your show. It’s also not about you. Allow the hosts to ask their questions. Give concise answers — soundbites. It’s good to elaborate but be mindful. Allow the hosts to ask follow-up questions. Try to stay on track. This is even more important if the podcast is edited. Take breaths. You don’t have to say everything that comes to your mind. I promise.
A Good Podcast Shows Up Early
Be on time. And when I say on time, I mean early. We all have bad days. All of us. But schedules are crazy for everyone. Do your best to plan for buffer time. Live podcasts may start at 9:00 AM for example but the pre-show is at 8:45 AM.
Want More Podcasting and Speaking Tips?
I’ve built a playlist on YouTube. This includes tips for podcasts that include video as well as in-person tips.