The Ultimate Guide to Podcast Guest Interviews: Boost Your Audience and Become an Authority
Podcasting is a powerful way to connect with your audience, build your brand, and establish yourself as a thought leader. But to truly stand out in a crowded market, mastering the art of the guest interview is key. Done right, guests bring fresh perspectives, expand your reach, and boost your show's credibility.
In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know to attract the perfect guests, conduct engaging interviews, and maximize the impact of every guest appearance.
Part 1: Finding Guests That Will Grow Your Podcast
It's Not Just About Followers: While a big following helps, focus on guests who bring a NEW audience – people who are similar to yours in interests, but not an exact replica. This expands your reach the most effectively.
Think Like a Matchmaker: Are your ideal listeners business owners? Look for guests who advise entrepreneurs. Do you talk about wellness? Seek experts in various wellness fields. There needs to be some overlap!
Seek Out Industry Influencers: Don't be afraid to reach out to respected figures in your niche. Smaller influencers might be more likely to reciprocate promotion, but big names can provide a serious visibility boost.
Expertise is King: Guests should be knowledgeable and have insights that your audience craves. They should be able to go deep on a topic, not just give surface-level answers.
Part 2: Maximizing Guest Visibility (and Yours!)
Cross-Promotion is Crucial: Provide your guest with short, shareable video clips and they should do the same for you. Set expectations for sharing these on social media to tap into each other's networks.
The Power of Teasers: Build anticipation by releasing guest headshots, intriguing quotes, or short "coming soon" teasers. This creates excitement and encourages people to tune in.
Visuals Matter: Help remote guests look their best with tips on lighting and background. This elevates your podcast's professionalism. Remember, when your guest shines, so do you!
SEO Benefits: Podcast interviews are fantastic for SEO! You'll naturally incorporate relevant keywords in your conversation, plus your guest's backlinks may boost your domain authority.
Part 3: Conducting Interviews That Keep People Hooked
Preparation is Key: Research your guest beforehand. Having basic knowledge lets you dig deeper with your questions, leading to more valuable content.
Active Listening Wins: Don't simply wait for your turn to speak. Truly listen to your guest's answers. This allows you to ask insightful follow-up questions that take the conversation to the next level.
Highlight Their Brilliance: Your job is to make your guest look great! Ask about their accomplishments, projects, and allow them to share their unique perspective.
Banish the Boring: Avoid generic "Why did you get into this field?" questions. Pre-interview your guest to uncover a more compelling angle to their story.
Part 4: Calls to Action That Convert Viewers to Subscribers
Give Your Guest a Shout-Out: Promote their social media, website, book, etc. This is both good podcast etiquette and builds a mutually beneficial relationship.
Don't Forget Yourself!: Remind listeners where to find YOUR podcast, subscribe, and follow you on social media. Turn a one-time viewer into a loyal fan.
Link, Link, Link: Include all relevant links in your show notes and YouTube description! Make it easy for people to connect with your guest and discover more of your content.
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If you’d like the video with this information, click the following link:
Avoid Boring Interviews! How to Choose Guests & Keep Listeners Hooked