A good interview starts well before the recording button. The Podcasting Interviews guides follow the whole process from finding a guest to saying thank you.
They suit hosts of interview shows, hosts who book an occasional guest and people who want to appear on other podcasts.
Finding and inviting guests
Finding guests and writing the invitation are the first two steps.
Preparing the conversation
Questions, a pre-interview call and guest preparation lead to a smoother take.
Running and following up
Interviewing skills and follow up finish the job. Getting booked as a guest covers the other side of the table.
Interviews at a glance
| Guide | Best for |
|---|---|
| Find Guests | Building a guest list |
| Interview Questions | Shaping the conversation |
| Interviewing Skills | Better listening |
| Get Booked as a Guest | Reaching new audiences |
Interview workflow
- Choose the guest
- Send the invitation
- Hold a short pre-interview call
- Record the conversation
- Share the episode and follow up
Good to know
- Guests appreciate clear instructions
- Questions work best as prompts, not scripts
- Silence can give better answers
- A release form protects both sides
Questions about interviews
How do I find guests with no audience?
Start with people in the network and smaller experts. Finding guests lists more places to look.
Should I send questions in advance?
Topics help, and exact questions are optional. Guest preparation explains what to share.
Do guests need to sign anything?
Many shows use a release. Release forms explained covers the basics.