With the rise in popularity of podcasts, podcast hosts are being bombarded with interview requests. You can’t just be a good guest, you need to be GREAT! So how can you as a guest expert stand out from the crowd and attract great interviews? I am going to give you 4 ways you can be a GREAT guest expert.
1 – Be Beautiful – I’m not talking about looking like Angelina Jolie! I’m talking about having beautiful media that clearly represents your brand and your expertise. This includes an attractive headshot, website, one sheet, and social media presence. Having gorgeous images and a clearly articulated message of who you are and what you have to offer will instantly help establish your credibility with a host.
2 – Be Knowledgeable – The last thing a podcast host wants is a guest who knows nothing about their show, so do your research and really get to know a show before you approach them with an interview request. Generic requests mass emailed to podcast hosts just DO NOT WORK. You need to personalize your interview request and let them know exactly what content you can deliver and why it is valuable to their audience.
You also need to be knowledgeable about your area of expertise! Don’t get stuck in a rut of the same stories, the same tips, the same old same old. Make sure the information you have to share is fresh and engaging. Before you go into an interview think to yourself, “What little piece of content can I bring to the show that will completely blow them away?”
3 – Be Generous – Podcasting is a very mutually beneficial medium for both the host and the guest, but when you focus on what you can GIVE rather than what you can GET, you are a much more attractive guest. What amazing free gift can you give the audience to show your generosity?
How flexible can you be with your time to accommodate the show’s recording schedule? Try blocking out some time after the scheduled interview in case things go longer than expected. If you really hit if off with the host, you may want some time to just talk with each other afterwards. You never know what connections you can make with the host and their network if you are generous with your time.
4 – Be Authentic – You’ll hear me talk a lot about being yourself and bringing authenticity to your interviews, and this is truly one of the most attractive things to podcast hosts. When you have a guest who is confident enough in themselves to be real and answer those unscripted questions, you are able to produce the most amazing interviews. And that’s what hosts want. Amazing interviews.
Ready to go be GREAT? At Interview Connections, we can help you be a great guest expert and guarantee you bookings on fantastic shows.
