Interview Connections Booking Agent and Team Lead, Riley, spoke with one of his clients, Scott Schober, to talk all about his podcast interview strategy!

Schober is the President and CEO of Berkeley Varitronics Systems – a New Jersey-based provider of advanced, world-class wireless test and security solutions. He is also the author of three best-selling security books: Hacked Again, Cybersecurity is Everybody’s Business and Senior Cyber.

Schober is a leading expert for live security events, media appearances, and commentary on ransomware, wireless threats, drone surveillance and hacking, cybersecurity for consumers and small businesses. He is often seen on ABC News, Bloomberg TV, Al Jazeera America, CBS This Morning News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more networks. 

Suffice it to say, he has appeared in his fair share of interviews and knows how to effectively deliver his message. So how does he do it?

Scott Schober’s Engineering Plan For Success

Embrace the butterflies 

It’s never good to be too comfortable. 

Once you feel like you’re in your comfort zone, you should try to get out of it. It’s great to be confident, but you still want to have some butterflies. Sometimes, you won’t know what to say if you’re too confident. 

Educate yourself and prepare

Before any media appearance or podcast interview, always read a few articles about the topic you want to discuss. It is essential in fast-chaging industries, such as technology, to share the latest and most accurate information. Prepare for an interview 24 hours in advance and keep it topical. Education is key to being the best expert you can be.

Once you have found the relevant information, digest it and meditate on it. 

Understand the value you are bringing to the listener. 

What about your interview makes you any different than any other talking head? A great trick is to make it a goal to have three stats which you can remember off the top of your head. They will really bring home the point that you’re making, and it will be tailored to the value you want to bring to the audience.

Be true to yourself and be authentic

It’s so important to recognize value and share something, impart some knowledge, and teach something. Make it personal and vulnerable. Authenticity is the most important asset you have in your arsenal. People can smell inauthentic chatter a mile away. Be who you are, bring value, and find your best way to deliver both at the same time. This the most important tactic which will make your interviews more effective, and it will help grow your brand!

PRO TIPS:

• Before you make your appearance, actually listen to the person who is going to interview you ahead of time. Schober always listens to the show he is appearing on to get a sense of the hosts style, intonation, and cadence. The more you understand the host’s rhythm,  the more natural the interview. 
•  It may seem obvious, but Scott always thanks to the person who interviewed him! Write a little thank you note, and point out something specific and positive about the experience.

How To Define Your Own Interviewing Success 

Test Test Test

Schober suggests that you ensure you have decent quality equipment before your podcast interview. 

Don’t show up with a pair of janky earbuds which make you sound like you are speaking from Mars. In that vein, about half of the podcasts you will do are video, so test and refine your video equipment/ lighting in advance. Be sure to show up camera ready. 

If you want a listener, or the interviewer, to take you seriously – do your best to present yourself in a manner befitting the level of your expertise. Then test your equipment at least a half hour before your appearance to guarantee you have enough time to fix any issues. 

If you fumble on the technical side, you may get flustered and lose your focus. 

To help prevent any mishaps, keep a physical checklist of everything you need for the interview. This helps to frame things and makes you a better guest. 

Improvisation is more important than you think

Despite the need to study, and be prepared, improvisation is actually a critical facet of podcast interview. To be a great podcast guest, you have to know your audience and have the flexibility to pivot if necessary. Put yourself in their shoes! 

The podcast host is giving you an opportunity to speak and share your expertise. They’re giving you the power of the mic, so if you don’t know the answer to a question, don’t try to fake it. That breaks down your credibility and hurts the podcast. Stay true to yourself!

Interviews beget more interviews

A fascinating effect that Scott Schober has noticed is the more podcasts you do, the more opportunities you have. 

As he’s been doing dozens of podcast interviews, Scott has now received opportunities for radio, speaking, conferences, TV, and more. Scott really believes in the service mindset of a podcast guest. 

For Scott, the more you do for other people, the more it comes back indirectly. Whatever you give away will come back to you twofold. 

Put yourself out there. You don’t know what’s going to happen!

You can find Scott on his website, scottschober.com, and his podcast, What Keeps You Up at Night!

If you’re ready to scale your business with visibility and strategy, apply for a consult call with Interview Connections. We’ll work with you to achieve your goals!