How to Be the Best Podcast Guest
One of my favorite things to do is invite someone to be a guest on my podcast. But, at this point, I’m overextended. I’ve got a queue a mile long. In that vein, I thought it might be helpful if I outlined what makes the best podcasts guest so you can self-select out if this isn’t for you.
- Get a podcast microphone. Your audio quality matters and nobody will listen to your big ideas if you’re speaking through a laptop microphone. At best, you can get a mic for $85 at Target. At worst, you can use your mobile phone earbuds with a wire and microphone attached. There’s so much noise in the marketplace. Nobody wants to listen to your ideas and scratchy background sounds.
- Get wired. Wifi and mobile phones are the enemies of podcasting. Professionals take their role as a podcast guest seriously. Get an ethernet connection in your house or use a landline to call into a show. This is a worthwhile investment if you’re a professional communicator.
- Don’t multitask. Early in my podcasting career, I had to ask my producer to edit out the sound of my guest tapping on her keyboard while talking to me. I suspect she was answering email. Besides the clicking, she was saying a lot of UHS and UHMS. Podcast hosts know when you’re drifting. Do one thing and do it well — focus on our show or you won’t make the cut.
Finally, be an advocate and ally.
The best podcast guest who ever appeared on my show asked me proactively how he could help support my show before it ever aired. He said, “I’m a listener and a fan. How can I help you grow your audience?”
At that moment, I felt like my guest was a partner. Who doesn’t love that? The average podcast gets about 137 downloads. Want to be the best guest? Help break that number and expand your host’s audience.
So, I’m sorry if you want to be a guest on my show and I haven’t answered. I’m also sorry if you’ve recorded an episode and it hasn’t aired. You are great, it’s totally me. But for future guests — let’s all up our game together. Learning, growing and communicating big ideas about fixing work and creating better leaders is what this is all about!