You can’t host a successful interview without being clear about how you want the interview to run. And look, I’m not saying you have to run the same kind of show or host the same types of adequately as everyone else out there.
But when you’re clear about the types of questions you’re going to ask, the cadence and length of the show, and perhaps one or two questions that you’ll ask every guest, it helps you be more prepared and also gives your listeners an easier time binging because they’ll know what to expect.
Decide what kind of show you want to have, make sure you’re consistent, and if you do want to make changes, that’s okay. Just make sure you’re communicating them with your guests and your audience.
Even if you think you know your guest really well, sending over a pre-show form for your guests to fill out is helpful for everyone. It allows your guest to get a feel for the types of questions you like to ask, and it helps you gather the information that directly relates to your show, as opposed to public information you can find on the web or through casual conversations.
These forms don’t need to be long but could include information and questions like:
And so on. You can make these forms your own, but be sure to make them simple enough for your guest to fill out, so you’re not overstepping your bounds.
In addition to requiring the pre-show form, do some research of your own. Google is your friend here. If it’s a professional podcast, LinkedIn can also provide a lot of interesting work information. But don’t overlook old blog posts, other podcast interviews, social media updates, and personal news that you can connect upon (new babies, puppies, or houses are common!).
Many podcast guests are looking to get their message out there because they’ve released something new, like a book. And especially in the business world, having penned your very own book boosts your credibility in the industry, which is why so many people are turning to book-writing these days.