Tag: Start a podcast

How To Prepare Your Podcast Guest

Podcasters make sure you have prepared your guest for their interview.

Life happens, people get nervous, we as hosts can make the process smooth for our guest. This post will tell you how to make the interview process easy for your guest.

There’s a lot of information and downloads on how to be a great podcast guest . This post is about how to help put guests at ease and make sure they are ready to be on our show.

Step 1. Create an Email Template

Welcome your guest to the podcast and thank them for their time.

Summarise briefly what the show is about.

Personalise each email with the name of the guest(s) and add a few relevant sentences about why you think they would be a great guest.

Tell them what platform you’ll be using Skype, Squadcast, ZenCaster or Zoom.

Don’t forget to add the date, time and time zone.

Step 2. Date & Time (Time zone)

Schedule another email reminder – I use 10to8 which does this automatically.

Remind them what the date of the interview will be

Tell them at what time the interview will take place.

I want to add to this, tell them where you are based.

Do not assume guests know which cities are on Eastern time in the U.S, clocks going back in the UK or where you are in Australia. Tell them!

Podcast Maven

You can use a tool like time and date to ensure you are both on the same page.

Step 3 . Remind them that they MUST wear headphones!

Step 4 Connect A Little Early

In the first email ask them to connect 5 – 10 mins before the start of the interview.
This will give you time to explain the process to your guest, answer any questions and also catch any last minute tech issues.

This 5 minutes can make all the difference to putting your guest at ease and getting the best from your guest.

What do you do to prepare your guests? What tools do you use? Tell me below

Part 2: The 5 Things You Need To Start Your Podcast

The 5 things you need to start your podcast

Headphones

Please do not record without wearing a pair of headphones.

Always wear headphones when you record your podcast.

Yes, it’s important for sound quality, feedback is a bugger to deal with in post-production. That’s it.

 

 

Before you say it, yes there is a way to do stuff on your phone or iPad but I’m talking about the easiest way and the quickest way for you to feel comfortable and learn.

Editing software you can use on a Mac or PC

So whether you have a PC or Mac. Connect your gear. Make sure your computer is picking up your microphone. You might need to check your settings. Next is DAWS.

 

 

 

You will need to cut out odd noises, false starts and “umms” and “uuhhhs”. This is what your editing software is for. Aka DAWS here are a few of the options:

Audacity

Reaper

Adobe Audition

Ableton

GarageBand

Okay, most of these can be put on a Mac or PC. Don’t let the acronym scare you off (techy speak actually irritates me!!) I always recommend Audacity as a good place to start. It’s a solid platform that you can grow with as your skills get better and you gain confidence.  I will say I am not a fan of Garageband personally, but if that’s what you have and you are comfortable with it. Go for it!!!

 

Do you have any questions? Are you stuck somewhere between idea and execution? Book a discovery call, I’d love to help you move forward.