The Art of Interviewing on Podcasts

Gaurav Yadav
May 22, 2023
5 MIN READ

Table of Content

I. Introduction

The importance of interviewing on podcasts

II. Preparation

Researching the guest

Preparing a list of questions

Creating a comfortable environment

III. Questioning

Asking open-ended questions

Active listening

Using follow-up questions to expand on the guest's answers.

IV. Follow-up

Thanking the guest

Promoting the podcast to the guest's followers

Summarizing the interview and highlighting key takeaways

V. The psychology of interviewing

Building rapport and trust with the guest

Using body language and vocal cues to connect with the guest.

VI. Examples of successful podcast interviews

Analyzing what made these interviews effective.

Extracting lessons and insights for future interviews

VII. FAQ's

VIII. Conclusion

Recap of the key points

Podcast guest and Interviewer chatting

Podcasts are becoming increasingly fashionable for spreading knowledge, tales, and concepts. A successful podcast requires the ability to lead gripping and insightful discussions with visitors. Even if you're an experienced podcaster or just starting out, grasping the skill of interviewing can make your shows more captivating and edifying.

Devising, Questioning, and follow-up are a few of the many aspects of leading podcast interviews that will be discussed in this article. We'll also show you examples of successful podcast interviews and explain how interviews work from a psychological point of view.

Once you've read this, you'll be better able to lead interesting conversations that bring in new people.

Preparation

There is no substitute for thorough preparation before a podcast interview. Use these pointers to ace your next podcast interview:

Finding out more about the guest

It's crucial to learn as much as possible about the interviewee's background and interests before the session begins. This might help you think of interesting conversation starters in advance. Find out more about the visitor's profession and hobbies by following them on social media.

Preparing a list of questions

After reading up on the guest, you might start thinking of questions you'd like to ask them. Come up with some open-ended questions to get the guest talking about themselves and what they know. Don't ask questions that can be answered with a simple yes or no; they will elicit answers that don't add any depth to the conversation.

Making the place Cosier

Preparing a relaxing space for the interviewee is also crucial. Before beginning the interview, make sure the visitor is at ease and has everything they'll need (such as water or a microphone).

Podcasting mic

Questioning

In order to have a successful podcast interview, it is crucial to ask the proper questions. Some suggestions for how to frame questions during the interview:

Asking open-ended questions

Questions that can be answered with a single word are not considered open-ended. They try to get the visitor to elaborate on their stories and observations. To illustrate the use of open-ended inquiries, consider the following: "Can you tell us about your background?" and "How do you feel about the situation of the market at the moment?”

Emphasis on the listener

One of the most important parts of asking questions in a podcast interview is really listening to the response. Hear what the guest has to say and respond suitably. Ask the guest another question to get more information out of them if their response is extremely intriguing.

Using follow-up questions to expand on the guest's Answers

The use of follow-up questions can help you learn more about your guest and have a more interesting conversation. If the speaker cites a current project they are working on, you could inquire further about it and how they got involved in the project.

A man recording a podcast

Follow-up

It is vital to contact the interviewee again after the podcast has been released to express gratitude and spread the word. Here are a few pointers for following up:

Thanking the guest

One approach to demonstrate your gratitude for a guest's visit is to send them a handwritten note or an electronic note of thanks. If you'd want to contribute something tangible (like a book relating to their work), that would be appreciated as well.

Promoting the podcast to the guest's followers

Another wonderful strategy for expanding your podcast's listenership is to ask your guests to promote it within their own fan base. If you want your podcast guest to promote it, you can either ask them to do so or supply them with a social media post they may use.

Summarizing the interview and highlighting key takeaways

Giving your audience a concise overview of the interview by summarising and highlighting key insights is an excellent strategy. It might be helpful to write a blog post or social media update that summarizes the main points of the conversation and includes links to the podcast and any useful resources mentioned in it.

A girl summarizing podcast

The psychology of interviewing

While creating a podcast, the psychology of interviewing is often disregarded. Here's how to establish a friendly and trustworthy relationship with your Guest:

Building rapport and trust with the guest

Making the guest feel at home is step one in establishing a bond. For an interview to go well, you need to build a strong relationship of trust with the person being interviewed. First, extend a friendly hello and ask about the guest's day or recent activities, to put them at ease and break the ice, which will eventually create a more relaxed atmosphere.

Using body language and vocal cues to connect with the guest

One way to establish rapport with a guest is to use nonverbal indicators in your speech and body language. Little actions, like nodding your head and maintaining eye contact, may convey your interest in what your visitor is saying. In a similar vein, an approachable and kind tone of voice can put the interviewee at ease.

Examples of successful podcast interviews

Taking the time to dissect great podcast interviews may teach you valuable lessons that you can use to your own podcasting endeavours. Some great podcast interviews include the following:

Example 1: "How I Built This" with Guy Raz

The podcast "How I Created This" is quite well-known for its in-depth interviews with successful businesspeople. The presenter, Guy Raz, is well acclaimed for his ability to conduct fascinating and thought-provoking conversations with his guests. During each episode, he probes his special guests for details on how they established their businesses and how they overcame obstacles. Raz is able to make a fascinating and enlightening podcast because he asks his guests open-ended questions and pays close attention to their answers.

Example 2: “PowerfulJRE” by Joe Rogan

Rogan's ability to make his interviewees feel at ease is one of his greatest abilities. He takes a chill, nonjudgmental attitude that makes people feel safe enough to communicate freely. This opens the door for in-depth conversations, which might result in surprising findings. His willingness to probe uncomfortable areas is another distinguishing feature of his interview approach. He is not hesitant to dispute or question his guests, but he does so with courtesy and an open mind. His strategy has led to some of the most interesting and thought-provoking podcast arguments ever. The research on his guests is legendary, and it shows in the quality of his questions. He asks thoughtful questions that let listeners learn more about his guests by learning about their lives, passions, and worldviews.

Example 2: "Armchair Expert" with Dax Shepard

Dax Shepard is the host of the podcast "Armchair Expert." The interviews conducted by Shepard are famous for their refreshing candour and witty undercurrents. Interviewees feel more at ease and candid when he relates personal anecdotes and observations from his own life. Shepard's visitors feel a stronger connection to him and have more interesting talks because of his use of comedy and storytelling.

FAQs:

Q: How do I prepare for an interview on my podcast?

A: A list of open-ended questions should be prepared after extensive research about your visitor. Plan B should be in place just in case.

Q: How do I avoid asking closed-ended questions?

A: Instead of using simple yes/no questions, use open-ended inquiries that compel additional information from your visitor.

Q: What should I do if I don't understand something my guest is saying?

A: Ask for clarification. Don't be afraid to ask your guest to explain things in more detail.

Conclusion

A great interviewer develops over time through practice, commitment, and time. You may have intriguing talks that keep your listeners interested by adequately preparing, asking open-ended questions, listening attentively, and following up on noteworthy ideas. Keep in mind to be genuine, establish a connection with your guests, and relish the opportunity to gain knowledge from others. You'll be well on your way to mastering the art of interviewing with these tricks and strategies. You'll be well on your way to mastering the art of conducting podcast interviews with the help of these tricks and strategies. Keep in mind that practice makes perfect. Don't be scared to try out several strategies to see which one suits you and your guests the best. As you go along, you'll refine your interviewing technique and attract a committed audience that listens through every time you publish a new episode.

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Gaurav Yadav
Gaurav is the SEO/video Editor/Marketing Consultant at Adori Labs. He is most interested in Web3, Blockchain, Podcast and AI startups.
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