How to be a good podcast guest

Laura Vanderkam (0:03)

Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeartRadio.

Good morning. This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast. Today's tip is about how to be a good podcast guest. A little smart prep beforehand can help you communicate your message in a way that is satisfying for you and your listeners too.

Over the years, I have interviewed hundreds of guests on Before Breakfast and my other podcast, Best of Both Worlds. I have also been a podcast guest myself, hundreds of times. There are enough podcasts out there that I'm guessing at least some folks listening to this will probably be asked to be on a show at some point. Or maybe you have something you would like to promote to the world, and so you will be asking people to have you on their shows.

From all the conversations I have been part of, I know that the best podcast interviews sound like a conversation between friends. But that doesn't mean you simply show up, as you would for a chat with a friend. You and your friend probably have years of history together. You know all about your friend. You know what matters to him and what he's worried about and what he likes. That is why you have a good conversation. Now, obviously, you are not going to get to know any host or guest as well as a real friend. But being prepared can help you come across as a focused and articulate friend. The first strategy is to listen to the podcast that you're going to be on. A lot of podcasters, including me, have a handful of questions that they ask all their guests. I share these with my guests beforehand so they can prepare, but not everyone does. Write down those questions that you hear in every or even most episodes and think about how you will respond. In addition, get a feel for the style of the podcast. How formal is it? Is it fast-paced? Does the host ask a lot of follow-up questions? Or should you respond to each question in a complete way, assuming that once you have responded, the host is going to move on? You can ask the host if there are particular episodes they would recommend you listen to in preparation. They will probably point you to conversations that will feel especially relevant for you. Also ask the host whether there's anything they'd recommend you do to prepare. At this point, I am pretty sure people will ask me similar questions about my work and my life. But if you don't know exactly the angle the host will choose, you can always ask. Alongside learning about the show, you also want to think about your message and what you're going to bring to the listeners. What would be a really good outcome of appearing on the show?

The host will almost certainly ask you to introduce yourself to your listeners. So, be prepared to tell people about yourself succinctly, in a way that fits with your message. Emphasize the parts of your biography that are relevant to the listeners and to what you're trying to get across. If I am on a parenting podcast to talk about morning routines, for instance, I will give more details about the ages of my kids, than if I'm on a podcast aimed at people who are trying to be productive during the workday.

Most importantly, you want to think about the main point or inset you want to convey. Life is busy. People won't remember much. So what do you want people to remember and talk about with their friends? Be ready to sum this up in about two sentences. You will likely get to elaborate on this topic, but you should be able to give the short version, too.

Depending on the nature of your work, you might want to prepare a clear call to action. For example, maybe you want people to join a book club, or take short exercise breaks during the day, or track their time to see where the time goes. Finally, let people know how they can learn more about your work and stay in touch. Lead with your primary digital footprint, like a particular social media platform or your website. Also include whatever is newest or most important, like the title of a book you've just published or maybe a TED talk you just gave. So I might say you can find my work at lauravanderkam.com, and I hope you'll check out my latest book, Big Time.

A podcast conversation isn't a job interview. Unless you are a politician or a business leader who has agreed to go on a show known for being more combative with their guests, the truth is that everybody wants this podcast episode to go well. So assume it will go well, and you will have a great conversation. But it does help to think a few things through and practice a few answers to what you know you will be asked. I would love to hear any recommendations you would add to this list. What stands out in interviews that you have heard? You can reach me at lauravandercam.com.