How to be a great Podcast Guest

Introduction

If you're reading our blog, you're likely already investing in your personal brand on LinkedIn, or curious to built it more. One powerful way to amplify your reach is by appearing as a guest on relevant podcasts in your industry.

If you've recently secured a podcast interview, congrats! But to truly maximize the impact of this opportunity, you'll need to go the extra mile in your preparation and performance.

This guide will break down the key strategies that separate average podcast guests from those who deliver unforgettable interviews that drive real results for their businesses.

By following these actionable tips, you'll be able to:

• Showcase your expertise in an engaging way
• Build deeper relationships with listeners
• Create content assets you can repurpose
• Elevate your overall brand authority

Whether you're a seasoned pro or preparing for your first interview, this guide will equip you with a proven framework for making the most of every appearance.

You've already taken the first step by leveraging LinkedIn to land these opportunities. Now, let's dive into the tactics that will enable you to capitalize on them and achieve your goals.

Part 1: The Qualities of Exceptional Podcast Guests

If you think about the last few podcasts you listened to, you'll probably realize the most memorable podcast interviews all share a few core characteristics:

• Energy and Enthusiasm. Successful guests bring an upbeat, energetic presence that captivates listeners. They use vocal inflections, clear enunciation, and even physical gestures to convey excitement and avoid sounding monotone or disengaged.
• Expertise. Top-tier guests come prepared to showcase their deep knowledge and unique insights. They offer specific, actionable advice rather than vague generalities. Their expertise shines through in their ability to speak confidently and substantively on their topics.
• Engaging Storytelling. The best interviews feature guests who are skilled storytellers. They illustrate their points with personal anecdotes, case studies, and concrete examples that bring their ideas to life. They paint vivid pictures that stick in listeners' minds.
• First impression. While the content is king, production value still matters. Exceptional guests understand the importance of crisp audio and video quality. They invest in basic equipment to ensure a pleasant listening experience that enhances their message.

Part 2: Strategic Preparation for Maximum Impact

Embodying the qualities of a standout guest requires strategic preparation before ever stepping up to the microphone. Here's a step-by-step process to ensure you make the most of every interview:

• Research the Show and Audience. Ahead of your appearance, gather intel on the podcast's target listener and what they respond to. Ask the host about their audience demographics, popular past episodes, and the topics they plan to cover with you. Listen to a few recordings to get a feel for the show's style and flow.
• Develop Your Talking Points. Based on the topics provided, create an outline of the key points and supporting stories you want to cover. Aim for bullet points rather than word-for-word scripts to keep your delivery conversational. Include specific examples and anecdotes to reinforce your insights.

• Craft a clear Call-to-Action. When the host inevitably asks where people can find you, be ready with a strategic call-to-action. Instead of just mentioning your website, maybe offer a custom lead magnet or discount code exclusive to that show's listeners. Make your ask as specific and compelling as possible - so that people know what to do.
• Upgrade Your Tech. Don't let poor production value undermine an otherwise great interview. Invest in an external microphone like the Shure SM7B ($360), a Blue Yeti ($100) or at the very least a Lavalier Microphone (you can find options below $20 like this one on Amazon). For the webcam, you can use your iPhone as a webcam (works super well on the most recent models) or one of the entry-level Logitech cameras. There's no sponsored link by the way - so feel free to make your own decisions yourself. You're probably already spending 2+ hours to prepare that podcast, go the extra mile and buy the right equipment to make it worth your time!

Part 3: Delivering a Memorable Performance.

With the right preparation in place, it's time to focus on the interview itself. Here are the key principles for delivering a standout performance:

• Bring the Energy. From the moment you start recording, bring an enthusiastic, upbeat energy to the conversation. Smile, gesticulate, and let your passion for the topic come through in your voice. Remember, your energy level sets the tone for the entire episode.
• Showcase Your Expertise. Draw upon your preparation to speak confidently and authoritatively on the subject matter. Back up your points with data, anecdotes, and examples that demonstrate your credibility. Aim to deliver insights and advice that listeners can't find anywhere else.
• Engage Through Storytelling. Bring your talking points to life with vivid storytelling. Share personal experiences, case studies, and analogies that make your ideas more relatable and memorable. Paint a picture that transports listeners and keeps them engaged.
• Inspire Action. End the interview by giving listeners a clear and compelling next step. Reiterate your custom CTA and make it as easy as possible for people to follow up and connect with you. The goal is to turn passive listeners into active leads and customers.

Part 4: Leverage Your hard-won Content

You've put significant effort into preparing and delivering an exceptional podcast interview - now it's time to amplify that impact by repurposing the content.

• Write LinkedIn Posts. Distill key takeaways, stories, or tactics from the episode into short LinkedIn posts. These act as "trailers" that generate interest while showcasing your expertise. Include a link to the full episode to drive listens.
• Share in Targeted DMs. Use a LinkedIn automation tool like botdog.co to send personalized messages sharing the episode with your most relevant connections. Highlight why it would be particularly valuable to them based on their role or interests.
• Share in Connection Requests. When reaching out to new potential clients or partners, reference your podcast appearance in the connection request. This instantly boosts your credibility and authority in their eyes, making them more likely to accept. Again - you can use Botdog.co to measure if your acceptance rate increases using this podcast

• Create short video/audio snippets. Turn compelling clips from the interview into short, shareable audiograms. These snippets are perfect for social media and give people a preview of your insights, increasing the likelihood they'll tune in to the full episode. You can use Riverside for this - or ask your podcast host, they often do it too!
• Repurpose on Your Website. Don't just link to the episode - embed it in a blog post on your company's site. Transcribe key sections and add your own commentary to create a new piece of content that can rank for relevant keywords.

By deploying these promotional tactics, you can reach a much wider audience with your podcast appearance and drive significantly more ROI from the time invested.

Repurposing the interview into multiple formats across various channels maximizes the likelihood that your target customers will encounter your message and expertise. It also reinforces your authority each time they see you in their LinkedIn feeds or inboxes.

Conclusion

In the crowded world of podcasting, standing out as a guest requires more than just showing up. It demands a level of preparation and performance that few are willing to invest in.

But if you treat each podcast appearance as an opportunity to deliver value and make a lasting impression, the rewards are immense! So before your next interview, commit to implementing this playbook and let us know if it helps!