What does it take to create a great podcast interview? It is no real secret that interview podcasts are one of the most popular types of podcast formats. And it’s easy to see why. Not only does the interview format provide diversity and chemistry for the listeners to enjoy. But interviews are also a powerful tool for providing insights, stories, and expert knowledge that engage listeners and keep them coming back for more. But conducting a successful podcast interview isn’t just about hitting the record button; it’s an art that requires preparation, technique, and finesse.
Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, these 11 expert tips will help you master the art of podcast interviewing and create compelling, shareable content.
And what’s more, will have you standing out from all the rest of those interview podcasts out there.
11 Expert Tips for Conducting a Great Podcast Interview
1. Research Your Guest Thoroughly
Anything great starts with great planning. And a great podcast interview is no different. Before your interview, take the time to research your guest. You want to familiarize yourself with their background, accomplishments, their specific area of expertise, as well as any current projects. Knowing your guest well helps you craft and ask meaningful, engaging initial questions that go beyond surface-level topics.
But this thorough preparation will also enable you to ask great follow-up questions that resonate with your audience and set your interview apart.
- Takeaway: Knowing your guest’s story helps you create a more engaging conversation and demonstrates respect for their time and expertise, setting the stage for a comfortable and open dialogue.
2. Prepare Open-Ended Questions
An easy way to take your interview to the next level is to avoid yes-or-no questions. Instead, you want to focus on open-ended questions that encourage your guest to elaborate. Questions like “Can you tell us about a pivotal moment in your career?” or “What inspired you to start your current project?” create opportunities for storytelling and deeper insights. The best podcast interviews feel like conversations, and open-ended questions keep the dialogue dynamic and engaging.
- Bonus Tip! Prepare a list of questions to guide the conversation (and give these to your guest well before the time so that they can prepare!) but remain flexible. Some of the best moments in interviews come from spontaneous follow-ups or taking a new direction based on the guest’s response.
3. Set the Right Tone and Environment
An often over-looked element to a great interview is how comfortable the guest feels. But making your guest feel at ease is key for an authentic and engaging interview.
A really effective way to do this is to touch base with your guest before your interview so that you can let them know what to expect ahead of time, including the interview format, topics to be discussed, and any technical requirements.
Remember! You should always share your proposed questions with your guest well-ahead of your interview! You want them prepared so that they can give you their best answers!
The more comfortable they feel, the more likely they are to open up and authentically share genuine insights.
- Expert Tip: Begin with lighter, easier questions before diving into more challenging topics. This helps build rapport and sets up the chemistry and the overall tone for the interview.
4. Listen Actively
Active listening is one of the most important podcast interviewing techniques. Rather than simply moving through your list of questions, listen closely to your guest’s responses. This will allow you to ask thoughtful follow-up questions that dive deeper into interesting points or unexpected insights. It also shows your guest that you value their input, creating a more engaging and interactive conversation that your listeners will appreciate.
- How It Helps: Active listening shows respect and keeps the interview flowing naturally. It also allows you to explore unexpected yet fascinating topics that may arise organically. It’s also a great way to get insights that no one else has before.
5. Be Flexible with Your Script
While it’s essential to prepare a list of questions and topics, it’s equally important to remain flexible. Sometimes the most memorable moments in a podcast interview arise from unexpected, spontaneous detours in the conversation. So as much as you need to be prepared, don’t be afraid to veer off script if your guest brings up an intriguing topic or shares a story that wasn’t initially planned.
Remember, the goal is to have an authentic conversation, so trust your instincts and let the conversation flow.
- Fun Fact: The more prepared you are, the easier it will be to be flexible with your script!
6. Avoid Interrupting or Over-Talking
Next up, a BIG one! And possibly one of my biggest interview podcast pet peeves…hosts who constantly interrupt or talk over their guests. I get it though, when the thoughts are flowing, it’s tempting to jump in with your own input and share your thoughts on the matter. But please, rather let your guest finish their thoughts first! Give them time to fully articulate their ideas, and rather take notes to come back to specific points later.
- Pro Tip: Silence can be powerful. Sometimes, a pause gives your guest the space to expand on their thoughts, leading to deeper insights.
Related read: Want to find out more about our podcasting pet peeves (and how you can avoid them?!)? Check out this post!
7. Guide the Conversation, but Don’t Dominate It
This brings us nicely to tip Number 7 of great podcast interviews. And that’s the fact that great podcast interview hosts are ones who guide the conversation, they don’t dominate it.
While it’s essential to keep the interview on track, you want to do this without forcefully controlling the conversation. Allow your guest to take the lead and share their insights while you facilitate the flow and structure.
- Tip: If the conversation veers off-topic, gently steer it back by referencing your prepared questions or bringing the focus back to the main theme of the episode. Again, the more prepared you are, the easier it is to do this!
8. Stay Engaged and Show Genuine Interest
Our next podcast interview tip can help separate the good podcast interview hosts from the greats. Because great hosts are the ones who stay engaged throughout the conversation and who show genuine interest in their guests.
The thing to remember here is that your energy will set the tone for the interview. If yours starts to noticeably dwindle, your guest will feed off of that and the whole conversation will go downhill and fast!
So go into every interview with the mindset of an athlete who needs to be at peak performance for the whole game!
- Takeaway: Remember, energy is infectious! If you’re engaged, focused, and bringing your A-game, your guest will, too! And this all makes for podcast interview magic!
9. Keep the Audience in Mind
Next up, great podcast interviews happen when the interviewers keep their audience in mind. Remember, you’re not just speaking with your guest; you’re also communicating with your audience.
A good way to practice this is to frame questions in a way that addresses the listener’s perspective and provide context when needed.
- Example: If your guest is an industry expert, the conversation mind be heavy with jargon or technical details. A great podcast host would find ways to pause and add context, or ask the guest follow-up questions to clarify for listeners who might not be familiar with the terminology.
10. Summarize Key Points and Highlights
Another great tip for expert podcast interviews is to find ways to summarize key points or highlights from their interview as you’re drawing the conversation to a close. Briefly summarizing or reiterating key points can help reinforce important information for your listeners. As a bonus, this also shows your guest that you’re fully engaged and valuing their insights.
- Expert tip: Summarizing keeps the audience on track and provides clear takeaways, enhancing the overall impact of the episode.
11. End with a Strong Conclusion
And finally, something I find interview podcasters often forget is that even if you’re conducting an interview, you’re still telling a story. The best interviews create an overall narrative that gives a framework to the interview. And because it’s a narrative, you need to have a strong conclusion.
One way to wrap up your interview is with a thoughtful closing question that allows your guest to leave a lasting impression. Ask for a final piece of advice, a favorite resource, or something they’re excited about.
- Closing Tip: Thank your guest and let them know when the episode will be live. Ending on a positive note leaves the door open for future collaborations.
A Great Podcast Interview Is One Conversation Away
Mastering the art of conducting great podcast interviews takes time, practice, and preparation. By implementing these expert tips you’ll create engaging and memorable episodes that captivate your audience, deliver content they can’t get anywhere else, and keep them coming back for more. Remember, a great interview isn’t just about the questions you ask but the authentic connection you build with your guest. When you make your guests feel comfortable, and when you engage genuinely with their stories, you create an experience that resonates not only with them but also with your listeners. So, put these tips into action, and watch your podcast interviews transform into powerful storytelling moments.
