Getting invited to appear on a podcast is exciting, but it can also trigger nerves – even for seasoned professionals. Proper preparation makes all the difference in delivering value to listeners while building a brand. So how to prepare for a podcast as a guest? Here are some tips that work.
Setting the foundation with strategic preparation
Natural conversation leads to good content but that doesn’t mean going in unprepared.
“The best content comes from responding when people ask questions about their area of expertise,” said Jessica Rhodes, founder of Interview Connections, on an episode of “Marketing, Demystified.” “When they are asked questions on a podcast, that’s when their best content comes out.”
Conisider outlining areas of expertise and suggested discussion topics so you can align your expertise with the audience needs. The goal is to share insights that make listeners think “wow, she’s in my head” – that’s the kind of content that drives engagement and encourages deeper exploration.
Technical preparation makes perfect
Technical issues can quickly derail an otherwise great interview.
“Distraction is the killer of a podcast,” said Jessica. “The best thing anyone can do is be super present and remove all distractions that are going to keep them from being present.”
Mute slack, turn off reminders, be ready to go.
Essential technical preparation includes restarting computers, checking microphone and camera settings, and testing internet connections. A quiet recording space without interruptions and proper lighting for video are crucial. Closing unnecessary applications prevents notifications and system slowdown.
Finding a natural voice
While scripted responses often sound stilted and unnatural, some preparation helps calm nerves and ensures coverage of key points. Reviewing likely questions and outlining main talking points works better than memorizing word-for-word answers.
For those new to podcast guesting, practice interviews with friends, family members or coworkers can build confidence.
“I’ve had clients tell me they have their wife interview them just so they can practice their answers,” said Jessica. This rehearsal helps develop comfort with the interview format while maintaining conversational flow.
Read next: 12 B2B marketing podcasts worth listening to
The dance of conversation
Once recording begins, focus should shift entirely to the conversation at hand.
“Think about it like a dance,” said Jessica. “The host is going to be asking questions, but they’ll also just say statements and give their input.”
Being present in the moment helps read body language and tone to gauge whether to engage in dialogue or listen for the next question.
Small technical glitches shouldn’t cause panic – they happen to everyone.
“We are all humans getting together for a podcast interview,” said Jessica. “Very few podcasters in business studied journalism and broadcasting in college. Give yourself grace while focusing on delivering valuable content and building relationships.”
Learning from each experience
The path to becoming a great podcast guest involves continuous learning and improvement. Listening to published episodes reveals opportunities for clearer or more concise responses. Feedback from trusted colleagues helps refine the approach, while tracking resonant talking points informs future appearances.
Maximizing the impact
A podcast appearance serves best as an ongoing asset. Smart guests begin promotion before recording, building anticipation within their networks.
“I’ve had clients that got clients and leads and sales just from them posting ‘just booked an interview,'” said Jessica.
Post-publication promotion across social channels, creation of short clips, and integration into broader marketing strategies multiply the value of each appearance. Including episode links in prospect communications and email sequences helps demonstrate expertise and build credibility.
The skill of podcast guesting improves with practice. Each appearance builds confidence while expanding reach to new audiences. Authentic helpfulness naturally leads to positive results.
While mastering podcast appearances takes time, the investment pays off through increased visibility, stronger relationships, and new business opportunities. Thorough preparation combined with natural engagement creates valuable content serving both the podcast audience and broader marketing goals.
Integrating podcast appearances into marketing strategy
Podcast guesting extends far beyond the interview itself.
“Anyone can do so much with every interview,” said Jessica. “It’s such a missed opportunity when people are not posting and repurposing the interviews.”
Each appearance can fuel multiple marketing channels and nurture different stages of the sales funnel.
A single podcast appearance serves multiple purposes. Video recordings provide content for YouTube and social media. Audio versions reach podcast listeners who prefer that format. Transcripts become blog posts or social media content. These different formats reach audience members across preferred content types.
The timing of promotional efforts matters, too. Jessica recommends a three-phase approach: “I’m a big fan of really leveraging every interview before, during, and after.” Building buzz at booking, sharing behind-the-scenes content on recording day, and maintaining momentum at launch creates sustained engagement.
Most importantly, podcast appearances enhance the sales process.
“When somebody books a sales call with me,” said Jessica, “I tell them ‘Here’s a podcast I was a guest on – this is a great interview to listen to, to get to know us a little bit more.'” This approach helps prospects understand expertise before conversations begin, making sales discussions more productive.
Existing audiences benefit, too.
“We often forget we’ve been in business more than a year – we already have potential clients following us,” said Jessica. Regular podcast appearances maintain top-of-mind awareness while demonstrating ongoing thought leadership in the industry.