The Art of the Guest Experience

The world of podcasting has yet to stop evolving.

With ever-evolving technology, there is a concern that podcast editors and podcast engineers might start to act more like assembly line managers. After all, with AI, it isn’t beyond our wildest imaginations to scout leads, schedule recordings, and generate transcripts in a snap.

And yet, while AI can easily dominate many aspects of podcast production, there’s one area that it cannot touch: the genuine rapport between humans.

The best podcasters know that a guest isn’t just someone that comes in for a short time. They are, in fact, valuable collaborators and co-creators, and shouldn’t be treated as “just another asset.” It’s worth anyone’s time to master the art of the guest experience, which will ensure a great time for everyone involved.

1) Psychological Comfort for the Pre-Interview and Interview

The task of being someone’s guest is often a nerve wracking one, even for seasoned professionals. To make sure your upcoming guest feels safe and at ease, you need to remove every ounce of friction possible.

To start, it’s recommended that you send a concise prep document at least two days before the recording. This shouldn’t be limited to the questions you intend to ask; It should also include your whys. As in, why you chose them and why the experience will be a worthwhile one.

Finally, on the day itself, take the time to speak to them off-record. Discuss anything that they may want to talk about, what they don’t want to talk about, and everything else in between. Get it all out of the way before hitting that record button.

For the actual recording, it is recommended that you utilize a “valley and peak” method. You or your podcast host can start with comfort questions with lower stakes. Doing so will help you build momentum as you dive into more complex and insightful topics.

Following Up During the Post-Interview

So, you’ve pulled off a great interview with your guest. It would be a mistake at this point to think that you’re off the hook. Don’t just send a quick “Thanks!” along with a link before disappearing. The warmth you extended before and during the interview must continue afterwards.

The suggestion here is to provide a full post-interview asset kit. This has to include custom graphics that the guest would find enticing to share on social media. These may even include their best quotes so that they, too, can look extra good during the promotional period.

Another thing the kit should have are pre-written captions and any micro-clips that they can also post online. Imagine how thrilled your guest will be to see a highlight reel of their most recent interview.

In sending them these assets, you aren’t implicitly asking them to help you promote the episode. You’re essentially giving away free marketing material that they can easily take advantage of for their own brand building. This makes the asset kit a win-win for the both of you.

Building an Alumni Network

Interviews should be viewed as the start of a relationship, not the end of one. Treat your guests like kings and queens and you’ll start to have a network of contacts that you can count on for any collaborations down the line.

First things first, check in on your most recent guest around a month after the episode has aired. Be sure to show them any positive reception that the ep might have garnered since then, such as screenshots of listener comments or good reviews.

Don’t stop there; once in a quarter, it would do you a world of good to send emails to all of your former guests. Present the state of your show in this email, including any and all reactions to the episodes they were on. Doing this can keep you at the top of their minds, and positions you as an authority in your niche.

Keep in mind that guests who feel managed may give you interviews, but those who feel hosted will go beyond that and provide you with partnerships. If this proved to be an insightful read, then be sure to check in with the good folks over at Podcast Engineers!

Whether you’re a podcast editor, an engineer, or any other podcast professional looking to improve your game, taking advantage of your free discovery call is the best way to stay ahead of the competition. Act now and benefit from our experience and expertise!