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In this episode of The Podcast Reporter, we discuss a blogpost from podiant.co that delivers suggestions and blueprint on how to make an interview podcast.
The article by Mark Steadman is located at:
Mark starts out the blog post by describing a podcast interview:
“An interview podcast — a host speaking with a guest or two, over Zoom or in-person — is the easiest way to start building your authority, and get to grips with the medium of podcasting.”
Mark spends a good deal of time in a lengthy discussion (which is more like a blueprint) on How to conduct a podcast interview. This means that the main objective of the interviewer is to set up the guest for success.
Mark also gives some PROTIPs along the way, including what an interview really is — a conversation where you discuss ideas, knowledge, viewpoints, etc.
In a bullet-format, Mark also suggests the roles and responsibilities of the interviewer in a lengthy preparation for the interview. In addition, Mark will also step you through his suggestions on how to conduct the interview — including the host-read wrap around method: “That’s where the host delivers an intro to the episode, hands over to the interview, then back to the host for the outro. These bits should be recorded after the interview, and as close to publication of the episode as possible.”
And so each stage of the interview and each task is given some detail as to how to approach and set up the dialogue and continue (that includes the “good, the bad and the ugly”), such as:
- how to start each episode of an interview podcast;
- how a good structure would work;
- and what good personal podcast coaching should be to help.
Interestingly enough, Mark had this to say about voice-over artists: “no voice-over artist should come anywhere near your podcast in any professional capacity, other than as a guest. This is the host’s space, and the listener is here for the authority the host brings. Intimacy is based on authentic connection, and an over-slick intro, however good the voice artist is, puts a barrier up between the host and the listener. (I often work with voice-over artists, and love doing so. They do great work — they just don’t belong in podcast intros.)”
Mark then describes how to end each episode of an interview podcast.
In fact, he delivers a good structure for an outro (which a lot of podcasters seem to omit):
- “Thanks to my guest for being on the show. Links to their work are in the show notes, which you’ll find at mywebsite.com.
- You can support me by doing this thing (backing this Patreon, going to buymeacoffee.com etc). If you can’t do that, tell a friend about the podcast.
- (If you like, and if it’s applicable) Next week I’ll be talking to so-and-so about such-and-such.
- Thanks for listening, and talk to you next time.“
He finally gives some advice on editing a podcast interview, and, of course, his call-to-action is to promote his own consultation as a podcast mentor. He also gives some hints on editing software and a few bullets on good show notes.
Now, for this podcaster, this would be a great overview for a new or aspiring interviewer with his own show and a good beginning of enthusiasm. For the few minutes of reading these “reminders,” there is some value for the podcaster to remember some of the items mentioned.
However, there are other courses and tools that are given — let alone the plethora of podcast episodes that deal with interviewing from the interviewer’s point of view. In fact, one of the more comprehensive and detailed episodes that covers most aspects for the podcaster in planning and conducting interviews is in the archives and back-catalog of Daniel J Lewis of The Audacity to Podcast show. This evergreen content is an excellent launching point, as Daniel always has great detail and actionable steps for his suggestions. In addition, you should always get a copy of his “pre-flight checklist” for podcast recording (which is a MUST for any new podcaster).
We hope that you can get the proper workflow and preparation, recording and editing of your podcast interview, and that your show can then be a success.
Thank you for your attention.
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