1. Handling your Guest's Intro
Read out loud, to yourself, your guest's intro 3-4 times, before the interview starts.
Here's why:
- You won't stumble over your words;
- Your guest's intro won't sound like a question - ex: "He wrote the book on how to generate a six-figure income?"
- The emphasis will be on the right word(s).
Pack your words with energy, enthusiasm, and certainty.
While this is a very easy thing to do, it's also an easy thing NOT to do. I've been on shows, that when the host introduced me, it sounded like it was the first time they read my bio.
While most hosts are not going to have the time or resources needed to do an in-depth study of their guests, show your professionalism by reading the material they send you (off air), and being familiar enough with it, so you can give them a brief, but complimentary ramp into the interview and content.
Here's a related blog post that covers how I'm able to nail a quick intro, get into the content, and then weave in the guest's accomplishments.
2. The Best way to Handle a Lengthy Guest Intro
When your guest provides a long intro/bio as part of the pre-show materials, don't think you need to jam all of the available information into the intro.
While we do want to acknowledge and respect what they've been able to accomplish during their journey (near death experiences, best-selling books, national TV appearances, big brand clients, etc), it has much more story-telling zing and listener-getting power, when it rolls off their lips.
PodTip - Don't give away your guest's story.
Ask better (and often light-hearted) questions to draw their information out.
Ex: "What was the most exciting thing that happened to you on the Fox and Friends set?" or "What's the first thing you did, once you found that your book hit the #1 spot?"
When your guest sends you a multi-paragraph intro, whatever you do, don't read it. Use it as an opportunity to highlight your skill and expertise as an interviewer. If you're new at interviewing, that's cool. Never apologize or feel that you need to explain. Roll with it.
As part of the "on-boarding" process for guests, we ask for a 50-75 word bio. And, while we oftentimes get a short and concise bio/intro, we sometimes get a lot more. No worries when this happens to you though (and it will), because it actually can work to your benefit; giving plenty of material to pull from.
3. How to Handle Post Interview Chit-Chat with Guest Experts
A mistake new podcasters sometimes make, is that they quickly get off the phone or Skype, as soon as the interview is over; missing, what could be, a great opportunity.
- Budget in 3-5 minutes for relationship-building;
- In the post interview small talk, ask your guest what they're the MOST excited and "on-fire" about, right now. The off-the-record answer and conversation will turn into a HUGE open door for you - an open door for friendship, service and collaboration.
4. Don't Forget to do this after the Recording
In a follow-up email, ask your guest for a couple of tips on how you can become a better interviewer.
This is HUGE, because it shows that you value their advice and are serious about perfecting your craft as a podcaster. And, of course, you'll be strengthening the relationship. Unfortunately, I can count on two hands (missing a few fingers) how many podcasters have done this in my experience as an interviewee.
Here's a Once and Done Solution:
If you haven't already, create an automated follow-up email sequence that thanks the guest for their time and willingness to share on your show. And, within the body of the email, ask them for a suggestion or a point to grow on. (Here is a list of many of the online tools that we love.)
Personally, when an interviewer asks my advice, I am delighted to offer guidance and suggestions.
Here's the deal - For the most part, your guest wants to see you succeed.
They wouldn't have come on your show and invested in the time or effort, if that wasn't the case.
So give them the opportunity to help.
As my friend Rabbi Daniel Lapin teaches - When people invest in you, it endears you to them.
I trust that this has been helpful for you and until next time.... Remember this... Living a life true to who you are, is the greatest gift you can give to yourself, your family, society, and I believe, to God.
Make it a great day and ReLaunch with confidence!!!
Sharpen your interviewing skills now - 5 Steps to a Fantastic Interview
Launching a podcast this year? Follow the exact steps we took that helped us to hit multiple #1s!