It’s 2022! While YouTubers are continuously increasing, there is no doubt that some viewers are slowly moving towards the podcast land. WHY? According to Professor Emma Rodero, “Audio is one of the most intimate forms of media because you are constantly building your images of the story in your mind, and you’re creating your production.” No wonder podcasting is becoming more and more popular these days.
In a podcast show, there must be a host and a guest. Well, most podcasts have this kind of setup! Because it has to be interactive and will tingle the listener’s imagination. Now the question is, would you want to be the host, the guest, or both? Either way, you need to be prepared at all costs. Your reputation is at stake! Perhaps your business as well. You do not want to lose your avid clients. Therefore, PREPARATION IS KEY.
As a business owner, 24/7 is sometimes not enough for you to juggle all your responsibilities and what more to become a podcast host. So, being a podcast guest is the perfect angle for you.
Reasons To Be a Podcast Guest
- You do not need to stress yourself with writing and recording your material.
- Being a guest on somebody’s podcast enables you to give value to the listeners and market yourself or your business.
Now that we have established the advantages of being a podcast guest let us make you the go-to podcast guest that will make your audience want more.
Learn and Listen
Researching on the podcast show, you will be guesting on must be the first step. Listen to past episodes, check the host’s profile to see if you have things in common with and know their target audience. It is perfect if you are already a podcast fan, but sometimes details are not easily ‘seen.’ These questions can serve as your guide: Are their previous guests formal or conversational? Is the host fast-paced, or do they let the guest talk at length?
Be Prepared
Usually, the host/ podcast team will send some questions before the scheduled podcast. If they do not send you one, ask for it in advance. It is better to be prepared than be caught off guard! Besides, this is a big time saver. Take note: even if you have a flow or a script ready, you still want to sound as natural as possible. And, if this will be your first time, the second time, or the third time as a podcast guest… Please practice first!
Have Emergency Silence Breakers Ready
We can say that listeners are more challenging to convert than viewers as most of us are very visual. Lulls are inevitable, especially when you just met the person, and it is also hard to open up at first. Initially, being awkward is normal. But not in the entire podcast! Thus, make sure you have one or two silence breakers, like cracking a joke or talking about your favorite travel destination.
Do Not Market Yourself Too Much
It is a common mistake that podcast guests make. Yes, guesting in podcasts is part of your marketing strategy, but not to the point that you will overly talk about yourself or promote your business outright. If you do this and become aggressive, expect you will not get another invite, or your business might be jeopardized. The audience prefers to listen to your humanness. They want to feel the emotion and be included in your story. They want someone they can relate to.
Embrace Your Personality
You may have idols who are great speakers who have a professional tone, and you may want to mimic them. Well, don’t! The audience can feel if you are pretending to be someone. Do not be afraid to show some humor and laugh if the flow of conversation needs it. It can also break the ice if you are nervous. This will make the audience appreciate you more.
Final Point
Ultimately, being a podcast guest can either be easy or difficult. Depending on the podcast show, the host, and how well you prepare for it as a guest. Frankly, it can also make or break your reputation! Here’s a secret: leverage your role as a podcast guest, and always remember that listeners have emotions. When you can reach that balance, there is a considerable chance that the next invite will only be seconds away. Can you wait for it?
