Best Questions to Discuss on Your Next Podcast Appearance
It can be a challenge for some to keep the ball rolling when it comes to conversation, in other cases, someone may be chatty and talkative, but tend to stray from the main point being discussed. A face-to-face conversation includes gestures, facial expressions, pauses, and a steady rhythm of an interchange of speech, so it’s only natural that it can be intimidating for some to go behind a microphone for a recorded conversation. With that in mind, what can help prepare and ease your concerns as you enter a podcast interview? Preparing well-thought-out questions and topics ahead of time that can be shared with the host beforehand can create a map of the conversation. Plotting your route and determining now, what you say later, is a key to reaching your destination - a well-prepared and high-quality interview.
Be Curious About Your Topic
What has excited you in your field of expertise as of late? The more enthusiasm you have toward your topic the more your listeners will enjoy the experience. Step outside the box and consider some fun and playful aspects of your topic you can share. A few humorous stories of your journey can add flavor to your interview and create a memorable experience for your listeners to connect with. For each interview, think about the type of audience you will be speaking to, and see how you can adapt your information to suit those specific listeners, allowing them to be able to utilize your knowledge in their lives and businesses.
Do Your Research
Identify what holds you back. Are there aspects of your topic that are more challenging for you to talk fluently about? Give extra thought to those areas ahead of time and prepare accurate information, reviewing updated facts, so that you are prepared for questions that might arise, rather than bluff your way through.. You want to be confident that you can share reliable information with the audience. So, take the time to prepare by digging into some extra research. In doing so, you will go into the interview more relaxed and confident knowing that you can answer any question related to your area of expertise.
Stay Fluid
Yes, you have certain key questions and topics that you may want to hit during your interview. Remember though, that from your list of pre-sent questions and topics, the host may have their own idea of what they wish to discuss and ask. Even if they chose to use your questions, they are not a bullet point checklist that the host is going to simply read off in order, they are intended to create a suggested outline of a conversation. So be well prepared and adaptable so that you can allow the host to maneuver the questions and topic as they wish so that the two of you can have an enjoyable and relaxed conversation. By staying fluid and going with the flow, your listeners will enjoy their time spent with you.
Be Vulnerable
Your experience, including your flaws and flops, can be one of the greatest takeaways for listeners. It is just as important to share your biggest regrets and failures, as it is to share your greatest accomplishments. It is inspiring to hear how others overcame adversity, so be honest and don’t be afraid to show your human side which listeners can relate to. If there are things that you wish you had done differently, share them so that listeners may be able to avoid the same pitfall that you experienced.
A Guide:
We have curated a list of various questions that may be useful to use in your next podcast interview. While many are broad in scope, you can tailor them to best suit you, the host, guest, topic, purpose, and audience. You will likely want to select a few from each category to use and change them up from interview to interview to keep your conversation fresh.
Get The Ball Rolling
What did you want to be when you were a kid, does it have any relation to your work now?
Where did you grow up, and how did that affect the person you are now?
Do you have a specific morning routine that you would attribute to the success of your day?
What's the best compliment you've ever been given? What has been the most constructive criticism?
How do you spend your free time?
Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
If money wasn't a factor, what would you do with your time?
If you could change one thing in your daily routine, what would it be?
What's your greatest passion?
What did you last Google search?
If you were given 1 million dollars, would you invest it in your business or use it for something personal?
What's your most embarrassing/funny personal story?
What’s been the biggest challenge, and what do you think caused that? What would you do differently next time?
Where do you go for advice?
Mindset Insight
Who do you look up to the most? How have they affected your life?
What do you feel your biggest challenge in life is right now?
What drives you?
What is your biggest fear?
What is something you feel people misunderstand about you?
What would you like to leave in the world as your legacy?
How have you changed over the last year?
What makes you unique in your personal life?
What would be one thing you would change about yourself?
What is a trait in others that you respect/admire?
What is a lesson you wish you could tell your younger self?
What was a turning point/significant moment in your life?
What do you hope to accomplish in the next five years?
What are you proudest of in life?
What keeps you awake at night?
Is there a piece of literature/advice/quote that inspires you?
What challenge in your life molded you into the person you are now?
Teach More About Your Business By Sharing:
Have you had a mentor/ someone to look up to as you built your career?
What’s the biggest surprise you’ve had in your business over the last few months?
What do you find the hardest in your field?
What's your most embarrassing/funny work story?
What’s the biggest challenge you have with your specific role right now and how are you going to overcome it?
How do you learn more in order to stay on top of things within your role?
What is the best tip you have ever been given about your industry/expertise?
What time of day do you feel you are the most productive?
What is one major change and one minor change you would make to your field?
What tip would you give to someone just starting out as a fellow _____?
What do you wish you knew before you started your career?
What has been the most helpful resource you have?
Did you always want to be a _______ ? If not, when did you realize it was your goal?
What is a common misconception about your career path?
What brings you the most joy about what you do?
How would you define true success in your career?
What surprised you the most when you began your career?
What has been the most effective networking method you have utilized?
What sets you apart from your competition?
What is a common struggle in your field of work?
What is a key trait that someone in your field needs to have?
Hype Up Podcasting!
What drew you to podcast guesting?
What is your best content creation tip?
What is your favorite interview/episode you have recorded?
How did you expand your listeners?
What makes your podcast/interviews unique?
What podcasts have you learned the most from/would recommend?
Wrap It Up
What are three books/article recommendations that listeners would love?
What is the biggest takeaway you hope listeners will remember from the interview?
What is the next move/project you are excited about?
Where can listeners follow you/connect/learn more?
Tell the world who you are.
Make a good impression. The questions prepared by you and the podcast host can make or break your interview.
we are podcast bookers
Who we are: Simply put we are expert podcast bookers. We have been busy for years now, booking guests on podcasts for business owners, podcast hosts, book authors, business coaches, financial advisors, retail brands, SaaS, Apps, tech companies, fitness and health professionals - really anyone who wants to tell the world who they are. We also work with marketing agencies who would like to offer podcast guest booking to their clients, but want to use our team. We are proud of our team - we have been around long enough to know that it takes hard work to book our clients on top podcasts - but when we see our clients successfully grow their client base and build a great online reputation - it is worth all the effort and more.
Email our team manager Michelle to see if you qualify to be a podcast guest. michelle@expertbookers.com