What makes a good guest on a podcast?
The success of any podcast, especially a company podcast produced to enhance brand reach or thought leadership, hinges on several factors.
High-quality audio, engaging content, and consistent production are essential.
But one often-overlooked element can make or break an episode: the guest.
Choosing the right guests is crucial for delivering valuable content and achieving your podcast's objectives.
At Message Heard, we understand that finding guests who resonate with your audience is a key part of effective podcast production services.
“In short, a good podcast guest knows stuff, can communicate that stuff clearly and with personality, and is having fun with you!”
'A good podcast guest' is likely to have several (though maybe not all) of the following attributes, so consider this list when sourcing guests for your company podcast:
They’re engaged with you and with the process
They’re open to coaching on both technical and presentational aspects, and flexible in adopting the advice they get
Have an interest in your podcast – maybe even are a listener!
They are knowledgeable about the topic or have personal experience of it – but they’re also actively curious
They’re animated and enthusiastic as well as being an expert – we’ll usually prefer a good storyteller or someone with a compelling personality over the preeminent authority on a topic if the latter is taciturn or otherwise not great at communicating that topic
They’re a confident speaker and ideally have experience of being interviewed
They enjoy it!
They’re well-known in their field
They have an existing network (such as a following on social media) which they’re happy to promote their appearance to once the episode goes live
They have examples or anecdotes which are relatable to the audience, and which can be used to describe complex topics
Now it’s time to find and vet potential guests…
Finding the perfect guest is both an art and a science. As a podcast production agency, we have a wealth of experience in sourcing and vetting guests for a variety of podcasts. Here are a few tips for your company podcast:
Where to find guests: Industry events, social media (especially LinkedIn), your own network, and even previous podcast guests can be excellent sources.
Assessing suitability:
Review their online presence (social media, articles, etc.) to get a sense of their communication style and expertise.
Conduct a pre-interview to assess their communication skills, subject matter expertise, and personality.
Ensure they understand the goals of your podcast (especially for a company podcast, where brand alignment is crucial).
Preparing your guest…
Preparing guests:
Provide them with an outline of the interview questions or topics to be covered.
Give them any relevant information about your podcast, your company, and your target audience.
Offer technical guidance (e.g., microphone setup, recording environment) to ensure high-quality audio.
Choosing the right guests is a critical component of producing a podcast that resonates with your audience and achieves your strategic objectives. If you're looking to launch a company podcast or need assistance with any aspect of podcast production services, Message Heard can help. Our podcast production services are designed to take the hassle out of podcasting and ensure your message is heard. Contact us today for a consultation and let our podcast production company help you create a compelling podcast.