If you’re a podcast host, you know that how your guests perform is the bread and butter of your show.
What you may not realize is that you can heavily affect how they perform on the recording.
That’s why it’s important to communicate with them before recording day. Send a brief email sequence that will put them at ease and get them excited about the show! Think about it as inviting a dinner guest; you definitely tell them what to wear and what to expect. No one wants to show up in a tux to a beach party.
Here are some things you should consider discussing with your guests before recording day:
- Introduce Your Show: It’s essential to give your guest a brief introduction of yourself and your podcast, especially if they’re unfamiliar with it. You can also send them a link to a previous episode as an example of what your show is about. This way, they’ll be able to get a better idea of what they’re getting themselves into.
- Schedule: Before you start recording, make sure to confirm the date, time, and target length of the episode. This will ensure that your guest has enough time to record and doesn’t need to jump off in the middle of the session. This will also help you to schedule your recording sessions more effectively and not waste time.
- Format: Make sure to explain the format of your show and what your guest can expect. This will help them to prepare accordingly and know what to expect on recording day. If your show is a casual conversation, let your guest know. If it’s more structured, explain the flow of the show.
- List of Questions/Topics: Provide your guest with a list of questions or topics you plan to discuss. This will help them to prepare and give them an idea of what the conversation will be about. Ask them if there is anything they don’t want to talk about.
- Give Them Time to Prepare: It’s important to give your guest ample time to prepare, ideally a week before the recording. This will give them enough time to think about the topics you’ll be discussing, research and prepare any notes they need, and feel more confident going into the session.
- Technical Details: Lastly, make sure to provide technical details such as the platform you will be using to record the podcast and any necessary software or equipment they are going to need to have set up. This will ensure your guest has everything they need to record the episode.
- If they have a USB mic, they should use it!
Communicating with your podcast guest before recording day is crucial.
It will help you to build a pre-relationship with them and create a comfortable environment for the best podcast ever!!!
