When I was 12 I used to be a mad fan of a certain band, I’m not going to mention their name but I used to have pictures of them on my bedroom wall and I bought all their records (this was the 80s).
I even saved up Saturday job money and bought exotic Japanese imports on vinyl.
I knew all the words to all the songs and read meaning into them where no meaning existed. I loved this band!
Then I met them. Boy, was I disappointed.
They were doing a reunion tour and I got to interview them for my radio show and they gave one word answers, looked like they didn’t want to be there and were not cool any more. They looked like someone’s dad… which they probably were!
It’s easy to be disappointed by a podcast guest as well.
Picking the right guest
Yes, it’s your fault! You picked the wrong guest.
It could be. Try and do a little bit of research about your guest and find out if they really know what they’re talking about. If you don’t think they do then don’t book them.
If you get chance, have a read about the widely debated Dunning–Kruger effect which won an Ig Nobel Prize in 2000.
The Dunning-Kruger Curve shows that people with zero experience know they are incompetent. However, those with just a little experience vastly overestimate their competence.
Its basically says that some folk think they know more than they really do
I get guest pitches for my Marketing Podcast every day and a lot get rejected because either they just want to sell something or I don’t think they are ‘expert’ enough to talk about a topic.
Asking the right questions
Make sure you ask questions that the guest knows the answer to, send them a list of questions a few days before recording so they can prepare.
Keep your guest in their comfort zone so they don’t start blagging the answers to questions which is not what you want.
I’ve had guests tell me during an interview that they don’t know the answer to something which is great. I want to hear this so I can edit it out later. The last thing you want is a guest making stuff up.
Don’t say yes to everyone
This can be difficult especially if your podcast is new and you’re struggling to find guests.
Only say yes if you really think the guest can offer value or entertainment to your audience, not because they say yes.
When you first start out podcasting it can feel great having someone say yes to an interview but make sure they’re a right fit for your audience.
Don’t be afraid to say no.
What I’m listening To
I’ve just started listening to Cheat! from Something Else and I’m really enjoying it. It’s about people who cheat like the boxer that soaked his hands in concrete before a fight!
It’s presented by Alzo Slade who who does an amazing job of telling the stories.
I’m enjoying the show. Give it a listen and tell me what you think.
Cheat
Listen to Cheat! on Spotify. Have you ever wondered about those people in life who don’t play by the rules?
