PODCASTING KNOWHOW FOR HOSTS AND GUESTS

Lou Hamilton, founder if the brilliant Brave New Girl podcast, ranked in the top 2.5% of podcasts, shares what she’s learnt along the way.

TIPS FOR HOSTS

Guesting on a podcast makes you a better interviewer. You get a good sense of what works and what doesn’t work from the other side.

What’s the kind of format you like – q&a, conversational, quickfire round of questions, panel discussion? Establish what you enjoy as a guest and a listener for you decide on your format.

What kind of podcast do you want to create – what’s your mission? Be really clear what and who it’s for, and this will help you choose the guests. Or maybe you want to do a solo podcast?

You can start in a really basic way, doing your podcast on Zoom, or using SquadCast (which also has a video function). Or get a Blue Yeti microphone and plug it into your computer.

If you want to get podcasting equipment, find out what’s available to suit your needs and budget. Use Google but also ask people you know – everyone has a favourite platform or mike.

Just do it. It’s not going to be perfect, and you won’t be particularly good, and it takes time to get used to it. You can always refine and upgrade later on.

Be really clear about what you’re doing and why. Build your podcast around your message or meaning. What’s really important to you and your brand or business?

TIPS FOR GUESTS

Plan your strategy – which podcasts are going to help you market your business or brand?

Do your research on each podcast, listen to a few episodes and think about how your story will resonate with their audience.

Pitch to the podcaster, showing that you’ve done your research and understand the DNA of the podcast, and what you can add.

Prior to being a guest, go through your story and identify which areas you’re willing to share and which are no-go zones.

Find the things that are relevant for each individual podcast and remember your ultimate reason for sharing your expertise and the lessons you’ve learned.

Get on the socials of the podcaster, follow and engage with them, talk to your audience about your upcoming interview, then share it once it’s out there. Encourage the listeners of this podcast to become part of your world.

We remember people by their stories, the ones that make us feel. Being on a podcast puts you in the privileged position of being inside someone’s head, and if you make them feel something powerful, they’ll want to find out more about you.

You’re telling your story in order to shed light on the things you’ve learnt. You’re guiding them with those learnings – so think about the listener, rather than focusing on you.

Make sure that the anecdotes you choose reflect your brand, enabling you to get your message across in a subtle way, rather than using a sledgehammer.

Lou Hamilton is founder of Brave New Girl Media, an agency for people who want to get onto podcasts, and author of Dare To Share, how to tell your story and share your message on podcasts.