10 Tactical Tips for Becoming a Top Guest Podcast Interviewer

Hey Friend!

I’m super excited to share this amazingly tactical episode for you on how to become the best podcast guest interviewer ever! You’re going to win the sticker that says Number One, Podcast Interviewer. I do believe these 10 Tactical Tips will help you elevate your game and take you to the next level.

One of the things that people have said to me in the past is, “Wow, you’re really good at interviewing. I really enjoyed this conversation with you. This was so much fun. I loved that you asked really thought-provoking questions.” I want to be able to hand you some of those tips that I’ve utilized after almost five years of podcasting so that you can really take your interview skills to the next level. So get ready. We’re about to dive in.

Free Podcasting Workshop

Before we do, did you know that I have a free workshop for you? This 40-minute workshop is going to show you visually why podcasting is my absolute favorite way to grow an online business. It’s the number one way that we make money here at Stef Gass.

I want to show you how it could work for you whether you have a business or whether you don’t have a business. It doesn’t matter. It’s a beautiful way for you to scale even if your business is already successful.

I promise you these 40 minutes are going to really help you understand how podcasting is the number one driver to success on my end and how it can potentially be the same for you. Head right now, to this link. Or if you want to work with me on some other level, head on over to the Stefanie Gass School and check out all the ways we can work together.

What Does It Mean to Be a Podcast Interviewer?

The first thing is if you don’t have a podcast, being a podcast interviewer is where you are sitting behind the microphone, you have a guest on your show, and you are simply asking questions. You are kind of leading the conversation and allowing your guest to be in the spotlight and provide value that maybe you don’t provide or that you want them to provide in a different or unique way. There are lots of different types of interviews that you can do.

• You can have a conversational interview where it’s more 50-50.
• You can have a true straight-up interview style where it’s probably more of an 80-20. They talk 80 percent of the time and you talk 20 percent of the time.
• Your interviews can be short
• Your interviews can be long.

There are so many amazing ways to have interviews. I think the best way for you to find out what’s going to work for you is to dive in and do some.

Are You Already a Podcast Interviewer?

Do you fall in the first camp where you don’t have a show yet? Or maybe you’re in the second camp where you already have a podcast and have you’ve done some interviews. Have you:

• Felt awkward?
• Felt clunky?
• Had to do a lot of editing because of unnatural pauses?

Maybe you love interviewing and you just want to elevate your game. These tips are really going to help you do just that. I’ve gotten this baby down to science where I truly don’t have to edit my interviews. Hopefully, these tips will help you step into your authority as an interviewer. You’ll become a confident person who is able to think quickly on your feet and someone who is a joy to have a conversation with.

Why We Interview?

I believe why we interview at all is to bring our audience incredible value. We interview people we know, like, and trust or people we look up to in whatever field it is that we’re working in. So that they can bless our audience in a new, unique, and different way. So grab a notebook and pen. I’ve got some really tactical stuff we’re going to dig into right now.

Podcast Interviewer Tip #1: Prepare

My number one podcast interviewer tip is to prepare. Before you interview someone, do your research. Friend, don’t ever show up to interview somebody and be scrambling to figure out who they are. Here are some things that will help you prepare for the interview.

• What does their website say about them?
• Know some fun and unique facts about them that can break the ice.
• Learn about what it is they have to offer in the world.
• Listen to a show if they have a podcast or a YouTube video.

It’s incredibly valuable to show up to an interview knowing you have done your homework. You’ve prepped ahead of time, you’re organized, you’re well-researched, and you’re well-versed in whatever it is that they do. It makes a difference. Plus, it gives you some groundwork to actually resonate with the person you’re interviewing, and you’re not scrambling to think on your feet about what it is they do.

Two Podcast Interviewer Extremes

I have been interviewed by people who have done a ton of research. They know all about me and they obviously have listened to the show. But I’ve also been interviewed by a couple of people who had no idea who I was. Somebody on their team set the interview up. They didn’t know anything about me and it showed.

As the person being interviewed, you can tell, who is taking you seriously. It really elevates the conversation when you feel seen, heard, and valued.

Tip #2: Ask Open-Ended Questions

Tip number two is to ask open-ended questions. As kind of a P.S. to tip number one, I would highly recommend preparing some questions ahead of time and sending them to your podcast guest. Make sure they are open-ended. We don’t want our interview answers to be yes or no.

For example, “So do you enjoy podcasting?” “Yes!” You want to switch that up to say, “Tell me the top three things you love about podcasting.” Always pose your question in an open-ended format. This way, you can take the value, amazing tidbit, or fun thing they say and riff off of that.

We typically send four or five very open-ended questions to help lead the discussion, just in case they want to prepare and have something to go off of. But I always tell my guests, “I’ve got these questions we sent you. If you say something juicy to one of my questions, I’m definitely going to follow that rabbit trail. So just FYI, I am not necessarily sticking to the script.”

I am somebody who is very calm and conversational. I allow that conversation to be organic and fun for both of us. So having open-ended questions as a starting point is such a great way to do it.

Tip #3: Be on Time

Tip number three is to be on time. Do not be three minutes late friend. Instead, you need to be three to four minutes early. This maybe falls into the prepared bucket, which was tip number one but preparation will help you to be on time. Make sure and double-check:

• Is your mic plugged in?
• Are your notifications silenced on your phone?
• Is your dog wherever it needs to be so it’s not barking?

Being on time, in my opinion, is a matter of respect. I’ve been interviewed by some people who are big, notable names and they were not on time. I would get, “Oh, we’re running late or they’re running late.” It’s just rude, in my opinion. It makes you as the guest feel unimportant or like an afterthought. It’s also very disrespectful for somebody to be late at a predetermined time.

Tip #4: Listen Attentively

Tip number four is to listen attentively. As a podcast interviewer, be a great listener. The worst thing in the world you can do when you are actively in conversation with somebody is not looking at their eyes. I know this is really hard when we’re on a screen. You’ve got to be super attentive, and this includes not only looking but most importantly, listening.

This is going to allow you to grab those beautiful golden nuggets they’re going to infuse into the conversation. Dig deeper and ask them to say a little bit more about that. This will give you an actual conversation instead of just a Q and A format.

Listening will help you learn from your guest. I actually take notes when I’m interviewing because:

• It helps me listen attentively.
• It helps put me in a position of learning as if they are the teacher and I am the student.
• I can act as if I’m listening to the podcast like my listeners will be.
• And I can read back the tips, tricks, and things they’re mentioning in the conversation.

I wouldn’t capture any of that if I’m not actively listening. This is so hard nowadays because our attention spans are like seven seconds. That’s super sad. I’m actually going to do a podcast episode on this soon and share some hacks to increase our attention spans.

Tip #5: Be Conversational

Tip number five is to be conversational. Focus on casual conversation instead of just your list of questions. This leads to a more relaxed vibe for you and your guest. And when you’re more conversational, your guest will usually open up. They might share something they’ve never shared before. And they’ll probably even tell stories. I think storytelling is highly converting for people on the other end.

Tip #6: Be Respectful With Your Interruptions

Tip number six is to be respectful with your interruptions. I understand wanting to say, “That happened to me time too.” Please hold on to those. This is not your interview. Spoiler, it’s their interview, okay? For a moment, you’re stepping off of your stage and you’re allowing somebody else to come on your stage.

When you give someone else the stage, you don’t get to run up on the stage, grab the microphone away from them and start screaming. It’s a little bit rude when somebody continues to talk over me when I’m the one being interviewed.

It’s totally fine to say, “Do you mind if I clarify that for a moment? Or, you know, when that happened to me, this thing happened, is that exactly what you mean?” I think it’s great to ask clarifying questions or to drive the conversation forward. It’s totally acceptable to interject occasionally. Just be mindful that you’re not cutting people off, that you’re not interjecting your stories onto somebody else’s stage.

Tip #7: Ask Your Guests to Tell Stories

Tip number seven is to ask your guests to tell stories. One of the best ways to create vulnerability and foster trust is to get people to tell stories. Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways we connect with our listeners. I have an entire module on storytelling, connection, and building trust inside my six-month mastermind program for podcasters, Podcast to Profit.

Storytelling is one of the secret sauces that I teach my students. When you get your guests to share a specific example of something or a story or experience, the listener is going to identify. Stories can make an elusive concept or something that we’re not fully grasping, totally relatable and digestible.

I’m a visual learner and a podcaster. There’s nothing to see in podcasting. So the way that my visual sense is activated is by imagining. When somebody tells stories, things come to life. I know so many people are like me in that way.

Tip #8: Build Rapport

Tip number eight is to build rapport. Building rapport with the guest you’re interviewing causes them to drop their defenses. It also makes the conversation smoother, and it gets rid of everybody’s nerves. Before you begin your interview, take maybe three minutes to introduce yourself, and see if you can find common ground. Check out the “About” section of their website.

For example, you know I have a sheepadoodle. I’m also a boy mom. Dog owners and boy moms can click with me. Maybe your guest has written a book. Ask them, “Wasn’t that the craziest, hardest, most amazing thing you’ve ever done?“ What is a thing they’ve done that you can resonate with or something about their life you can mention to break the ice? I think the more casual you can be by asking simple questions like, where they live will help to get them to open up. This is going to create a relaxed atmosphere before you guys dive into the interview.

Tip #9: Speak Clearly

Tip number nine is to speak clearly. Be sure to speak with clarity and enunciate during your interview. The last tip on this specific topic is don’t go in circles trying to ask the question you want to ask. It’s very hard to follow if you’re the one being interviewed and the interviewer rambles in a circle before getting to the actual question. Just ask the question point blank. If you’re clear and concise, it really helps the person digest what you’re saying. Remember, we have a seven-second attention span.

This is not just you trying to remember as the interviewer, but it’s also for your guest. They need to understand what it is that you’re asking them. This is where it helps to have those predetermined questions jotted down. Have them on a sheet of paper or inside your operating system.

Tip #10: Be You, Be Authentic

Tip number ten is to be you, be authentic. Be authentically you, friend. I know that sounds obvious, but listen. The more genuine you are, the more your guest is going to be genuinely who they are. And the more respect your audience is going to give you as a podcast interviewer.

There have been times when somebody says something, and I had to just stop the whole interview. I’m like, I really struggle with that or I can’t believe you said that. It’s a true, authentic, and unscripted moment where I completely resonate with my guest. I eliminate my ego and my pride and ask them for help live on the interview. Being authentic allows you to drop into this beautiful moment and allow somebody else to bless your audience and you too.

I tell my guests all the time. “I’ve got so many pages of notes. I’ve been so rocked by this conversation with you.” And I mean it! I’m just being me and in a posture of learning from my guest. This has really helped me to open the door to not just having a beautiful conversation, but it’s actually led to some genuine friendships. It all started out with an interviewee-interviewer relationship. It’s been so amazing. So be you, be authentic.

Bonus Tip: Practice

I have a bonus tip for you. I know I’ve given you a lot of tips that could feel a bit overwhelming. But the only way you’re going to truly get better as a podcast interviewer is to practice and do some interviews. Practice is my last tip.

After you’ve done a few interviews, ask yourself, what could I have done better? Maybe set one little mini-goal every time you interview somebody.

• Be More Clear
• Be More Relatable
• Be More Authentic

Push yourself in these directions and in five years, who knows? You may become super confident, super excited, and absolutely love the interview part of podcasting.

Friend, if you need some help starting a podcast, head to my free Podcast for Growth Workshop. Or you can take my online course, Podcast Pro University. Finally, if you’re already a podcaster and you want true interactive help, guidance, mentorship, and coaching on:

• Elevating Your Game
• Actually Making Money From a Podcast
• Offering Coaching Services
• Building an Online Course
• Selling, Marketing, and Scaling Your Show

Check out my six-month mastermind program, Podcast to Profit. All the details can be found at the Stefanie Gass School.

I pray this blesses you!

Xo,

Stef

APPLE PODCAST | SPOTIFY | GOOGLE PODCAST

---

Before you go, be sure to watch the free workshop!

This free workshop is for you if you want to grow an online business in less time.

It will teach you how to explode your audience without the social media hustle, make consistent sales using a podcast, and plan, record, and launch a podcast with ease!

---

RELATED EPISODES:

3 Ways to Find Amazing Podcast Guests + 3 Interview Hacks!

How to Get 100s of 1000s of Downloads, Have a Top Ranked Podcast, And Monetize DAILY with Passive Courses!

Podcast Interviews: Everything You Need to Know on Both Sides of the Mic

---

---

Join our Facebook Community!

Online Business for Christian Women with Stefanie Gass