The podcast plays an important role in the world of information: it not only allows the audience to benefit from the host's knowledge, but also from the expertise of prominent personalities and the valuable experiences shared by ordinary people.

Podcasts that include interviews generally achieve great success: the exchange of opinions and the ability to develop a topic thoroughly add value to the content, stimulating the audience's curiosity.

And it's proven that a successful interview can increase engagement by 40%!

In fact, an interview requires a bit more than just asking some questions and receiving the answers.

There's much more to consider, and this type of format, where content is not centered around the host, requires a lot of preparation and a great deal of empathy.

In this article, I'll explain not only how to conduct interviews in podcasts but also how to structure them.

Additionally, we'll show you how to best manage guests at every stage of production.

What are the different formats of interviews in podcasts?

When we talk about interviews, we have several options:

Podcast with a single interviewee: This is the simplest format, as the face-to-face interaction between the host and the guest allows for better communication and the creation of a more relaxed environment. If the guest is introduced to the topics beforehand, the conversation flows smoothly and without interruptions. When conducting the interview, you must be able to keep the audience's attention throughout the episode.

Podcast with multiple participants: This format allows for greater comparison between the parties, even when the participants are on the same line regarding the topic discussed. However, actively managing this type of conversation, giving everyone adequate space, might represent a challenge, especially for a beginner host.

Podcast with a mediator: In this type of interview, the guests are pitted against each other, while the host simply acts as a mediator. The host thus limits themselves to directing the conversation through questions, but without actively intervening during the dialogue. This format requires the ability to maintain the flow of the interview along the desired lines without having full control of the actual conversation. And of course, an equal amount of time must be given to each participant.

In-studio interviews: Collaborating with a guest present in the studio allows for establishing a stronger bond by communicating not only verbally but also through body language, enhancing the interaction with the person in front of you. This format also allows for better management of everything technical.

Interviews with off-studio participants: The remote interview allows for comparing people who are physically in different places, and consequently, a greater availability of people to interview. However, care for the technical part becomes crucial as it depends on unstable factors such as internet connection and lower audio quality. Moreover, it's necessary to ensure maximum synergy between the host and the guest, which is more difficult to create than in the presence of the interviewee.

Anyone who chooses to have guests on their podcast will eventually face all these challenges. Better then to prepare carefully to manage each case best.

How to Invite a Host for Your Podcast Interview

If you're a budding podcaster, or an experienced host but still new to conducting interviews, it's better to follow some guidelines that will allow you to contact potential guests successfully.

Choose the right guest: The ideal guest must have a story to tell, but must also be able to narrate it compellingly and interact with you naturally during the narration. Therefore, make sure that the chosen character has the fluency necessary to handle an in-studio interview and develop the questions sufficiently. Moreover, he or she must be able to remain calm if the conversation takes an unusual turn, for example, if a question is not particularly appreciated. Better not to find yourself with a guest who leaves the studio screaming in a fit of rage because your questions are not 100% aligned with his or her worldview.

Do research: Before contacting the guest, do research on the interviewee's background. Knowing who they are, in which field they are experts, what are their interests and their political vision... Watch other interviews they have participated in so you can better manage the guest when it's your turn to lead the discussion. All this will be useful to create a bond with the interviewee both before and during the actual interview.

Seek direct contact: If possible, contact the guest directly. Email is the most effective means: it offers all the necessary space to explain who you are, what you do, and why you are seeking this opportunity. If possible, bypass agents or agencies: they might not give your podcast the importance it deserves. If the email doesn't get through, try social media. It might be harder to get the message across, but better not leave anything to chance.

Be clear in conveying the message: when you contact the future guest, explain clearly:

• Who you are

• What your podcast generally talks about

• If the interview will be live or recorded

• If it is in-studio or remote

• If there are other participants

• Why you chose them

• What specific topic do you intend to address

• If it's a narrative interview, a debate or a Q&A with the audience

• Tools that will be needed for the interview

• Duration of the episode

• What is the benefit that will follow participation in your program

I'm not talking about money, but about added value: when a guest participates in a podcast, his engagement also gains, if the follow-up to the interview is handled correctly. But we'll talk about this later!

Ask for availability confirmation: communicate any date on which you would like to conduct the interview, or ask the guest when they would be available.  In this way, you will  be able to prepare adequately and well in advance, as will he.

How to Prepare for an Interview on Your Podcast

Now that the guest has accepted your invitation, you must ensure that the pre-production phase is meticulously planned in every detail.

1. Prepare the interview: Start with a simple outline, listing the topics you want to cover, creating smooth content that can flow throughout the duration of your episode. This will also serve to prepare the guest before the interview.

2. Formulate the right questions: Once the outline is finished, it's time to formulate the actual questions. Study this step carefully because you will need to follow a precise order, allowing the guest to be natural throughout the process and without straying too far.

3. Plan open-ended questions that allow for an in-depth development of the topic. Questions that are satisfied with a simple Yes or No are not what the audience expects from an interview.

4. Include personal notes about the guest, their profession, and their experience.

5. Structure questions that can follow an organic flow regardless of the guest's responses, so you are not caught unprepared.

6. Plan follow-up questions for the main topics: if the participant has elaborated completely, you won't need them, but you never know!

7. Estimate the indicative duration of each response: If you intend to develop a topic that requires many questions and answers, but you have a limited time to maintain the dialogue, you will need to quantify a time limit for each response. To do this, create a detailed show notes indicating the estimated time for each point to be addressed, any bonus minutes, and which questions you might skip if the time limit is not respected. In short, if time is a crucial factor, think as during a political debate, where each candidate has two minutes to respond. Define every detail, intro, outro, placement of advertisements: the script is your most valuable ally, so spend some time on it.

8. Ensure the proper formulation of the intro and outro: The intro, or the opening of your podcast, is an essential segment of the broadcast. It allows you to introduce the guests, briefly explain the theme of the podcast, and prepare the audience to keep their interest alive. The same applies to the outro, or the closing, during which you must use the remaining time to close the episode properly. Don't forget that in addition to the farewells, you will probably have to include a possible call to sponsors and a call-to-action.

9. Check the functionality of the podcast tools: Make sure that everything concerning sound and image works correctly. Finding yourself with the guest in the studio and microphones that do not work would definitely not be ideal, both for this episode and for your reputation as a host. Also, remember to silence your phone and isolate the room you record in if it is not a proper studio.

10. Make the studio comfortable: Your guests are dedicating their time to you, and you want them to feel at ease in the recording space. Take care of every little detail: make sure they are seated comfortably, keep some beverages available, and create a relaxed and well-lit environment that predisposes to dialogue.

11. Provide the guest with the schedule of topics covered: There are hosts who prefer to make the questions available to the guest so they can prepare before the interview. However, when this happens, the interview might seem overly rehearsed, leaving little room for spontaneity. Also, if the guest expects to develop only to discuss specific questions, it could be difficult to personalize the interview during its development. Therefore, leave some room for improvisation, allowing your visitor to prepare while still remaining genuine. Also, be sure to inform the participant about everything concerning the temporal development of the interview.

12. 

How to conduct the interview

And now we move on to the live phase: the actual interview. This is obviously the most delicate moment, as you will have to pass the ball to your visitor, and you will no longer have full control of the situation.

1. Put the guest at ease: This is essential for the successful outcome of a podcast. Find time to chat before starting the recording, showing your visitor that you know what you are doing, that you have created a safe environment for them, and that you are genuinely interested in listening to them.

2. Define the tone of the podcast: While a friendly and joking tone is always appreciated during the opening to communicate good vibes, your guest will need to know which mood you will establish later. If your podcast deals with serious topics, and that is the tone within which you will maintain the conversation, warn them in advance. Find and establish the right balance between informal conversation that puts everyone at ease and the development of the content exactly as you wish it to be.

3. Introduce the guest: Introducing the guest correctly is essential for a good start: you might not have much time, but you will need to communicate to the audience who is present with you in the studio, information about their background, their industry experiences, and the reason why they were invited. At this moment, you are anticipating to the audience that you are about to create valuable content, so briefly summarize the topics discussed.

4. Start asking questions: Even if you have the list in front of you, remember to ask the questions in the right way. Summarizing:

   • Open-ended questions: nothing that anticipates monosyllabic responses.

   • Clarifying questions, to better explain the topic (e.g., "What did you mean by... How did you feel when... Can you explain better... Can you exactly illustrate... Can you specify how...")

   • Follow-up questions ("You mentioned a project... can you tell us more?")

   • Hypothetical questions ("If you could change something about your past, what would it be?")

   • Personal questions, with due tact and avoiding making the guest uncomfortable or embarrassed.

   • Contextual questions ("What have been the factors that led to the system's collapse?")

   • Closing questions ("What would you like to advise those who are following us?")

5. Focus on the guest: never forget that your visitor is the star of the episode, and that it is on them that you want to focus the audience's attention. This is not the time to talk about yourself, nor to express your opinions exhaustively.

6. Listen attentively, and encourage them to continue with nods, smiles, and maintaining eye contact. Avoid doing so verbally (for example, "aha, right, okay, sure..."—such sounds might be acceptable in a conversation, but in an interview, they could be disruptive).

7. Intervene at the right moment: While the spotlight should remain on the guest, you will occasionally need to intervene, either to request clarification or simply to steer the guest back on track when they stray too far in their responses. Time is limited, and staying on topic as much as possible is crucial.

8. Know when to lighten the mood: Listeners should always sense that there is mutual respect between you and your guest and that you are on good terms. Regardless of the topic, find the right moment for a brief exchange of jokes, as you would with friends. If you sense that tension is building, find a way to lighten the mood.

9. Conclude the episode by promoting the guest: The outro should be brief, but you must always ensure that the guest takes something away in return for their presence. Don't redo the entire presentation, but remind your audience who they are, where to find them (social media, podcast, blog, etc.), and how to support them. Mutual exchange is crucial for increasing your podcast's engagement because if you work in favor of the guest, they will do the same for you.

Post-Interview Steps for Podcast Hosts

Here we are at the last stage. Last, but not to be overlooked, especially regarding the relationship with the guests:

1. Thank properly: If you have the time, especially if they are in the studio, thank the guests and ask how they felt, if everything went as expected, and if they enjoyed your hosting style. This will help you improve if necessary.

2. Keep guests informed: It's important to communicate to guests what to expect after the interview. What are the necessary times for editing, when will you share the content... If you don't have time to do it in person, send an email or make a phone call. In addition to demonstrating gratitude, following up on the actual interview allows you to appear professional. Your guest will be happy to collaborate with you again when the opportunity arises. Remember that post-production must be fast and smooth, so if time is short, consider using a specific software with integrated AI features, like PodcastAI, which will help with all the editing phase and will allow you to save time for creating subsequent content.

3. Mention the guest in the content shared on social media, newsletter and blog posts that you will follow up on the interview, or even in subsequent ones. The podcast is an on-demand multimedia content, and there are followers who might evaluate viewing even old content, if the guest or the theme are of their interest.

With this, we have developed all the fundamental points for the creation, production, and follow-up of a podcast interview. Now you are ready to receive your guests and give your content a winning imprint.