Become a great podcast host...
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐭 In today’s digital age, podcasting has become a powerful platform for storytelling, thought leadership, and building meaningful connections. But what sets a great interview podcast host apart from the rest? After learning from industry experts and honing my own craft, I’ve identified several core principles that are essential for success: 1. Deep Preparation: ↳ Research: Know your guest's background, work, and current projects. Understand their expertise, challenges, and unique viewpoints. ↳ Prepare Questions: Craft insightful and open-ended questions that encourage storytelling and deeper conversation. ↳ Anticipate Flow: Think about the direction of the conversation and how you can pivot if needed. Have a plan, but remain flexible. 2. Active Listening: ↳ Be Present: Fully focus on your guest's answers without thinking about your next question. ↳ Follow-Up: Be ready to dive deeper based on their responses. Great follow-up questions often lead to the most valuable insights. ↳ Silence: Don’t rush to fill pauses. Sometimes a moment of silence encourages guests to continue with more depth. 3. Authenticity and Empathy ↳ Be Genuine: Share your own thoughts and experiences when relevant. This builds rapport and trust with your guest. ↳ Show Empathy: Understand and validate your guest's experiences, especially when discussing challenges or personal stories. 4. Creating a Comfortable Environment: ↳ Set the Tone: Start with light, easy questions to help your guest relax. ↳ Establish Trust: Make sure your guest knows you’re interested in their story and not just looking for a soundbite. ↳ Body Language and Tone: Even in audio-only formats, your tone and pacing can set a comfortable and engaging atmosphere. 5. Adaptability: ↳ Go Off-Script: Be willing to deviate from your prepared questions if the conversation takes an unexpected but valuable turn. ↳ Handle Technical Issues Gracefully: Be prepared for and adept at managing any technical difficulties without losing momentum.