Tips and Best Practices for Interviewing Experts on Your Podcast

As a budding podcast host, one of the most exciting parts of your job is getting the chance to interview experts in your field. These experienced professionals can provide your audience with valuable insights, new perspectives, and engaging stories that keep them coming back for more. But interviewing experts is no easy task and requires a certain level of understanding and preparation. Don’t worry, though – we’ve got you covered. Here are some tips and best practices to help you nail your next expert interview.

1. Do Your Research

Before you sit down with your expert, be sure to do your homework. Research their background, their accomplishments, and their areas of expertise. This information will not only help you formulate questions but also demonstrate your interest and respect for their work.

2. Prepare Thoughtful and Insightful Questions

Questions are the backbone of any interview, and the questions you ask can make or break your interview with an expert. Your questions should be thoughtful and insightful, aiming to elicit information that your audience can’t find anywhere else. Remember that your expert has likely answered these questions before, so be creative and try to approach your interview from a unique angle.

3. Be a Good Listener

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when interviewing an expert is to talk over them or interrupt them. Instead, be a good listener. Allow them to finish their thoughts before responding, and if you’re not sure what they mean, ask for clarification. Showing a genuine interest in what they have to say will make your expert feel heard and respected, and may even lead to more insightful answers.

4. Keep it Conversational

It’s important to remember that your expert is a human being, not just a source of information. Keeping your interview conversational and personable will allow your expert to relax and feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and experiences. Plus, a friendly chat can lead to moments of humor, emotion, and unexpected insights that make for a truly engaging podcast episode.

5. Edit with Care

Finally, remember that your expert interview doesn’t end with the recording. It’s up to you to edit and package the interview in a way that is engaging and informative for your audience. Be sure to edit out any unnecessary content or tangents that don’t add value to the conversation. But above all, be respectful of your expert’s words and make sure that any edits you make don’t change the meaning or intent of their message.

In Conclusion

Interviewing experts can be a challenging but rewarding experience for any podcast host. By doing your research, preparing thoughtful questions, being a good listener, keeping it conversational, and editing with care, you can create an engaging and informative podcast episode that your audience will love. So, get out there and start booking those experts – the podcasting world is waiting!