• Summary

Pre-Checks: Tech & Logistics

Have you...

• [ ] 1. confirmed a date and time with your guest?
  • Some tools that can help with this are Doodle, Calendly, and BookLikeaBoss
• [ ] 2. taken potential timezone differences into consideration?
  • Ask your guest what city they're in and use the Time and Date Meeting Planner to schedule an interview. This site is updated with daylight savings time so you never have to worry about remembering which places change and which don't.
  • Booking tools, as mentioned above, also make this much easier, converting time automatically.
• [ ] 3. given them the link to your recording platform and possibly added it to a Google Cal invite?
  • Take a look at our article on how to record a podcast remotely for some tools you can use
  • Booking tools, like Calendly and BookLikeaBoss can be used to source usernames during the booking process. You can also automatically send a recording link by editing the automated response from these tools.
• [ ] 4. talked to your guest about their recording and environment setups?
  • Set up an automated response, in your booking tool of choice, which covers ideal setups, and common pitfalls (eg. don’t use your laptop mic! Don’t record in a busy office!)
• [ ] 5. arranged or carried out a 'pre-interview'? (optional)
  • This involves getting together online with your guest to test out everything in advance of your recording time/date. Doing this at a different day and time than the interview gives your guest time to make any minor adjustments to their recording area.
  • Keep in mind that experienced interviewees might not need this, or might find it a burden.

Pre-Checks: Content

Have you ...

• [ ] 1. researched your guest?
  • Try to gather some good interesting info from their website, social media channels, and do a quick Google search.
  • Try to discover at least 1 or 2 non-work related subjects that interest them.
  • Jot down their main social channels, usernames, and the product or service they're currently promoting.
• [ ] 2. discussed with your guest what the conversation will be about?
  • Let your guest know the topics that might be discussed. This is more relevant for factual/educational interviews.
• [ ] 3. created some main questions you'd like to ask?
  • Jot down 6 or 7 key questions. Don't stick to it as a script but as possible questions that might be used to keep the conversation going. Listen to their answers and ask follow up questions. Follow up questions should take priority over your list of questions because they'll lead to more organic conversation.
  • Include a personal question that will relax your guest. Do they have children? A dog? Or a hobby that's not related to the topic of the interview. This is a great way to relax an interviewee, break into a conversational mode, and draw them away from their usual soundbites.
• [ ] 4. created a list of 'fall-back' questions?
  • If, for any reason, the interview should fall a little flat, have some other questions at hand to liven things up and change track. For some inspiration on this, check out our post on Great Podcast Interview Questions.
• [ ] 5. written the introduction?
  • Introduce the guest live, if you can. Mention their main social channels, their current project and a little background. Getting this in at the start relaxes the guest, makes you look like a pro and, again, removes some of their usual ‘soundbite’ information, making your interview more unique.

Sitting Down to Record