First, as a podcaster, I’d like to say that I’ve all the respect in the world for those conducting interviews.
However, I’d like to state, that when you who are conducting interviews for your podcasts don’t do your homework concerning those you’re going to interview you do them and you a disservice
What do I mean?
First, when you don’t do your homework concerning those you’re going to interview, you make yourself appear unprepared. In other words, because you’ve not checked out the person you’re scheduled to interview, you have no idea what they’re going to talk about. There-fore, you’ve no idea what questions to ask.
I’ve listened to podcasts where the host is not prepared for the podcast and it is very disconcerting to say the least.
What’s worse, is that is I’ve been on the receiving end of those who didn’t read up on my information, beforehand, it made for an uncomfortable interview.
I’ve spoken with people who have been involved in the unprepared end of the interview process and they too found it an uncomfortable experience.
As a person who hosts their own podcast, I can honestly state that I research each guest who is to appear on my podcast, and I feel to do otherwise is disrespectful to the guest.
I feel as a host, that I’ve a responsibility to make certain that I do the necessary work which will make certain that I’ve all the correct information to do an interview which will speak to the complete person who I am hosting.
To me, to do otherwise is horribly incorrect, and shows a lack of effort and interest on my part as a host.
If you’re going to go to the trouble of hosting a podcast, it is my belief that you must know the person you’re interviewing. It is my professional opinion that you must know the person you’re hosting.
Otherwise it speaks to how disrespectful you are to them and to your listeners.
If you wish to be interviewed by someone who will give you the respect you deserve, please email: patty.volunteer1
Lynda McKinney Lambert
September 17, 2020Patty, this post gives valuable information for Podcast hosts and those of us who are guests on a podcast. The main point is to be informed and prepared in advance to avoid disasters when doing a live interview.
I am not a podcast host, yet, I recognize the value of the genre. Therefore, I can’t imagine the ground-work that you do before recording your podcasts. I’ve been listening to your podcasts that you have put on your website, and I admire the way you honor your guests by being prepared. You bring the best possible attributes of each person you speak with on the air. Your guests are relaxed, and it is clear they are enjoying this experience with you.
It is soon apparent that guests came prepared and professionally took the interview.
When asked to be a guest, we must be sure to put our ducks in a row well before the actual live interview. We need to have the facts we might need written down to refer to them during the interview. Dates and details need to be ready in case we are asked for this information.
Patty, when you asked to feature me on a podcast, I told you exactly what I hoped could work for us during that hour. What I wanted to get across that was vital for me to present. I asked you how we could do this together. We talked ahead of time, and I created an outline for you that gave you information or facts. In turn, you spoke with me about my thoughts, and we planned together how we could do this to make it the best interview possible for our audience. I see the podcast as creative teamwork between interviewers and guests – and you do that very well.
I have been on the other side of this as well. I’ve done some podcasts where I immediately felt lost at sea.
In just a few moments, you can realize this person knows next to nothing about you or what you do and is not guiding you through a positive and educational interview. It’s a horrible feeling, and you are thankful when at last, it comes to an end. After a couple such experiences, I decided that I would never again take for granted that the podcast interviewer had good intentions for bringing out the best possible conversation with me. We all have to learn to do our own research before committing to do a podcast.
I have learned to take control ahead of time and clearly state what I expect for this interview. I won’t do a talk unless I have set some goals with the host in advance. We both need to know where we will be going together in the presentation. We learn through the painful disappointments we have – and we know to be in charge and not trust that things will go well when there were no prior planning conversations together. Be alert and ask lots of questions before committing to doing a live interview – that is my best advice.
I have the utmost respect and admiration for those who do this sort of work that is demanding and public in scope. Those podcasts live on-line for years after they officially ended. That is the stark reality of it – you have so much to think about.
As an artist and author, I’ve done quite a few interviews for newspapers, television, internet blogs, or podcasts – over my career of forty years doing public speaking, art exhibitions, organizing and hosting exhibits, and meeting the public during some of my book promotional projects.
I agree with you. It’s disappointing to be interviewed by a person who has done no research and is not prepared to discuss your work intelligently by being prepared ahead of time. How would you like to be asked questions outside of your expertise? How about when a host is clearly hostile to the guest? When a host becomes quick-tempered and demands that the guest respond to a question which makes no sense and that you feel uncomfortable? Imagine what your interview could feel like if you were the guest and who thought you were there to discuss something positive and enriching for the audience. Instead, you can become a victim of another person’s plan. This is why you need to do your homework, listen to the podcasts they have done for others, and think about what you expect yours to be like. If you have any clues, it might not be what you expect, do not agree to be the guest.
Patty L. Fletcher
September 17, 2020Hello Lynda.
Thank you for your thoughtful comments here.
When I wrote this post, I had our conversation on this subject in mind. I was also inspired by a conversation I had with a podcast host who was arrogant, and non-receptive to my thoughts. I have since deleted them from my podcast feed, and no longer subscribe to their blog. I also find it rather disturbing when examples of things you describe here happen. When podcast hosts behave in the disrespectful manner you describe, it gives those of us who strive to make podcasting a good experience for all a bad name.
As you state, I spend a lot of time in the planning stages of the podcast I’m going to do with a guest.
I want to have a good idea of who they are, what they do and what they hope to gain from the interview.
Patty L. Fletcher
Self-Published Author and Social Media Promotional Assistant
Email: patty.volunteer1@gmail.com
Website: http://www.campbellsworld.wordpress.com/ .
Food For Thought
We all are the Light, automatically. So we really don’t have to go too much further than that. We all have a Light within us – it is the Soul; it is that spark of God, of the Divine, that activates our consciousness.
-John-Roger, DSS
Source: New Day Herald website