Finding Good Podcast Guest
Author: Audreyonna Sequale
The one question most podcasters have, besides how to get started, is how to find good guests. In my opinion, a guest can make or break an episode. You have to make sure that the person you invite to your podcast will have good chemistry with the host(s) and can add value to the conversation. For my podcast, Strong Friend Check In, finding great guests is especially important because I don’t have a cohost. If I can’t find the right guest or if one falls through, it could mean a solo show (which I don’t prefer to do). These few tips help me to vet potential guests and find the perfect addition to my episodes.
Invite someone with specific expertise
If you want to give your episode validity the best way is to find a guest who offers a certain expertise.
For example, my podcast is centered on mental health and how it affects our relationships, careers, and daily lives. Most of my episodes feature creatives and entrepreneurs who are comfortable sharing their mental health journeys, but some episodes call for a professional.
Whenever I have a heavier topic in mind, I search my personal network for a mental health professional to come to my show. Since I’m connected to psychologists, counselors, and life coaches, I bring them on to provide accuracy and knowledge to a conversation that's slightly out of my scope. It benefits them because they’re able to speak to a broader audience and it helps me because the topic becomes truth-based rather than just opinions.
Find guests who are reliable
The absolute hardest part of podcasting is finding guests who won’t flake on you. To ensure that doesn't happen, try to work with people who you know are reliable and respectful of other's time. Unfortunately, things happen and guests can fall through so make sure you have a backup plan.
Podcasting is a lesson in flexibility so in the event a guest can't make the recording or just doesn't show up, be prepared to have a backup subject in mind that you can talk about alone or with your cohost.
By the way, if you’ve searched high and low and still can’t find a guest who meets your needs, try podcastguests.com. This site lets you search through experts, authors, and other podcasters who are looking to be guests on a variety of pods!
Ask a friend
Some people might not think it's a good idea to invite friends to be guests on their podcast but I think it's perfect.
The best thing about having friends for guests is that there's already built-in chemistry. The conversation tends to flow easily because of familiarity and that's what's entertaining to listeners.
In my experience, friends have been some of the best and most reliable guests because they support my show and they're very happy to be on the mic.
Finding guests can be hard, but knowing how to select the right ones make the process just a little easier. Vetting your guests through a little research, finding someone with an interesting perspective, plus a good outline can prepare you and your guest to create an episode with ease. Happy podcasting!