In podcasting, interviews play a crucial role in engaging audiences and creating meaningful connections. As a podcaster, it's essential to understand the intricacies of conducting successful interviews to keep your listeners hooked and your content valuable. In this episode, we will look into the five common mistakes podcasters often make during interviews and how to avoid them.

Focusing the Episode on the Person Over the Topic

One common mistake podcasters make during interviews is focusing too much on the guest's profile rather than the topic of discussion. While highlighting the guest's background is important, it's crucial to ensure that the conversation revolves around the main subject matter. Listeners tune in to learn about the topics you’re highlighting, so keeping the discussion relevant and engaging is key to retaining their interest and long-term commitment to the show’s consumption.

Reading the Bio Verbatim

Another pitfall to avoid is reading the guest's bio verbatim. When hosts stick strictly to reading a pre-written bio, it can come off as uninteresting and disconnected from the conversation - especially if it’s a page long! Instead, personalize the introduction by highlighting key points that are relevant to both the guest and the audience - consider thinking about 3 key elements that the audience will find relevant about the guest and incorporate the rest throughout the interview. This not only adds value but also keeps the flow of the interview natural and engaging.

Inviting Guests Without Alignment on the Topic of the show

Inviting guests on the show without considering their alignment with the core topic can lead to disjointed conversations and disengaged listeners. It's essential to ensure that every guest brings value to the discussion and aligns with the overall theme of your podcast. By focusing on topic relevance, you can maintain consistency and cater to your audience's interests - even though it may be tempting to accept a guest just because someone has a big audience or will give you the internet klout that you think you need!

Talking Over Guests and One-Upping

One common mistake during interviews is talking over guests or constantly trying to one-up their contributions. It's essential to strike a balance between engaging with the guest's insights and adding value to the conversation without overshadowing their input. By actively listening and allowing the guest to shine, you can create a more harmonious and impactful interview experience, plus remove the need to spend hours removing ‘hm-hm’, ‘right’, or ‘totally’ from the interviews.

Planning everything but how to close the show

The outro of a podcast episode is often overlooked but plays a crucial role in closing the show professionally and leaving a lasting impression on listeners. Avoid messy outros by planning ahead, and ensuring that all necessary information, such as guest contact details or relevant links, is smoothly integrated. A well-crafted outro not only adds polish to your episode but also enhances the overall listener experience. As my friend and podcast producer Simona Costantini of Volt Productions, says ‘have a strong closing statement to anchor you’.

Conclusion:

Mastering the art of podcast interviews requires thoughtful planning, active listening, and a keen focus on delivering valuable content to your audience.

By steering clear of common pitfalls like focusing on the person over the topic, reading bios verbatim, inviting guests without alignment, talking over guests, and neglecting the outro, you can elevate your interview skills and create compelling and engaging content. Incorporate these valuable insights into your podcasting journey to conduct memorable and impactful interviews that resonate with your listeners. Embrace the art of interviewing as a powerful tool for connecting with your audience, expanding your reach, and delivering exceptional content that leaves a lasting impression. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks to enhance your podcasting experience and create a thriving podcast community.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 Introduction to Podcast Interview Mistakes

• 00:38 The Voice Behind the Advice

• 00:44 Recap of Previous Insights and Transition to New Mistakes

• 02:25 Mistake #1: Focusing on the Person Over the Topic

• 04:40 Mistake #2: Reading the Bio Verbatim

• 07:48 Mistake #3: Misaligned Guest Invitations

• 09:59 Mistake #4: Talking Over Guests

• 15:29 Mistake #5: The Outro Disaster

• 20:17 Recap and Solutions for Avoiding Common Mistakes

• 21:42 Closing Thoughts and Invitation to Connect

  Episodes referenced in the show:

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Feeling stuck about your podcast’s growth? Do you have no idea where to start and want to partner up with a pro? Start here: https://thepodcastspace.com/services

• Maximize Your Podcast Content Instant Access Course - www.thepodcastspace.com/course

• Yesenia Bocanegra’s website: https://www.focusandbloomstudios.com/focusandbloom

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