3 Tips to Prepare for a Podcast Interview
By Rachel Henry
Photo: Voice over artist Mary Ann Ivison hard at work behind the microphone.
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It’s no surprise that audio formats like podcasts are booming in popularity, due to their convenience and edutainment value.
In this article, we highlight 3 podcast interview tips from Ottawa voice over professional and coach, Mary Anne Ivison. Learn the three podcast interview tips you can use to prepare your number one tool, your voice, to share your message confidently. |
3 podcast interview tips to sound your best
1. Ready your voice to go on air
Preparing your voice for an interview starts with hydration. No matter what you’re recording on a microphone, you don’t want a lot of mouth noise aside from your voice. If your mouth is naturally dry, or you get nervous, it can be hard to speak clearly. Coffee is dehydrating, so avoid it right before or during an interview, and opt for water or herbal tea instead.
Don’t let your interview be the first time you speak that day. Our voices tend to be raspy when we first wake up, so give your vocal chords time to warm up. You don’t have to do voice exercises like an opera singer, but have a conversation with someone before your interview. If you don’t have anyone available at home, phone a friend or family member.
“You don’t have to sound like a professional, you just have to make sure you know what you’re talking about,” Mary Anne says. “It’s more important to sound authentic and informed, than how your voice sounds.”
2. Know your role in an audio interview
Knowing your responsibilities in a podcast interview is vital to helping you prepare your messaging and its delivery. “Your role is to be clear, knowledgeable, and honest,” Mary Anne says, noting that this is the case no matter the type of interview.
Long-form podcasts are great for storytelling and for diving deeper into subjects, but it can be easier to lose your message in a long-winded anecdote. To avoid this, know what’s absolutely essential to get across in your interview. For short interviews, the interviewer’s questions will be more pointed. Because you only have a few minutes, clear and concise messaging is important.
No matter the interview format, know who your audience is and who you’re trying to reach with your message. “There’s a fine balance of being true to yourself, while also knowing who you’re talking to,” Mary Anne says. “This takes practice.”
You’re not going to nail your first interview, it takes a lot of practice and time, even if you do a mock interview beforehand. You can build your confidence for interviews by learning how to be a conversationalist in your everyday life. Focus on natural conversations where you’re genuinely interested in the other person’s answers.
3. Know your key messages
Your key messages need to answer the 5 W’s for listeners—who, what, when, where, and why.
Be clear about who your message is for, what your call to action is, when your event is happening (mention if it’s current or a specific date), where it’s taking place (if it’s virtual/everywhere, or a specific location), and indicate what’s in it for the listener. Make sure you know the answer to these before you jump into an interview.
“You don’t need to be a robot and rehearse your answers,” Mary Anne says, “But always try to bring the conversation back to your key messaging.” You can help yourself stay on topic by keeping point form notes in front of you, but being informed and knowing your subject will help you speak more naturally and produce impactful sound bites.
Verbatim sound bites, or brief audio clips, can add dynamism to your message. Both reporters and podcast hosts are looking for a sound bite to wrap up the story in a nice little bow, Mary Anne says, so aim to answer all 5 W’s in a couple of lines.
Preparing your voice for an interview starts with hydration. No matter what you’re recording on a microphone, you don’t want a lot of mouth noise aside from your voice. If your mouth is naturally dry, or you get nervous, it can be hard to speak clearly. Coffee is dehydrating, so avoid it right before or during an interview, and opt for water or herbal tea instead.
Don’t let your interview be the first time you speak that day. Our voices tend to be raspy when we first wake up, so give your vocal chords time to warm up. You don’t have to do voice exercises like an opera singer, but have a conversation with someone before your interview. If you don’t have anyone available at home, phone a friend or family member.
“You don’t have to sound like a professional, you just have to make sure you know what you’re talking about,” Mary Anne says. “It’s more important to sound authentic and informed, than how your voice sounds.”
2. Know your role in an audio interview
Knowing your responsibilities in a podcast interview is vital to helping you prepare your messaging and its delivery. “Your role is to be clear, knowledgeable, and honest,” Mary Anne says, noting that this is the case no matter the type of interview.
Long-form podcasts are great for storytelling and for diving deeper into subjects, but it can be easier to lose your message in a long-winded anecdote. To avoid this, know what’s absolutely essential to get across in your interview. For short interviews, the interviewer’s questions will be more pointed. Because you only have a few minutes, clear and concise messaging is important.
No matter the interview format, know who your audience is and who you’re trying to reach with your message. “There’s a fine balance of being true to yourself, while also knowing who you’re talking to,” Mary Anne says. “This takes practice.”
You’re not going to nail your first interview, it takes a lot of practice and time, even if you do a mock interview beforehand. You can build your confidence for interviews by learning how to be a conversationalist in your everyday life. Focus on natural conversations where you’re genuinely interested in the other person’s answers.
3. Know your key messages
Your key messages need to answer the 5 W’s for listeners—who, what, when, where, and why.
Be clear about who your message is for, what your call to action is, when your event is happening (mention if it’s current or a specific date), where it’s taking place (if it’s virtual/everywhere, or a specific location), and indicate what’s in it for the listener. Make sure you know the answer to these before you jump into an interview.
“You don’t need to be a robot and rehearse your answers,” Mary Anne says, “But always try to bring the conversation back to your key messaging.” You can help yourself stay on topic by keeping point form notes in front of you, but being informed and knowing your subject will help you speak more naturally and produce impactful sound bites.
Verbatim sound bites, or brief audio clips, can add dynamism to your message. Both reporters and podcast hosts are looking for a sound bite to wrap up the story in a nice little bow, Mary Anne says, so aim to answer all 5 W’s in a couple of lines.
Your podcast interview guide
“Two of the big things I learned from radio and media was marketing myself, and how to create a brand,” Mary Anne says. Don’t wait until an opportunity arises to practice. Put our podcast interview tips to the test.
Preparing for a podcast interview doesn’t have to be a headache! As a boutique storytelling studio, Perch can help you strategically convey your message while creating soundbites the media will be eager to share.
Preparing for a podcast interview doesn’t have to be a headache! As a boutique storytelling studio, Perch can help you strategically convey your message while creating soundbites the media will be eager to share.
