Conducting interviews in podcasts has become a very common technique for increasing content quality and attracting more listeners, but to achieve this, proper preparation is necessary. By following a structure, questions, and key phases in previously prepared interviews, you’ll increase the chances of success with them.

The PFP method: To make the best interview for your Podcast

To get a good interview, it’s important to follow some of the keys that will help you achieve your goals, learn the 5 keys to successful interviewing:

• Determine objectives: clearly define what you want to achieve with the interview.
• Investigate and meet the guest: learn how to find guests who add value to your podcast, do some prior research on who you are, what you do, and what you can contribute to your program.
• Plan content and questions: define the main topics you’ll cover in the interview, and prepare a list of questions so you don’t miss any important details.
• Negotiate the interview context: establish with the guest the context in which the interview will be conducted, whether face-to-face or virtual, whether recorded on video or audio only, among other aspects.
• Structure the interview: choose the interview model you will follow, whether structured, semi-structured, or unstructured.
• Apply the “PFP” method: The PFP method is a strategy for achieving long-term goals and objectives that are widely used in interviews to achieve a sustainable and successful podcast.

The “PFP” method refers to a strategy for achieving long-term goals and objectives, this technique focuses on Persistence, Focus, and Preparation, and can be applied to any type of goal, whether personal or professional:

• Persistence: refers to the ability to keep working towards the goal despite obstacles and difficulties. Perseverance implies commitment, determination, and motivation to overcome challenges and stay on track toward the goal.
• Focus: means maintaining attention and concentration on the long-term goal and avoiding distractions or activities that do not contribute to achieving the objective. The approach also involves the ability to prioritize tasks and establish a plan of action to achieve the goal.
• Preparation: refers to the planning and organization required to achieve the objective. This includes identifying the necessary resources, creating a detailed action plan, and assessing potential obstacles or challenges that may arise along the way.

The different structure models of a Podcast Interview

There are three types of structured model that can be followed in an interview podcast: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured. The structured model is the most rigid and follows a series of predetermined questions, while the unstructured model allows the conversation to flow freely. Choosing the perfect structure for your programs can help you get the first 100 listeners for your podcast.

Structured model

In the structured model of a podcast interview, you have all the questions you want to ask, previously asked, and it rigorously follows the structure that has been proposed from the outset.

Semi-structured model

When we do a podcast interview, with the semi-structured model, we’ve left a series of topics ready before the interview that we want to talk about, and these are raised during the conversation.

Unstructured model

With an unstructured model of a podcast interview, we simply have a free-flowing conversation, without having already asked the questions, but the whole interview revolves around a specific topic or person. As it’s an interview in which we’re going to improvise “the questions, as the discussion progresses it becomes very difficult to know how to calculate how long it’s going to last. This makes it not the best option when interviewing.

Phases of a podcast interview

Keep in mind that if you can’t physically match the interviewee, you need to learn how to record quality remote podcast, ensuring that the quality of your program is not influenced by the presence or absence of the interviewee, will help you create a powerful image and brand that grows over time. To conduct a successful interview, it’s necessary to follow certain key phases that guarantee the podcast’s success, learn the key phases for conducting a podcast interview:

Phase 1: Pre-interview preparation

Before conducting the interview, it’s essential to do a good preparation, for this we need to research the guest and plan all the content to be covered during the recording. This includes preparing the questions that will be asked, but also investigating and learning about the guest’s interests, career, and experience in the subject to be discussed.

Phase 2: Introduction at the start of the podcast

The first moment of a podcast consists of introducing the topic to be discussed and some initial concepts. In addition, elements such as a curtain, a characteristic greeting, or the introduction of members to the audience can be included. This will help create an appropriate environment for the interview.

Phase 3: Conducting the interview

During the interview, it’s important to maintain an open and responsive attitude to the guest’s responses, letting him or her speak and asking further questions if necessary. It’s also important to use the recorder properly and check that it’s working properly before starting the interview.

Phase 4: Editing and post-production

Once the interview has been completed, appropriate audio editing is required to eliminate noise and improve quality. In addition, elements such as music or sound effects can be added to make the content more interesting.

Phase 5: Promoting the podcast

To reach as many listeners as possible, this can include creating a website, publishing on social media, collaborating with other podcasters, or promoting on podcasting platforms.

Sample questions for a Podcast interview

You probably already know what the central theme of your program will be, but do you know what questions to ask your guests? We’ll tell you a few sample podcast interview questions to help you create interesting and engaging content.

General questions

Here are some questions you can ask any guest, whatever the subject matter of your podcast:

• Who are you and what do you do?
  This question serves as an introduction to your guest and helps listeners get to know him better.
• How did you get involved in your specialty/theme work?
  This question can lead to interesting conversations about the guest’s career or experience.
• What is your greatest professional/personal achievement?
  A great way to meet someone is to ask about their achievements and challenges.
• How would you like to be remembered?
  This question can give a more personal view of the guest and lead to thoughtful conversations.

Subject-specific questions

Now that you’ve broken the ice with a few general questions, it’s time to dig deeper into the specific topic that covers your podcast. Check out some sample questions for different topics:

Entrepreneurship

• What led you to become an entrepreneur?
• What has been your greatest challenge in entrepreneurship?
• How do you deal with failure in your business?
• How do you differentiate yourself from your competitors?

Health and well-being

• What is your philosophy on health and well-being?
• How do you motivate people to take care of their health?
• What has been your greatest personal challenge in terms of health and well-being?
• What are your tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

Travel and adventure

• What has been your favorite destination and why?
• How has travel influenced your personal/professional life?
• What has been your most terrifying travel experience?
• What has traveling taught you about life?

Culture and society

• How would you describe your culture/nation?
• What is the biggest social problem facing your community?
• How can you help improve your community?
• What is your opinion on cultural diversity?

Platforms for scheduling interviews with Podcast

If you’re a podcaster, you probably know how difficult it can be to coordinate agendas with your guests to schedule an interview. Thankfully, there are platforms that can help you schedule podcast interviews efficiently.

The platforms to schedule podcast interviews allow you to schedule interviews efficiently, reducing the time you spend trying to coordinate agendas with your guests. Write down the main platforms to schedule podcast interviews and choose the one that best suits your case.

There are many platform options for scheduling podcast interviews. Each has its own characteristics, although all will help you simplify your interview scheduling process for your podcast. Here are some of the most popular platforms:

1. Calendly

Calendly is one of the most popular options for scheduling podcast interviews, allowing you to create a personalized scheduling link that you can share with your guests. Your guests can choose a date and time of their convenience and Calendly will automatically schedule it on your calendar, it can also be integrated with video calling tools such as Zoom and Google Meet.

2. Google Calendar

Google Calendar is a free scheduling tool you can use to coordinate agendas with your guests, you can send invitations by e-mail and your guests can accept or decline the invitation. You can also set automatic reminders to make sure they’re all on the same page.

3. Anchor

Anchor is a podcast hosting platform that also lets you schedule interviews. You can send a personalized link to your guests to choose a date and time for the interview. Anchor will also provide you with a virtual recording room so you can record the interview directly on the platform.

4. Zoom

Zoom is one of the most popular video call tools, and can also be used to schedule Podcast interviews, you can send a personalized link to your guests to join the video call, and also you can record the interview directly in Zoom.