Mastering the Art of Podcast Guest Prescreening: Essential Questions to Ask

What is your area of expertise?

Every guest you invite to your podcast should have a specific area of expertise that aligns with your podcast's theme. This question will help you understand whether the potential guest's knowledge and experience will be valuable to your audience.

Why are you interested in appearing on our podcast?

Understanding why a potential guest is interested in your podcast can help you gauge their enthusiasm and commitment. Their reasons can range from promoting their brand to simply wanting to share their knowledge with a wider audience.

Can you provide a brief synopsis of the topic you wish to discuss?

This question will give you an overview of what the potential guest plans to discuss. It can also help you prepare for the interview and design relevant questions for the guest.

What unique perspective or insights can you bring to our audience?

Having a guest that can provide a unique perspective or insights can greatly enrich your podcast. It can also provide your audience with fresh ideas and stimulate interesting discussions.

Have you appeared on podcasts or other media outlets before?

Knowing whether the potential guest has previous media experience can help you understand how comfortable they are in a recording situation. It can also give you an idea of their speaking style and how they present themselves on air.

Do you have any speaking engagements, books, or other promotional materials that you would like to mention during the podcast?

This question can help you understand the guest's promotional needs. It also allows you to plan how to incorporate these elements into your podcast without disrupting the flow of conversation.

Can you provide references or samples of previous media appearances?

References or samples of previous media appearances can give you a better idea of how the potential guest performs in a media setting. It can also help you determine if their style aligns with your podcast.

Are you comfortable with the format of our podcast?

Knowing whether the potential guest is comfortable with your podcast's format can ensure a smooth recording process. It can also save you time in explaining the format and structure of your podcast.

What is your preferred method of communication before and after the podcast?

This question can help you understand the guest's communication preferences, ensuring a smoother coordination process before and after the podcast recording.

Do you have any special technical requirements for recording?

This question can help you prepare for any special technical needs the guest might have for recording. This could range from specific microphone types to certain software for remote recording.

What is your availability for recording?

Understanding the guest's availability can help you schedule the recording session at a convenient time for both parties.

Do you have any questions or concerns about the podcast or the recording process?

This question can help address any uncertainties the guest may have about the podcast or the recording process.

Can you share some potential talking points for our podcast episode?

Asking for potential talking points can help you prepare a more structured and engaging conversation for your podcast episode.

Are there any specific questions you would like us to ask during the podcast?

This question can help the guest feel more comfortable and prepared for the interview, as they can anticipate some of the questions that will be asked.

Do you have a quiet, suitable location to record the podcast from?

Since the quality of the recording is vital, knowing if the guest has a quiet, suitable location for recording can help prevent any unforeseen audio issues.

Do you have any restrictions on the topics or questions asked during the podcast?

Understanding any potential limitations the guest may have on certain topics or questions can help maintain a respectful and comfortable environment during the podcast recording.

Do you have any potential conflicts of interest to disclose?

This question can help you avoid any potential conflicts of interest that could affect the objectivity or integrity of the podcast.

Are you comfortable with our promotional activities for the podcast episode?

Knowing whether the potential guest is comfortable with your promotional activities can help you plan your marketing efforts accordingly.

Who is the target audience for your message?

Understanding who the guest's target audience is can help you tailor the conversation in a way that will engage and resonate with your listeners.

Do you have any specific expectations from our podcast?

Asking about the guest's expectations can help you ensure that both parties are on the same page and that the guest's appearance on your podcast will be mutually beneficial.