11 tips on getting the most out of being a guest on a business podcast
More and more of us are turning to podcasts to take in our knowledge, inspiration and entertainment - which isn’t always easy if you’re a visual-based business like I am!
But it wasn’t always like that - I’d see the whole non-visual thing as a real challenge and use it as a reason not to take part, so if you’d love to be a guest on more podcasts or you’re thinking of starting a podcast for business, or your side hustle then read on.
In today’s blog, I share my experiences of being a guest on podcasts and give some ideas on how you can prepare so your episode is strong, clear and full of the messages YOU want to share. And if you do have a podcast in the pipeline, and you’d like me to be a guest - I’d be thrilled!
Click on the button below to get in touch.
Podcasts I’ve been honoured to be part of
If you’d like to check out some of the podcast episodes I’ve been a part of, here’s a small selection to get started with.
Perfection is a killer with Lindi Van Heerden and Christine Skaar
Conversations with changemakers from around the world: Jodie Grinwald and Christine Skaar
The world is bigger than your service-based business: Vince Warnock and Christine Skaar.
Being a guest on a podcast: great for confidence, creativity - and growing your audience
I absolutely love being on podcasts. I think it’s an enjoyable way to meet new people and engage with a different audience. I also love working through the puzzle of weaving my stories and experiences into business conversations in a whole new way.
I’ve enjoyed some incredible conversations with changemakers, marketing and business experts and thought leaders about my experiences. Many of my business-owning peers and clients are also getting invites to be on podcasts and have asked for my advice.
I must talk about my podcast experiences more than I realised!😅
I’m delighted to share some of my thoughts here.
Your story doesn’t have to be linked to the exact ‘thing’ you do.
As you know, on paper, I’m an architect, interior designer, educator and founder of KVIST Boutique.
And, of course, I am invited on to podcasts to talk about practical, problem-solving topics around renovation interior design.
But I’ve also had great conversations where I’ve shared my experiences of real-life issues.
Often they’re consistent themes, such as juggling my workload with my family’s needs; launching a whole new part of my business (KVIST Boutique) in the middle of a global pandemic, balancing my workload with client’s expectations, and so many other things I'm super passionate about.
It took me a while to recognise that my story - and the things that make me interesting as a human being - aren’t just in the services I offer and the skills I’ve worked at honing. You’re a person; listeners want to hear real-life stories and feel connected somehow. And connection comes from the stories and experiences you share.
Create a natural conversation with the podcast host
I know, I know. ‘Just act natural’ is advice that often makes people act anything but natural! I’m sorry for stating the obvious - here’s what I mean.
In my experience (you might be completely different), when I write a whole list of things, I want to share. When I pre-plan what I’ll say and try to create a persona for the podcast that isn’t my persona - it never works out in my favour.
Instead - I focus on the chemistry I have with the podcast host. If you don’t know the host or are unsure how the conversation will flow, ask to have a pre-recording conversation. Any podcast host who wants to create a great episode will be SO up for this, so it’s not a big ask on your part.
Making sure that you've got good chemistry with a podcast host is really important, and I’ve always had at least 15 minutes to 1-hour chats in advance to make sure we get on and bash a few ideas out.
If you’re nervous, tell the host and ask for tips on loosening up. Maybe the podcast host can share some of the questions in advance. There are many ways you can work together to keep conversation flowing and the sparks flying.
See beyond the ‘marketing opportunity’
I learned a long time ago to stop seeing podcasts as a marketing opportunity. Talk about putting so much pressure on yourself!
It would be great if sales or inquiries came from podcast listeners, but it’s not my main reason for being part of the conversation. Really, I'm there just to be myself and have a chat.
I believe that if you can help someone - you should. So I focus on sharing my knowledge and expertise to inspire someone to try something new or help them out with a problem.
Another aspect I really love is making new connections. Not just with the podcast host but also with their listeners and audience. Honestly, that's been one of the best outcomes of the podcasts I've been on so far - meeting up with the hosts in real life, getting to know them, and learning from them.
Have fun with it
It’s natural to be nervous - but remember. You’re not going to be grilled or interrogated. The host doesn’t want to make a fool of you or prove you as the ultimate imposter in your field of expertise.
The host wants to learn from your experiences and wants you to share your knowledge with their community. So try to enjoy the moment. It’s a real compliment to be a guest on a podcast.
You deserve it!
How to pitch yourself as a podcast guest
Okay - we can’t all open our inboxes to lots of fabulous podcast invitations every day. Sometimes we have to take the bull by the horns and get in front of podcast hosts with some ideas.
So when you’re pitching yourself as a guest, here are a few things that have helped me find the confidence to do it (not always with mixed results, but hey - it’s a learning experience, right?!)
Create a list of at least ten podcasts you’d like to be part of. Work your way through them one by one.
Research the podcasts in detail - including the social pages of the hosts, so you can talk genuinely about why you’d like to be on the show and why you’re a good fit.
Share your story - link it to the themes of the podcast and give a clear, easy to understand reason for why you’d like to be a guest.
Avoid being salesy or promotional - a good host will hear ‘I want to sell ten new products’ and think - you’re probably not there to build a relationship with the host or their listeners.
Think of less obvious ways you’re a good fit for the podcast - it doesn’t have to be your exact area of expertise, as I mentioned earlier. For example, I’ve talked about starting a business and being part of a branding discussion. I’m not ‘the expert’ on these aspects, but I do have experience learning how to build and grow both.
I love theseEcho cabinet pulls by Turnstyle Designs from TBKS
And one final thing…
You’re not offering yourself to the podcast creator because you think you are the ultimate expert. It’s an opportunity for the host’s community to learn about a topic from your experience. Imposter syndrome has no place here when sharing your experience.
It’s a compliment to be part of someone’s podcast - you deserve it!
Take the airwaves
So there you have it, all of my knowledge and insight on being on podcasts! I hope you’ve found a few great takeaways from today’s blog - if you have, then please get in touch and let me know. And of course, if you’d like to include me as a guest, I’m always super excited to be part of the conversation. You can get in touch with me at christine.skaar@kvistdesign.co.uk
Wow - you made it all the way to here!
Thank you for reading, and cheers to that! Hopefully you found this helpful.
If you did, please share on social media and shout about my blog and resources to anyone you know in need of a bit of support (or just cheering up whilst the building dust flurries around them - I get it!).
Image credits: Juja Han, Brooke Cagle, Kate Oseen, Austin Distel, Medy Siregar - all from Unsplash.