Practice Makes Podcast Perfect

One of the most important steps in your podcasting journey is buying your mic. You can do all the research, prep, and planning you want, but your podcast won’t start to feel real until you have that mic. My personal favorite microphone is the ATR2100x-USB mic. It’s by far the best bang for your buck, has quality similar to mics 3-4x its cost, works directly into your laptop (via USB cable) or into a recorder or mixer (via XLR cable), and is recommended and used by the best of the best, including Tim Ferriss and Pat Flynn.

Once you have your mic, the fun begins! You’ll be tempted to start interviewing people for your podcast right away. But hooooooold your horses. This is the moment that makes the difference between average podcasters and exceptional podcasters. Take some time to practice using your mic. I’m talking recording a bunch of test episodes – anywhere from 3 minutes to half an hour long.

After you’ve recorded each test episode, listen back to it. Yes, you will cringe. Yes, you hate the sound of your own voice. Yes, you really are that awkward (kidding! Except on my part). But something beautiful happens the more and more you practice recording: you become more comfortable. And being comfortable is everything when it comes to speaking into your podcast mic.

The Dreaded Announcer Voice

Now, there’s one big thing you’ll want to avoid when recording into your mic: what I call the “Announcer Voice.” You know when you’re watching a major sporting event, and the announcer yells, “HOLY COW, TOM, WHAT A GAME WE HAVE HERE!” There’s a certain tone and inflection that naturally makes sense for sportscasters and newscasters. As a podcaster, you’ll be tempted to take this same approach – you are projecting something into the world, after all. But you want to avoid this at all costs.

Podcast listeners relate best to your natural voice. Think about it – do you want to hear your favorite podcasters talk in forced, fake, overexcited voices all the time? Do what you can to be your natural self on the mic. Keep the conversational tone, and relax on that baby. The more you practice with this in mind, the more you’ll be yourself on the mic.

Practice Proper Mic Technique

There are a few other things to keep in mind as you practice recording into your mic, and they relate back to proper mic technique. These do vary a little depending on which mic you go with, so make sure to test and fine-tune:

• Follow the 4-Finger Rule: Speak about 4 fingers width away from the mic, if you’re holding your hand up flat between your mouth and your mic. This ensures your mic picks up your natural voice without it sounding like you’re across the room.
• Speak a little “past” the mic or to its side, not directly into it. Mics pick up the sound around them – the sound doesn’t need to be shoved down their throat.
• Use a pop filter, shock mount, and boom stand to properly hold your mic. The pop filter (windscreen) cuts out popping noises and clicking sounds, the shock mount isolates the mic from other noise, and the boom stand is an adjustable arm that can suspend the mic in midair from the side of your desk.

Practice Using Your Mic

Like anything in life, the more you practice using your mic, the better and more comfortable you’ll be. Practicing recording is all about getting comfortable on the mic, getting back to your natural voice (not the “Announcer Voice”), and fine-tuning your mic technique. It all starts with buying that microphone, and it might only take 3-5 short test episodes before you’re feeling comfortable and confident enough to start recording your podcast for real. Practice before you podcast, and take these mic fundamentals to heart.

If you’re excited to launch your podcast and would like some help with the more time-consuming parts of podcasting, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll also appreciate my blog post on “How Do You Become a Better Podcast Interviewer?” and the wild tips from entrepreneurs in any of the 130+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on.

10 Ways to Become a Better Podcast Interviewer

1. Prepare by listening to your guest on other podcasts

There are endless ways to research your guest before the interview, including their website, social media pages, and podcast (if they have one). In my experience, by far the best method is to listen to your upcoming guest on other podcasts. In every single interview you listen to, you learn something a little different about your guest, which helps spark questions and discussion topics for your interview. It also gives you a sneak peek at your guest’s personality, tone, and sense of humor. It always helps to research your guest online, but the best way to get a true understanding of your guest is to check out their previous podcast appearances.

2. Write down your bulleted outline before the interview

I always have a notepad in front of me for podcast interviews. And I always write down my bulleted outline at least 10-15 minutes before the interview. The best bits of podcast conversation come about naturally, but it’s suuuuper helpful to have your bulleted outline in front of you. That way, you know what other topics you need to cover before your guest has to hop off. I’m not talking a full script in front of you – I’m talking 5 bullet points down the page, with a few blank likes in between them to leave room for notes during the interview. Doing so with enough time before the interview starts gives you the peace of mind and confidence needed to deliver an outstanding interview.

3. Break the ice before the interview with a dad joke

Okay, it’s always a little awkward when you connect with your podcast guest for the first (or second) time. One of your jobs as podcast host is to break the ice ASAP. That could mean a dad joke, a compliment based on something cool you saw your guest just did, or a random thing you have in common. I’ve found laughs always get your guest in gear best, so let any bit of corniness and goofiness you have shine. What better way to pregame an interview than with laughing, smiling faces?! Break the ice and have some fun before you even hit record.

4. Kick off the interview with an original question

If you listen to a lot of different business podcasts, you’ll know there’s some sort of unwritten rule to start out each episode by asking the guest about their story. Screw that. Asking generally about your guest’s “story” has happened on every other podcast they’ve been on, welcomes an answer that goes on longer than needed, and might already be known by your podcast listeners. Find something surprising, curious, or unexpected about your guest, and start off the interview with a question they’re not expecting. It also serves as another icebreaker (ice-icebreaker?), and your listeners will thank you for the ear candy right out of the gate. Start that interview with a Dang!

5. Shut up and listen, listen, listen

This sounds harsh. But I was once told, “You know why you’re a good interviewer? You know when to shut up.” That doesn’t mean people don’t like to hear your voice. It means, people keep listening to your interview podcast for the entertaining and helpful guests you keep bringing on – not just because of the way you talk and ask questions. Keep the guest the star of your show, no matter what. And while you are being quiet (okay, that’s less harsh), keep your focus on listening. Any way you slice it, the interviews that flow best are due to the host identifying when to probe and when to move on. Pay attention to the words coming out of your guest’s mouth and what they mean.

6. Take brief notes during the interview

Remember that notepad? That thing is a lifesaver for your podcast interview. Take brief notes throughout the interview. And when I say brief, I mean 1-2 words Max (get it) at a time. For example, in this interview I did with Christoph Trappe, he asked me about the importance of listening while interviewing guests. I wrote down the word “Listening” once he brought it up, and was able to give a thorough answer since the note served as a brief reminder. The same thing applies when you’re the podcast host and your guest is talking. Notes on your notepad are the Post-Its or Meeting Reminders of the podcast world. Write it down and free your mind.

7. Ask questions your audience would love to ask

This one is more of a muscle you can strengthen over time. If your guest is giving an answer, and they say something that creates instant fireworks in your head of the “Ooooh” and “Hmmmm” variety, ask that question next! You’ll develop a strong sense over time of the golden time to probe. Ask yourself quickly, did that answer go deep enough? Or is there more, more, more to unpack here? When you ask a question your audience is actively wondering about, you’re sure to bring a smile to their face. And you may just win that listener for life.

8. Bring up a short personal story only when it adds to the interview

Again, your guest is the star of the show. Now, that doesn’t mean you can only ask questions and shut up/be quiet. Oftentimes, your guest will say something that triggers a memory of something from your lifetime. Think quick – If I share this anecdote, does it add anything? Humor, context, education? If not, and you’re going to end up talking for 3 minutes on “OMG saaaaaaaaame,” skip the personal story this time. Stories about yourself can put the icing on your interview cake, but too much icing isn’t good for anyone. Bring up personal stories only when it feels necessary.

9. Recognize when it’s time to move to a new topic

There’s a lot of talk about probing when it comes to interviews. I’m guilty of it in this post. The flipside of probing – sometimes more important – is recognizing when it’s time to move on. If there are 3 main topics you want to discuss with your guest, and you only have 30 minutes for the interview, you miiiiiight be in a bit of trouble if you’re still on Topic #1 at the 29-minute mark. Peek at the clock every 5-10 minutes so you can manage the topics and segments you’d like in the show. Additionally, look out for those moments when you find yourself getting bored discussing something with your guest. If you’re getting bored, your listener is likely getting bored, and it’s time to switch gears a little bit. There’s no shame in moving the conversation along.

10. Listen to your final interviews

How do you become a better interviewer after the interview? Listen to the final product. Yes, it can be painful, but there’s no better coaching than soaking up your own podcast episodes and critiquing your technique. This time, as an actual listener, keep an ear or two out for things you did well and things you can do better next time. Did you keep your guest the star of the show? Did you probe at the right times? Were there several things you were left wondering, or scratching your head as a listener? Give yourself some constructive criticism. Yourself will thank you(rself). Take some time to be your own podcast listener.

A Better Podcast Interview Makes for a Better Podcast

That’s how you become a better podcast interviewer. Rock the prep, make smart decisions throughout the actual interview, and genuinely listen back after it’s final. Use brief notes as your anchor, know when to probe and when to move on, and always keep the guest the star of the show. There are small tweaks at every touchpoint that can add up to a masterpiece of an interview. If you find yourself lagging in any of these areas, make it a priority to improve on that aspect in your next interview. It’s incredibly rewarding to look back 20, 50, 100 podcast interviews ago and realize how much you’ve grown as an interviewer. Make your podcast the best it can be by becoming a better podcast interviewer.

If you’d like help with podcast production so you can focus your podcasting energy on bigger and better interviews, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll also appreciate my blog post on “How Do You Launch a Podcast in Less Than 10 Days?” and any of the 130+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on.

Why should you interview guests for your podcast?

Going with an interview format for your podcast can benefit you in a number of ways:

It’s incredible from a networking standpoint.

Podcasting is easily the best networking tool I’ve ever experienced. Let’s say your podcast features you interviewing a new guest every week. That’s a new, relevant contact every week that’s now in your network – and you got off on a strong foot with them. Or, it’s someone already in your network who you just had a fantastic time with and took your business relationship to the next level. Interview podcasting gives you the means to reach out to experts in your industry you otherwise couldn’t imagine reaching out to, and makes it possible to grow your network every single week.

It’s easier to record each episode.

This comes down to personal preference, but for me, it is wayyyyyyyy easier to record an hour-long podcast with a guest than it is to even record a 1-minute intro and outro by myself. There’s something about having a guest be the star of your show that allows you to focus on active listening and guide the conversation, rather than being forced to come up with all the content yourself. You can treat each episode like a conversation.

It’s more fun.

What’s more fun than having fascinating conversations with some of the coolest people you’ve ever heard of, all around the world? Interview podcasting opens more doors than you could imagine and opens the door to a whole world of awesome people telling awesome stories. It’s a blast. There’s a one-of-a-kind glow that comes after wrapping up an exhilarating interview with someone you’ve always dreamed of talking to – and knowing your listeners will love it.

Why should you host a solo podcast?

If you don’t want to go the interview route for your podcast, you can certainly have a successful podcast in the solo format. Here are the benefits of a solo podcast:

You can establish yourself as an expert in your field.

Imagine your listeners are listening to you – just you – for a bit of time every week, or even multiple times a week. Whatever you’re podcasting about, you establish yourself as more and more of an expert in your industry with each episode. Having a solo podcast keeps the spotlight on you and your message all the time, as opposed to a guest being the main attraction of your episode.

You can record whenever you want, for as long as you want.

Ahhhh, what a relaxing thought. Being able to record on your own time, not having to worry about anyone else. It’s just you, your notes, and your mic. Plus, you don’t have to worry about a guest having to jump off for their next meeting. Record as long as you want, and mess up as much as you want, because hey – why not?!

You can have a different theme for each episode.

If you have an interview podcast, you can certainly tweak your segments and overall style over time. But a solo podcast gives you complete freedom to change things up whenever you’d like. You could do an episode that’s a deep dive on a topic close to your heart, followed by an episode that shares lessons from a personal story you have, followed by an episode where you celebrate a client milestone. Solo podcasts give you the opportunity to switch it up and keep it interesting for yourself and your listeners.

Is interviewing guests or hosting a solo podcast right for me?

A good argument could be made for interviewing guests or running a solo podcast. What’s right for you? It depends on your goals and what you and your listeners would enjoy most. Think through why you’re starting the podcast in the first place. Now, which of these formats best lends itself to achieving those goals? And would you enjoy running your podcast that way, or is it something you’ll dread over time? If you see serious value in both formats, you could even do a combination: alternate solo episodes and interview episodes. This give you the perks of each option, and may just be the variety that’s perfect for you and your podcast listeners.

If you have any questions on podcasting or podcast production, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you enjoyed this post, you’ll also appreciate my blog post on “Why Do You Need to Edit Your Podcast?” and any of the 100+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on.

I’m all for video content, and there’s no question it’s the most engaging form of content. And there’s a lot of upside to recording your podcast on video. But when it comes to podcasting, the vast majority of your listeners are likely going to be listening only. Whether your podcast is audio-only or includes video, here’s how to keep your focus on the audio.

How do I optimize my podcast for audio?

Here’s how to keep your podcast audio-first, even if you’re using video:

• Maintain good mic technique
  • Follow the 4 Finger Rule as much as you can: keep your mouth ~4 fingers length away from your microphone, if you’re holding your hand and fingers up vertically (test this, as it does vary by mic). If you’re recording your podcast on video, this means positioning your mic close enough where you can speak at this distance without jumping off screen.
  • Speak a little to the side of the mic, or “past” the mic, as opposed to right down the center of the mic. This sounds a bit better.
• Wear headphones
  • Nobody wants to hear echo from their favorite podcast host when their guest is talking. And vice versa. Wearing headphones is your best defense for echo. Just make sure you don’t keep your ears super close to the mic as your guest is talking, as your mic could even pick up some of the sound through your headphones.
  • Most headphones work for podcasting. If you already have AirPods, they’re perfect.
• Avoid making visual references
  • If you start commenting on your guest’s shirt, or what you’re seeing in the background, or starting to draw something out on a whiteboard you’re referencing, you’ll immediately become irrelevant to those who are listening to your podcast. You might even piss them off. Avoid making references like this as much as you can. They’re not needed in your final podcast episode.
  • If you absolutely need to diagram something out, be over-the-top articulate so your listeners can clearly visualize what you’re doing and immediately understand it. On that note, don’t bother sketching out something complex.
• If you’re not doing anything with the podcast video, record with audio-only
  • You can record a podcast interview over Zoom with video off. This allows you to:
    • Avoid the distraction of video and eliminate visual references.
    • Likely be much more comfortable, along with your guest.
    • Use muuuuch less bandwidth, which improves the sound quality.
    • Wear whatever you want, look wherever you want, take as many ferocious notes as you’d like, and make goofy faces at your screen if you want.
  • You can still take behind-the-scenes interview pics (see below), or even record a few-minute teaser clip to help promote the episode on social media.

So, how do you keep your podcast focused on audio?

Audio is what makes podcasting unique, and it’s incredibly important to prioritize your podcast audio, even if you’re recording using video. To keep your podcast audio-first, remember to maintain proper mic technique, wear headphones, and avoid making visual references. And if you’re not planning to do anything with your podcast video, record as audio-only for a better experience and final product.

If you have any questions on podcasting or podcast production, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you enjoyed this post, or it made you say “Hmmmm,” you’ll also appreciate my blog post on “How Do You Record a Podcast Interview Using Zoom?” and any of the 100+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on!

• Account Setup
• Scheduling
• Pre-Interview
• Recording
• Saving

Account Setup: How do you set up Zoom to record podcast interviews?

The first thing you’ll want to do is sign up here. It’s free, and the free account allows you to interview another person at an unlimited time length (though you’ll probably want to wrap up the interview at some point). In most cases, this is all you’ll need. This free account lets you interview 2 or more other parties at the same time as well, but there’s a 40-minute time limit at which the meeting will end. If you’re often interviewing multiple parties or interviewing someone along with a co-host in a separate location, you may want to upgrade to a Zoom Pro account with unlimited group meetings for $149.90/year.

Once your account is set up, there’s a key setting you’ll want to check right away. Under “Settings,” then “Recording,” make sure you’re set up for Local Recording – not Cloud Recording. Local Recording allows you to record your interviews using separate audio tracks, which helps out when it comes to editing and bodes for a much cleaner final episode. Think about it – if a loud truck drives by your home when your guest is talking, don’t you want to be able to edit out that loud truck for the sake of your listeners?

Scheduling: How do you schedule podcast interviews in Zoom?

There are a few different ways to schedule meetings aka podcast interviews in Zoom. The most efficient way is to use a scheduling tool, so your guest can pick the best time that works for them. My favorite scheduler is Calendly, which is free for 14 days and then $8/month for a Premium account. Calendly allows you to integrate your Zoom account, making it easy for your guest to schedule a Zoom interview with you directly in the scheduler.

Another way is to schedule a meeting directly on the Zoom website. If you’re signed in, click “Schedule a Meeting” in the upper right to do so. Once the meeting is scheduled, make sure to add it to your preferred calendar and share it with your guest, along with the password.

Finally, if you’re in a pinch, you can start a Zoom meeting whenever you want when logged in to Zoom. Click “Host a Meeting” in the upper right, with Video Off or Video On. Once you’re in and ready, you can share the meeting invite link with your guest over email. This requires your guest being ready to watch out for your email when it’s go time. To do this, hit “Participants” once you’re in your Zoom meeting, then “Invite” in the side panel that opens up.

Pre-Interview: What do you do Pre-Interview in Zoom?

Once you join your scheduled meeting, there are a few things you’ll want to knock out before you hit record. First, test your speaker and microphone. Zoom gives you a great reminder to do this before you even officially start your meeting, and you can select the options available to make sure your headphones and microphone are connected the way they should be. It’s best practice to have your desired headphones and microphone plugged in, turned on, and ready to go before you even join your Zoom meeting. If all sounds good, hit “Join with Computer Audio.”

Once your guest is on and you can hear each other, there are a few settings you’ll want to check in “Audio Settings” by clicking the little arrow next to the “Mute” mic icon in the lower left, then going to “Audio Settings”:

1. Under “Microphone,” uncheck the “Automatically adjust volume” box. It sounds funny, but Zoom overcompensates with this feature and if turned on it will literally make you sound funny. Make sure your guest does this, too.
2. When you’re still in Settings, click “Recording” on the left panel and make sure this box is checked: “Choose a location for recorded files when the meeting ends.”
3. Right below that, make sure this box is checked as well, as mentioned above: “Record a separate audio file for each participant who speaks.”

Those are the only settings you really need to check in your Zoom meeting before you hit record. You’ll also want to rock your short and sweet pre-interview chat overall. This means a quick icebreaker with your guest (try to make them laugh), making sure your headphones and mics are correct, confirming how much time they have, silencing your phones and closing other windows and email, and bringing up anything specific you need their input on or want to call out about the interview before you get started. This is also a great time to take a quick behind-the-scenes pic if you’d like (you can flip video on and off). Most importantly, ask the guest how to pronounce their full name if you’re not sure.

Recording: How do you record a podcast interview using Zoom?

Now for the fun part: hit that “Record” button! For the sake of your time and frustration, please make sure you do this. You’d be surprised how many podcasters have horror stories of that unbelievable, life-changing interview-that-never-was thanks to never hitting Record. You and your guest will know you’re recording if you see the blinking red dot that says “Recording…” in the upper left.

Then, do your thing! Put on your podcast host hat (figuratively, or maybe not), rock the interview, ask thought-provoking questions, let your guest be the hero, and have fun. And remember, you can always edit out any major slip-ups after you’re done, so keep it casual and fun. Once you’re done with the interview, hit “Stop Recording” in the lower right, which might be under “More” depending on the size of your window.

Saving: How do you save a podcast interview in Zoom?

You’re done with your interview! Phew, what a rush! Now let’s make sure that baby gets saved properly. Extend your thank yous and give your guest a ballpark idea of when the final podcast episode will be released. Then, hit “End” in the lower right, “End Meeting for All,” and wait for the meeting to convert. Have found this is also an excellent time to take a minute for that much-needed bathroom stop. Finally, create a folder where you want your interview files to go, and BAM! You just successfully recorded and saved a podcast interview using Zoom. Your separate audio tracks will be in the “Audio Record” subfolder within the folder you just created.

Summary: How do you record a podcast interview using Zoom?

That’s it! I hope you found this guide helpful for recording a podcast interview using Zoom. It’s an awesome tool, and pretty intuitive once you get the hang of it. Remember to set up your account, schedule your interview, rock your pre-interview chat, record the interview, and save it where you want it to go. Keep your files organized, stay efficient where you can, and always have fun.

If you have any questions on Zoom podcast interviews, podcasting, or podcast production, you can always reach me at max@maxpodcasting.com. If you found this post helpful, you’ll also enjoy “The Top 10 Things I Learned in My First 100 Podcast Episodes” and any of the 100+ episodes of the Wild Business Growth Podcast. Thank you for your time. Pod on!