6 EASY TIPS ON HOW TO BE A STAR PODCAST HOST AND NOT GO CRAZY
Hosting "Let's Talk Impact" for The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative has been an incredible journey. Who knew it would reach over 40 episodes already? Each conversation dives deep into the lives and experiences of inspiring individuals, revealing a whole new dimension to their work. It's been a privilege to connect with these guests on a personal level, learning about the driving forces behind their achievements.
Partnering with a prestigious institution like The New School has been instrumental in growing my own brand. The reach and reputation of the school has opened doors to a wider audience and a fantastic pool of potential guests. It's truly a win-win situation.
Since the podcast's launch, I've been inundated with questions about how to get started in podcasting. So, to quench your curiosity, I've compiled some essential tips below. Get ready to unleash your inner podcast host!
Know Your Niche, Know Your Audience
Before diving in, solidify your podcast's core concept. What unique perspective are you bringing to the table? Who are you trying to reach? A clearly defined niche attracts a targeted audience and allows you to tailor content to their interests.
At The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative we focus a lot on the space of impact, so I decided to focus all of the conversations on that. Just because it is focused, doesn't mean that it is boring. We had wonderful conversations with amazing humans such as Lexi Lattimore where we discussed how communities can heal through dance. Picking a niche still leaves so much space for creativity and the best part is that as a host… it’s all up to you!
Planning is Power
Preparation is paramount for a smooth recording session. Brainstorm episode themes, research topics thoroughly, and craft interview questions that spark engaging conversation. Having a loose script ensures you cover key points while allowing for natural dialogue.
I love to ask every guest what they’d like to talk about (in advance) because some guests have things to promote. For example, my episode with Dr. Ramani, was recorded because we noticed she was launching a new book titled “It’s Not You“ and we wanted to help her promote the amazing work she is doing around narcissism.
Embrace the Power of Free: Zoom to the Rescue
Gone are the days of expensive recording studios. Platforms like Zoom offer a user-friendly and free solution for remote interviews. Schedule your session, send the link to your guest, and you're good to go! Pro Tip: Record locally on both ends using a free audio recording program. This ensures a high-quality backup in case of internet hiccups.
I love using zoom because everyone knows how to use it. Also, I always tell my guests that we will only be publishing the audio, so they know that they can easily show up without hair, makeup and don’t have to worry about how they look.
Gear Up for Great Audio (Without Breaking the Bank)
High-quality audio is crucial for a professional feel. Invest in a decent microphone – even a good USB mic can make a world of difference. Record in a quiet space with minimal background noise. While fancy editing software exists, many free options offer basic noise reduction and sound editing capabilities.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of your own home. When I am in New York silence is pretty easy, but when I am in Chicago visiting family I just tell them that I am recording and ask them to be super quiet for an hour. You can always build up to a fancy set up, but the most important thing is to just start.
Be Yourself, Let Your Passion Shine
Authenticity is key. Listeners connect with hosts who are passionate and relatable. Don't be afraid to inject your personality and let your enthusiasm for the topic flow through.
When I first started I had some experience doing IG Live interviews on my Instagram account, but I was still super nervous to record every time. For some reason I thought that I would freak out and forget to ask a question, sound dumb or make a fool out of myself, but all that was just in my head. We rarely had to edit any episodes.
Embrace the Edit (But Don't Overdo It)
Editing allows you to polish your recording, removing stumbles, unwanted background noise, and awkward pauses.However, resist the urge to over-edit. A little background noise or a stammer here and there adds a touch of human charm.
Don’t underestimate the power of your close friends and family. To be honest, I wouldn’t have this podcast if it wasn’t for my brother. He has been such a support for me when it comes to editing. He edits all the audio, adds the intro and is just the best to work with. We also had an intro that wasn’t super professional, so I asked my business partner Camille Jalandoni to record a little intro and it sound so professional!
Be yourself and do not hesitate to ask for help. Your crew wants you to win!
Promote, Promote, Promote!
Let the world know your podcast exists! Share it on social media, create a website, and explore online communities related to your niche.
Sometimes this can be overlooked, but don’t forget to ask the guest to promote it on their end. What has been working very well for us is that after every episode gets published I send a follow up email to the guest with some graphics that are a square as well as a “story“ size for Instagram and I send them all the handy links and everyone they should tag. Make yourself a quick check list of things you always have to do for launch, that way it becomes a habit and you won’t forget to promote.
We always publish our episodes on WERULE’s blog as well as the blog for the New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative’s blog.
