Learn six ways to make your podcast guests feel more welcome, involved, and valued on your show. Improve your podcast guest outreach and create a loyal audience.

To help guests feel like they're part of a big conversation, start by sharing the podcast's theme and topic details in advance. When chatting, listen actively and engage with their insights, asking open-ended questions that encourage them to share more. Make them feel appreciated by acknowledging their expertise and including their stories or experiences in the discussion. It's great to reference common interests to build rapport and create a friendly atmosphere. Also, include listener questions during the conversation and follow up afterward to express gratitude. These simple steps help guests feel valued and engaged in a welcoming, broader conversation.

Last updated on Feb 28, 2024

What are some ways to make your podcast guests feel like they are part of a larger conversation?

Podcasting is a great way to share your ideas, insights, and stories with a wide audience. But it can also be a lonely endeavor, especially if you are the only host or the main voice of your show. That's why inviting guests to join your podcast can be a rewarding and engaging experience for both you and your listeners. However, not all guests are equally comfortable or confident in speaking on a podcast, and some may need more guidance or encouragement than others to feel like they are part of a larger conversation. In this article, we will explore some ways to make your podcast guests feel more welcome, involved, and valued on your show.

1 Prepare your guests

One of the most important steps to make your podcast guests feel like they are part of a larger conversation is to prepare them well before the recording. This means communicating clearly and frequently with them about the purpose, format, and expectations of your podcast, as well as the topics, questions, and stories you want to cover with them. You can also send them some examples of previous episodes, especially ones that feature guests, so they can get a sense of your style, tone, and audience. Additionally, you can ask them if they have any questions, concerns, or preferences about the podcast, and address them accordingly. By preparing your guests, you can help them feel more confident, comfortable, and ready to participate in your podcast.

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Sarra Messili

CEO at Podcast Inc | Host of The Entrepreneurial Age | I Help You Use a Podcast to Grow Your Business Sales and Marketing | Monetization Planner
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To help guests feel like they're part of a big conversation, start by sharing the podcast's theme and topic details in advance. When chatting, listen actively and engage with their insights, asking open-ended questions that encourage them to share more. Make them feel appreciated by acknowledging their expertise and including their stories or experiences in the discussion. It's great to reference common interests to build rapport and create a friendly atmosphere. Also, include listener questions during the conversation and follow up afterward to express gratitude. These simple steps help guests feel valued and engaged in a welcoming, broader conversation.

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Shikha Pandey

Clutter To Clarity | I help professionals gain clarity, redefine success and build mental toughness to grow and get unstuck in life, in just 12 weeks.
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Another way to make the guests feel that they are part of a larger conversation is to quote a popular quote or ideology and seek their views on it. Or talk about an ongoing trend in their field and ask their views on it. And with that itself you make the conversation something that is related to a larger ongoing conversation beyond the realms of just your podcast and it also makes it more mass.

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2 Introduce your guests

Another way to make your podcast guests feel like they are part of a larger conversation is to introduce them properly at the beginning of the episode. This means giving them a warm and enthusiastic welcome, highlighting their background, expertise, or achievements, and explaining why they are relevant or interesting for your podcast. You can also mention how you met them, what you admire about them, or what you learned from them, to create a personal connection and rapport. By introducing your guests, you can help them feel more appreciated, respected, and valued on your podcast.

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Eve Minggong

Podcast Strategist & Launch Specialist | Helps podcast shows strategically launch their show and organically grow their listeners and subscribers.
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Yes, connecting personally prior to the episode builds rapport and makes the conversation fun and light. Getting their assets like bio, headshots and their socials are a plus too!

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3 Involve your guests

A third way to make your podcast guests feel like they are part of a larger conversation is to involve them actively and authentically throughout the episode. This means asking them open-ended, relevant, and engaging questions that allow them to share their opinions, insights, or stories, and listening attentively and respectfully to their answers. You can also comment on their responses, acknowledge their points, or ask follow-up questions, to show that you are interested and curious about what they have to say. Moreover, you can invite them to ask you questions, share their feedback, or offer their suggestions, to create a dialogue and a collaboration. By involving your guests, you can help them feel more heard, seen, and connected on your podcast.

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Parker Olson

#1 voice on using AI in Public Relations 🤖
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Yup - I love it when hosts let me ask them questsions back and instead of a one-way conversation, it really feels like a two-way convo where we are both sharing our opinions.

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4 Appreciate your guests

A fourth way to make your podcast guests feel like they are part of a larger conversation is to appreciate them sincerely and generously at the end of the episode. This means thanking them for their time, contribution, and wisdom, and highlighting the main takeaways or learnings from their interview. You can also compliment them on their performance, personality, or passion, and express how much you enjoyed or benefited from talking to them. Furthermore, you can ask them to share their contact information, social media, or projects, and encourage your listeners to follow them, support them, or reach out to them. By appreciating your guests, you can help them feel more recognized, acknowledged, and valued on your podcast.

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Eve Minggong

Podcast Strategist & Launch Specialist | Helps podcast shows strategically launch their show and organically grow their listeners and subscribers.
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Yup, making sure to add their socials and where audiences can connect to them in the shownotes is a must. Also, podcast swaps are cool too.

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5 Follow up with your guests

A fifth way to make your podcast guests feel like they are part of a larger conversation is to follow up with them after the recording. This means sending them a thank you note, a feedback request, or a preview of the episode, and asking them if they have any questions, comments, or suggestions. You can also share with them the release date, the link, and the promotion strategy of the episode, and ask them to help you spread the word about it. Additionally, you can keep in touch with them, update them on the results or reactions of the episode, or invite them to future collaborations or events. By following up with your guests, you can help them feel more supported, appreciated, and involved on your podcast.

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6 Experiment with your guests

A sixth way to make your podcast guests feel like they are part of a larger conversation is to experiment with different formats, styles, and techniques with them. This means trying new things, such as co-hosting, panel discussions, live shows, Q&A sessions, or games, that can add variety, fun, and excitement to your podcast. You can also experiment with different ways of recording, editing, or distributing your podcast, such as using video, transcripts, or social media, that can enhance the quality, accessibility, or reach of your podcast. By experimenting with your guests, you can help them feel more creative, adventurous, and engaged on your podcast.

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Alexis Cierra Vaughn

Global Award-Winning Insurance Expert | Insurance & Tech Professor | InsurTech Consultant, Advisor | Educator | Agency Growth Guru | Distribution 👑 |Interim Executive| Speaker | EMCEE | Podcast Host |InsurTech Atlanta
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You could try to create a theme for each season if you want to make sure it's inclusive to a specific group of SME's each season. You could alsk ask one specific question for this in your trailer to promote each new episode. At Off Course Media we walk our clients through the entire process of building an effective podcast from beginning to end.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are some ways to make your podcast guests feel like they are part of a larger conversation?

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1 Prepare your guests

2 Introduce your guests

3 Involve your guests

4 Appreciate your guests

5 Follow up with your guests

6 Experiment with your guests

7 Here’s what else to consider

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