Feeling a little nervous about an upcoming podcast interview?

If it’s a new experience for you, podcasting may seem daunting. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up from being a talk radio host as well as a podcast interviewee. They’ll enable you to deliver a successful, engaging, and non-cringeworthy experience.

ANTICIPATE THE QUESTIONS. Listen to prior podcasts by the host so you can anticipate what you’ll likely be asked. The podcaster might even send you a list of typical questions. If they don’t offer to do that, ask! They’re not your adversary–they want you to do well and will support you however they can. On a recent podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/191-chris-posti-author-of-falling-apart-falling-for-you/id1536482074?i=1000614497522 – I typed up then read my answer to the first question. I don’t think it sounds like I read it, do you?

REHEARSE OUT LOUD. By practicing your comments out loud, you’ll do a masterful job when you are on the air. If you only practice in your head, you will regret it. Gotta trust me on this one.

START OFF STRONG. Listeners are prone to tune you out if those initial comments are unappealing, so it’s vital to do well at the start. If you know the interviewer’s opening question, write down your answer so you can read it (with inflection, please!). Once you’ve gotten over the “first question” hurdle, you’ll be able to relax, and the rest of the interview will go great.

TIME WILL GO FAST. Much faster than you think. So write down the key points you want to make and work to incorporate every one of them in your comments.

KNOW THE AUDIENCE. Tailor your comments to meet their expectations. After all, it’s really all about them, not you. What are they expecting to hear? What do they need to learn? Answer those kinds of questions and they’ll hang on for the whole podcast.

TELL A STORY OR TWO. Don’t allow yourself to run off on tangents, but if you have a brief anecdote (especially if it’s funny!) or a snappy one-liner you know will make a point, you’re more likely to retain your listeners.

SMILE as you talk. Yes, it really comes across even when listeners can’t see you.

ARTICULATE. Before going on the air, stretch your lips and jaw by saying the alphabet out loud. This will help you enunciate better.

DON’T INTERRUPT. Wait your turn. Don’t talk over the host. They don’t like that and neither does the audience.

BE YOURSELF. As the saying goes, there’s only one of you. Your uniqueness may not appeal to every single listener, but by being your true self, you’ll hold onto more listeners than if you try to be someone you are not.

PROMOTE THE PODCAST. Post it on social media and on your website. Do I even have to say that?

THANK THE PODCASTER. Let the podcaster know you’re promoting the podcast. They’ll appreciate it — and maybe ask you back again.

ONE MORE THING! If you did happen to say anything cringeworthy (or inaccurate or inappropriate), ask the podcaster to edit that part out. They’ll probably do it without your asking, but you’ll sleep better knowing for sure your goof(s) will be erased.