Total AE Podcasters:
0
Click to See The Report
Want 5 quick ways to improve as a podcast host or guest?
Why and How Cultivating Relationships with Podcast Hosts Can Benefit You as a Guest
Table of Contents
How are you doing in podcasting as a guest, host, or both?
In this post, Katie Brinkley shares the benefits of podcast guests maintaining relationships with podcast hosts after the initial interview is over. From building professional connections and gaining new insights to fostering a sense of community and personal growth, continuing relationships with podcast hosts can have a positive impact on both personal and professional endeavors. Get ready to learn tips and strategies for building and maintaining stronger relationships from podcasting!
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION:
WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION:
SEND IT ANYWHERE:
Read the Blog Post: Why and How Cultivating Relationships with Podcast Hosts Can Benefit You as a Guest
I have come to learn that the true value of being a podcast guest goes beyond the interview itself. It’s about building lasting relationships that can lead to exciting new collaborations, opportunities, and a supportive community.
Related: How to Get Booked On More Podcasts
Let me share a personal story with you. It was a cold February day, and I was in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, admiring the snowfall while browsing Clubhouse. I stumbled upon a podcasting connection room where someone announced they were looking for guests for their show.
Without hesitation, I expressed my interest in being a guest on their podcast. After exchanging a few messages, we set up a Zoom call. The person’s name was Kendra, and she was an experienced podcaster with over 100 episodes under her belt.
I was just starting with my own podcast, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with someone who had so much experience.
During the pandemic, we were all looking for new ways to connect and collaborate, and this interview was the perfect opportunity to do so. The conversation flowed smoothly, and we hit it off right away.
Going The Extra Step
After the interview, I decided to follow Kendra on social media. I also sent her a thank-you message for having me on the show, like I usually do after a podcast appearance. From there, Kendra and I have kept in touch over the years.
We still comment on each other’s posts and share each other’s content on social media.
As our relationship has grown, we’ve even done guest episodes on each other’s podcasts, and we occasionally send each other gifts and messages to check in on one another. It’s been really nice to have someone who understands the struggles and joys of running a business and pursuing your passions.
Kendra and I have become really good friends, and we talk about our personal lives. We’ve even had the chance to visit each other in person! We stay in touch regularly through text messages, checking in on each other, talking about our families, hobbies and offering each other advice and support when we need it most.
But it’s not just friendship. We have also had the opportunity to work together for some clients, and we’ve sent each other leads and referrals for other companies that we thought would be a good fit for either of us.
Looking back, I realize that the key to our relationship was maintaining the connection that we established after our very first podcast interview together.
To keep that connection alive, I followed Kendra on social media and engaged with her content, which showed her that I was invested in her success and interested in what she had to say even after the interview ended. By staying in touch over the years, we’ve built a bond that goes beyond our shared interest in podcasting.
It really does take time and effort to build strong connections, but in the end, it’s totally worth it. When you meet someone who shares your passions and interests, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with them. Follow them on social media, engage with their content, and stay in touch. Who knows where those connections might lead?
What Podcast Guests Need To Do
And speaking of connections, let’s dive a bit deeper into building relationships with podcast hosts.
#1 Do your research
As a guest on a podcast, it’s essential to come prepared and engaged during the interview. I actually have a podcast of my own, so I can tell you firsthand that it’s pretty obvious when someone hasn’t listened to an episode. So, do your research and understand the host’s audience and the show’s format. This will help you tailor your responses and make the most of your time on the show.
#2 Listen and engage actively
During the interview, it’s also important to actively listen to the host and the questions they ask. Stay engaged in the conversation, and avoid distractions like checking your email or looking at your calendar. This is your chance to showcase your expertise and connect with the host and their audience.
When it comes to being a great podcast guest, there are several things you can do to ensure a successful and engaging interview.
One important thing to keep in mind is that the interview is a collaborative effort between you and the host, and your contributions are key to making the episode valuable for the audience.
During the interview, it’s important to look for visual cues from the host to make sure you’re not going off on long tangents or monopolizing the conversation. Ask the host questions and show interest in their insights as well.
This will help keep the conversation flowing and ensure that the episode is engaging for the audience.
#3 Follow up with a thank you note
However, your responsibilities as a great podcast guest don’t end once the recording is over. After the show, take the time to send a thank-you message to the host a few days later. This is an incredible opportunity to show your appreciation for the host’s time, effort, and resources, as creating a podcast episode takes a lot of work and dedication.
By sending a thoughtful thank-you message, you can stand out as a guest and potentially open the door for future collaborations or networking opportunities. So, don’t be that guest who misses out on this important step!
But sending a simple email might not be enough these days. You need to be more creative and show that you’re engaged with them.
#4 Engage and Share
Connect with the host on social media and ask them which platform they’re most active on. Once you know that, make sure to engage with their posts, like them, and watch their stories. And don’t forget to share your interview with your own audience! This helps the host get more downloads and can help you attract more listeners as well.
Another thing you can do is to suggest future collaborations with the host. One great idea is to go live together on Instagram and promote each other’s shows. This can have a huge impact on both of you and help you build a relationship with the host.
But remember, the listeners are the ones who will determine your success as a podcast guest. So make sure to share your episode with your own email list, Facebook followers, and Instagram followers. The more downloads the host gets, the more likely they’ll be to invite you back on their show.
Finally, don’t forget to follow up with the host after the episode airs. This shows them that you’re invested in the relationship and that you value their time and effort.
#5 Leave a Review
Do not forget to leave a review after the podcast airs. Reviews are worth their weight in gold for podcast hosts.
And honestly, you should leave a review before you have even been on the show because you have listened to it beforehand, right? That way you can better gage whether you’ll be a good host or a good guest, and who the audience is that you are talking to. So make sure you give those valuable reviews.
#6 Don’t let the relationship end there
Ask the podcast guest or podcast host to get back to you. “Let us get in touch and see. I’d love to learn more about your business and see if there’s someone who would be a good fit for you.” If you are an author, I offer to send him or her a signed copy of your book so you can continue that relationship.
Related: Podcast Guest Book Tour
How I Keep Track Of Podcast Host Relationships
Keep tracking of all these relationships can be challenging. That’s why I maintain a whole spreadsheet with the podcast host’s name and email.
I add the name, website and social medial handles. And then I have a column that says, “Last time I talked to them” – if you have not talked to them in a while, you should reach out. Maybe they would like to have you back on their show again. Maybe things have changed in their business and they are now looking for your services.
The big takeaway is; do not just let the podcast experience end when the recording stops.
About Katie Brinkley
Katie Brinkley has been leveraging social media to grow audiences and income for over 19 years. Since the time of MySpace, she’s helped her clients build a strategy to attract the right followers and generate consistent inbound leads in as little as an hour a week. From building corporate-level growth strategies for AT&T and DirecTV to implementing done-for-you social media for solopreneurs and local businesses, Katie has been at the forefront of the changes in how buyers engage on social media. Utilizing her platform-agnostic strategies, Katie’s clients have been able to see bottom-line results at every stage of the sales process. Katie’s history of radio journalism, mixed with her social aptitude, allows her to bring a unique insight and leverage her client stories to the forefront of their social strategy.
- Visit Katie Brinkley’s Website
- Listen to Katie’s Podcast: Rocky Mountain Marketing
- Katie Brinkley on Social Media: PodMatch | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Clubhouse