Table of Contents

Want 5 quick ways to improve as a podcast host or guest?

Quick Wins For Podcasters

Winning Over Podcast Hosts: A 3-Step Formula for Podcast Guests to Become The Favorite Guest

Table of Contents

How are you doing in podcasting as a guest, host, or both?
Take the quiz to find out

In this post, Daniel Alfon shares a 3-step formula for making a lasting impression on podcast hosts and enticing listeners to keep tuning in. By identifying resonant quotes and questions from past episodes and weaving them into the conversation, guests can stand out and increase engagement. Whether you’re a new or experienced podcast guest, this formula will help elevate your podcasting game and leave a lasting impact on both the host and the audience!

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION:

 

WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION:

 

SEND IT ANYWHERE:

Read the Blog Post: How To Become The Favorite Podcast Guest

As podcast guests, we all want to make a great impression and stand out from the crowd. One effective way to achieve this is by building a connection with the podcast community.

It’s no secret that people listen to podcasts to feel a sense of belonging and connection. So, as a guest, can we find a way to foster that connection while also promoting ourselves? Yes, we can!

Let me introduce you to a simple yet effective technique called “Quoting Earlier Podcast Episodes.” Imagine this: you receive a new match on your PodMatch dashboard, and you want to make the most out of this opportunity.

To ensure a successful recording, focus on using quotes that are fun, memorable, and relevant to the conversation at hand. While quotes from famous figures like Lincoln or Shakespeare are great, there’s one type of quote that can be particularly effective: quotes from the host’s own show.

By saying something like, “That reminds me of a great conversation you had on your show with an outstanding guest, James Brown,” and then following it up with a quote from that episode, you instantly build rapport with the host.

They will appreciate your effort to highlight their work and encourage listeners to discover more episodes and subscribe. Plus, by doing so, you’ll gain more exposure because the host may promote the episode in a more personal way.

Let me give you an example to illustrate this technique. As a guest, one question I’m often asked is, “What can entrepreneurs do to grow their networking?” My response is that they should focus on growing real-life business metrics rather than just LinkedIn metrics.

However, this might prompt the host to ask, “How do we determine our business metrics?” That’s when you can seamlessly integrate a quote from a previous episode.

You could say something like, “I remember Mark discussing this very topic on your show, X, Y, Z. He had some great insights on how to identify and measure your business metrics. You should definitely check it out.” Notice how you basically fuse the quote into your answer

Finding The Perfect Quote

Now, you might be wondering, how do you find the right quote to use? 

As a guest on a podcast, it’s important to do your homework before the recording. Take some time to re-listen to a few episodes of the show you’ll be on and identify the ones that intrigue you.

This will allow you to create a cheat sheet that lists topics, quotes, and questions that catch your attention. When you hear a topic you’re passionate about or a point that makes you think or laugh, add it to your cheat sheet. 

To take your preparation to the next level, ask the host if there’s a specific episode they would recommend as a starting point. This can give you even more insight into the show’s style and topics. 

While many guests do listen to shows they’ll be on, often they listen passively without a specific purpose. To get the most out of your listening, actively identify hooks that resonate with you.

Choose a topic or two, a quote, or a question that caught your attention, and use it to guide your conversation during the recording. By listening with a purpose, you’ll be better prepared and able to make a bigger impact during the show.

Related: Level Up Your Podcast Guesting Game

Executing The Quote Flawlessly

Let’s talk about incorporating quotes and topics as a guest on a show. First, let’s explore what not to do. We’ll call it “take one.” Imagine I’m introducing our guest Alex, and I start by saying, “I’d like to quote an earlier guest, Don Henley.

Some dance to remember, and some dance to forget. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. And by the way, John, how are you today?” Yikes! That felt clumsy and awkward. We don’t want to shove a quote down the host’s throat without context.

So, how can we do this more elegantly? Here’s “take two.” As leaders, it’s essential that we communicate in a clear and concise way. When you interviewed Robert Plant, you two discussed the importance of having an explicit message. As Robert sang, “There’s a sign on the wall, but she wants to be sure because, you know, sometimes words have two meanings.” See how this quote fits seamlessly into the conversation.

Now, let’s try “take three.” Kim asks, “But if we have imposter syndrome, how do we deal with it?” I reply, “That’s a great question, Kim. It reminds me of the chat you had with Freddie Mercury. He asked, ‘Can’t we give ourselves one more chance? Why can’t we give love?’ Give love, give love, give love under pressure, pressure.” This approach to incorporating quotes and topics isn’t perfect, but it’s a great starting point. Feel free to tweak it to fit your own unique style.

The Impact of Quotes on Hosts

After recording numerous episodes as a guest, mostly thanks to PodMatch, I can confidently say that quoting earlier episodes I’ve listened to has made the biggest impact with hosts. In fact, many hosts wanted to continue the conversation even after the show ended.

Referring to earlier episodes is a simple yet powerful technique that works for all topics and all types of shows, whether recorded or live, short or long, audio or video. And the best part? It’s totally free and works for both seasoned guests and newbies.

But let’s dive a little deeper. How much extra time will it take to identify quotes and write them down? None at all, because you can write them down as you listen to the show. And if you’ve been on a few shows already, chances are you’ve naturally mentioned an earlier episode.

However, I suggest doing it by design – listen with the mission to identify quotes, integrate them into your natural answers, and watch your impact grow. And as we’ve already seen, PodMatch is an excellent tool to help you secure more bookings.

What Kind Of Guest Are You?

If you read the PodMatch Guest Mastery book, you likely already have a solid pre-recording routine that helps you make an impact. But it’s important to consider what kind of guest you aspire to be. 

There are two types: Type 1 guests, who give a disguised pitch and rush off, and Type 2 guests, who treat the podcast as a continuum and demonstrate respect for the show, the audience, and the host. 

Being a Type 2 guest is not only more fulfilling but also easier once you start actively looking for hooks, topics, and questions as you listen to the show. This mindset has changed the way I listen to podcasts, and I can’t help but look for opportunities to reference earlier episodes or quotes. 

Unfortunately, very few guests take advantage of this strategy. If you’re worried about the host missing the point, it’s best to start with experienced hosts who are more likely to be attentive to your answers.

But ultimately, being a Type 2 guest is about being a good friend to the show and its listeners, which will make both the host and the audience appreciate and remember you.

What If Host Doesn’t Recognise the Quote?

When appearing as a guest on a podcast, it can be frustrating if the host doesn’t recognize a quote you mention. To avoid this, there are a few simple things you can do. Firstly, before going live, ask the host if it’s okay to refer to someone or something in particular during the conversation.

This will help the host prepare and prevent any surprises during the interview. Secondly, if you do mention a quote and the host doesn’t seem to recognize it, politely ask for their permission to reference it.

This gives the host a chance to catch up and respond appropriately. Lastly, when you do mention a quote, pause afterward to allow the host to identify the reference.

By integrating quotes into your natural answers, you can make the podcast more engaging for listeners and encourage them to check out more episodes. When hosts hear guests mentioning past episodes or guests, it shows that the guest is invested in the show and values the host’s work. It’s a simple way to promote the podcast and make a positive impression on the host.

Your Next Step

Let me suggest a simple step you can take today to become a more effective podcast guest: listen to an episode of your next booking with intention. Don’t just listen aimlessly; challenge yourself to find one topic that resonates with you, one quote that made you think, and one question that you would like to answer.

But be warned: if you prepare multiple topics, quotes, and questions, don’t feel like you need to mention all of them. Choose one that blends naturally into the conversation, and ask yourself if it will move the conversation forward.

To become a good speaker, you must first become a good listener. Start small by listening to one episode and identifying one topic that you can immediately apply to your own work. Look at the questions the host is likely to ask you and think about where you can naturally weave that topic into your answers.

When securing a recording through PodMatch, listen to the show with the aim of identifying a hook. Finally, to answer the questions we started with, yes, there is a way to help build the podcast community while promoting ourselves as guests.

By honoring the show’s past and promoting it, we further strengthen the sense of belonging in the community. This is an excellent way to promote ourselves as guests, as happy hosts promote our episode in a more personal way, potentially leading to more opportunities in the future.

So, let’s make the hosts happy by promoting their show. By doing so, we can build a community and also promote ourselves in a positive way. Thank you.

About Daniel Alfon

Daniel Alfon is the author of “Build a LinkedIn Profile for Business Success.” Daniel joined LinkedIn in early 2004, which means he’s made all the mistakes you can imagine but came back to tell what works!

💬 What was your big takeaway or insight gained from this episode?

Join the Conversation