One of my first encounters with podcasting, besides listening to them, was being a guest on one of them. I had the opportunity to share my experience growing up in a blended family. Once we finished recording, I asked the host many questions about starting my podcast. She was very generous in answering my questions, and I’m grateful for that.
Other aspiring podcasters should also do this because of my experience as a guest before launching my podcast. So, here are five reasons why you should be a guest on podcasts before starting your own show.
See the Behind-The-Scenes Work
Being a guest on this podcast made me realize much behind-the-scenes work is involved. Just from being a guest and all the information I needed to provide to the host, I thought, “This is a lot.” I understand that every show is different and every host does things differently, but the same information is usually gathered from guests.
- Headshot
- Short Bio
- Links
- And sometimes a freebie
Sometimes, hosts will have their guests fill out a questionnaire to get a feel for the guests and learn about their signature talk. Or there will be a meeting before the recording to talk about what the show is about, the flow of it, and the guests’ signature talk.
Different Recording Platforms
Each podcast host can use different recording platforms for their shows. And as a guest, you can see and try out the various platforms. You can see how easy or difficult it is as the guest experience, so you’ll know what your guests will see.
Each recording platform has pros and cons and different features. So, it’s best to research each and see which features you need for your show. I like to record on Zoom because most of my guests don’t have podcasts, and everyone knows how to use Zoom, so I don’t have to provide instructions on how to use it.
Get an Idea of What the Flow of Your Show Will Be
Again, every show is different, and every host does things differently, but being a guest can give you an idea of how to structure your show. I highly recommend people listen to podcasts in the niche they want to launch to get ideas on structuring their show with different segments.
When you’re new to anything, the best thing you can do is talk with someone in the industry you want to get into. So, since you’re reading this article and want to start a podcast, the best thing to do is talk with another podcaster. In this case, being a guest on other shows will give you that proximity, which brings me to my next point.
Ask Questions
What better way to ask podcasters questions than being a guest on their show? That shouldn’t be the only reason why you ask to be on a show; you still need to provide value to their audience. But if there is time before or after the recording – ask if they can talk about their journey podcasting and share some tips with you. Maybe they can have you schedule a meeting before the recording time, and you can ask questions then. Again, the best thing to do is seek advice from someone who is doing what you want. You’ll avoid mistakes and save time and money by doing this.
Network
I love many things about podcasting, but one of the main things is the networking opportunities it brings. The primary way to network is by being a guest on different shows. Not only do you get the chance to network with the host, but you also get the chance to network with the producer if they have one or their podcast manager. And you also have the opportunity to network with their audiences.
Always provide your social media links and/or website. The host should include them in the show notes and/or show description so the audience can contact you if they wish. Being a guest exposes yourself to a greater audience, which can bring listeners to your show when you officially launch.
In Conclusion, on Being A Guest on Podcasts
I’m sure there are many more benefits to being a guest on podcasts before launching your own show, but these are the top five reasons I could think of. This is just a suggestion; being a guest before launching isn’t a requirement. Especially if you aren’t thinking of hosting guests on your show, you can still use being a guest on podcasts as a marketing opportunity for your own, whether it’s a solo podcast or not.
With Love, Heidy
If you found this post helpful, please share it with a friend! 🙂 Questions? Leave a comment or email me at heidy@heidydelacruz.com.
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