You’ve secured the podcast booking. The calendar invite is sitting in your inbox. You’re excited to share your expertise with a new audience. But here’s where most guests stumble: they think showing up is enough. It’s not. There are ways to nail show-day prep.
This guide gives you a framework-based approach to show day prep. Not the kind where you wing it based on your knowledge, but systematic preparation that addresses the technical, content, and psychological dimensions of podcast guesting.
1. The Show Day Prep Timeline
1. 7 Days Before: Deep Research Phase
Listen to 3-5 Recent Episodes This isn’t passive listening while you’re folding laundry. According to podcast booking experts at The Podcast Consultant, researching the host’s recent work is essential for understanding their interview style and the questions they typically ask. Actively take notes on:
- Interview pacing (fast-paced and energetic vs. slow and contemplative)
- Question types (open-ended storytelling vs. tactical how-to)
- Guest dynamics (does the host interrupt or let guests finish?)
- Audience sophistication (industry insiders vs. general public)
- Recurring themes or frameworks the host references
Referencing past shows during your interview demonstrates you’re invested and helps build instant rapport with the host.
Additionally, to nail show-day prep, research the audience. Check iTunes to understand who’s listening and why they tune in. This intelligence shapes how you tell your stories and which examples you choose.
2. 3-5 Days Before: Content Preparation
Prepare your tailored story since generic stories fall flat. Stories tailored to this specific show’s audience create connection. Prepare 3-5 stories that:
- Demonstrate your expertise through real outcomes
- Include specific numbers and details (not vague wins)
- Relate to problems this audience actually faces
- Show vulnerability or failure, not just success
You should maintain a document with answers to standard questions you’ve heard over the years, updating it regularly with unique responses that align with your background and beliefs.
Craft your 90-second origin story. Majority of podcast interviews ask about your origin story. Rehearse a 1-2 minute version that tells a story, shows expertise, and sets the scene without excessive depth. This is often your first impression – make it count.
Prepare tactical takeaways and use AI tools to simulate the interview in advance. You can create a ChatGPT prompt instructing it to act as the podcast host and interview you about your topic. This helps you practice conversational interview skills ahead of time.
3. 24 Hours Before: Technical Validation
The critical tech check. Poor audio quality can tank an episode. As production companies note, “The guest with bad audio could potentially turn people off to the podcast.” Remember, tech checks should test every element of your setup, not just confirm things turn on.
4. Show Day Morning: Mental and Physical Prep
Rehearse answers aloud. Practicing answers out loud is fundamentally different from mental rehearsal. When you verbalize responses, you hear how they actually sound versus how they sound in your head. This goes a long way if you want to nail show-day prep, given that podcasts reach 75% of the USA population.
The approach recommends:
- Record yourself answering anticipated questions
- Watch for robotic tone, identical phrasing, or repetitive gestures
- Practice the same question with different time constraints (30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes)
- Leave 30% room for spontaneous responses – don’t memorize word-for-word
As noted by career preparation experts, rehearsing helps reduce stress during your actual interview and allows you to focus on connecting with your interviewer rather than struggling to formulate answers.
Pre-Show Physical Setup:
- Test everything one final time 15 minutes before
- Close unnecessary applications
- Silence phone and notifications
- Have water nearby (talking makes you thirsty)
- Keep notes visible but not distracting
- Position yourself comfortably (you’ll be sitting for 30-90 minutes)
2. The Content Framework
1. Your Three-Pillar Message Strategy
Hosts appreciate guests who can stay on message while remaining conversational. Before the show, identify:
The Problem: What core challenge does this audience face that you solve?
The Insight: What counterintuitive or novel perspective do you bring?
The Action: What’s the one thing listeners should do first?
These pillars guide every story and answer, ensuring coherence without sounding scripted.
2. Avoiding Common Content Mistakes
The best guests can handle curveballs while staying focused on creating value with the host. Don’t over-stress about mess-ups.
When a brain fog moment happens, lean into the humor: ‘Oh shoot, I lost the thread, what did you ask me again?'” This deepens connection and shows you’re human.
If you want to nail show-day prep, don’t be salesy. Listen and provide value. Your goal is to serve the audience, not pitch your product. Mentions of your work should emerge naturally when the host prompts you, not be forced into every answer.
3. The Technical Checklist
1. Equipment Essentials
According to podcast guest preparation experts, even smartphone headsets outperform built-in computer audio because they’re designed to mute background noise and improve voice quality.
Minimum Setup:
- External microphone or quality headset
- Wired headphones (prevents echo better than wireless)
- Stable internet connection (wired ethernet preferred over WiFi)
Professional Setup:
- Dynamic microphone (minimizes background noise)
- Audio interface for better sound processing
- Dedicated recording software for backup
- Ring light or key light for video
2. The Pre-Show Protocol
To nail show-day prep, your professional preparation includes a dress rehearsal. Don’t just test your mic 30 seconds before the interview, record a 5-minute practice session a week before. Talk through your key stories, answer anticipated questions, then listen back.
Check for:
- Is your mic too hot or too quiet?
- Are you using excessive filler words?
- Does your best story actually land or ramble?
This low-stakes environment lets you fine-tune both performance and technical setup before the real interview.
4. During the Interview
1. Building Rapport
According to The Podcast Host, the best interviews feel like great conversations rather than interrogations. Strategies include:
- Ask the host questions
- Relate their points back to your experiences
- Make it a two-way dialogue
- Reference past episodes when contextually relevant
This last point is particularly powerful – as podcast experts note, loyal listeners love recalling previous episodes, and mentioning them shows genuine engagement.
2. Managing Energy and Pacing
- Arrive (log in) 5 minutes early to avoid technical hiccups
- Maintain energy even if you’re recording in your home office alone
- Match the host’s pacing and energy level
- Pause between major points to give the host space to interject
- Remember the microphone amplifies, so you can speak conversationally
3. The Art of the Story
People remember stories, not facts. Remember, listeners feel the energy of podcast guests even when they don’t see them on screen. Authenticity and honesty are key elements of success.
Structure your stories using the SAR method:
- Situation: Set the context concisely
- Action: Describe what you did specifically
- Result: Share the measurable outcome
Keep stories under 3 minutes unless the host signals they want more detail.
5. Post-Show Protocol
1. The Immediate Follow-Up
Within 24 hours:
- Send a brief thank-you email to the host
- Ask what promotional support they need
- Provide any promised resources or links
- Confirm your contact information and bio are correct
According to podcast booking research from Leverage with Media, preparing a simple “promo pack” makes it easy for hosts to share the episode. Include pre-written social media posts, email copy, and graphics.
When the episode launches:
- Share across all your platforms and tag the host
- Create micro-content from key moments
- Respond to comments and questions from listeners
- Send a second thank-you acknowledging the published episode
The Podcast Consultant research indicates that your relationship with a guest shouldn’t end when the episode publishes; thoughtful follow-up builds lasting professional connections and can lead to referrals to other shows.
Recap: How do You Nail Show-day Prep?
Getting a podcast booking is only the first step. Strong guests go through a structured prep process that includes research, content, technology, and mindset. A week before, watch recent episodes to get a feel for the host’s style and the people who watch. Days before, write personalized stories with real outcomes, polish a short origin story, and practice how to talk about them, even using AI to pretend to be in an interview. In the last 24 hours, check that your tech is working and practice saying your answers out loud so they don’t sound rehearsed.
Use three clear pillars to get your point across: the problem the audience is having, your unique perspective, and one thing they can do right away. Don’t be too pushy, deal with mistakes easily, and focus on value. To make a good impression during the interview, connect with the host, match their energy, and tell structured stories to keep things short and memorable. After that, send a thank-you note, help with promotions, and share the episode to build relationships and open up new opportunities.
Frequently Asked QuestionsÂ
How to prep for being on a podcast?
Research the show’s format and previous episodes to understand the tone and typical questions. Prepare 3-5 key talking points you want to cover about your expertise or story. Test your audio equipment beforehand and choose a quiet location with good acoustics. Have water nearby and practice speaking clearly at a moderate pace.
How much does a podcast with 1000 listeners make?
A podcast with 1000 listeners typically makes very little directly from ads – perhaps $15-25 per episode if monetized through sponsorships. Most podcasts this size rely on indirect monetization like promoting their own products, services, or building their personal brand. The real value at this listener level is audience building and establishing authority rather than direct revenue.
How to greet the audience in a podcast?
As a guest, let the host handle the audience greeting, that’s their role. If asked to greet listeners directly, keep it warm and simple: “Hey everyone, thanks for having me” or “Hello listeners, excited to be here.” Match the show’s energy level, whether casual or professional.
How do you introduce yourself as a guest on a podcast?
Start with your name and what you do in one clear sentence: “I’m [Name], and I help [target audience] with [specific problem/solution].” Add one relevant credential or achievement that establishes your credibility for the topic at hand. Keep it concise, the host will usually guide you to expand on interesting points.
How to do a 3 minute self-introduction?
Structure it in three parts: who you are now (30 seconds), your journey/story of how you got here (2 minutes), and what you’re passionate about or working on currently (30 seconds). Use specific anecdotes or turning points rather than listing credentials to keep it engaging and memorable.
Conclusion
Show day preparation isn’t about perfection, it’s about removing unnecessary friction so your expertise can shine through. The technical basics keep you from being the guest with bad audio. The content preparation keeps you from rambling or sounding generic. The research demonstrates respect for the host’s work and their audience’s time. The show day starts seven days before showtime. Begin your preparation now.
