Do you conduct interviews on your podcast? When you spend most of your show interviewing others, it will sometimes become difficult to find time to promote your goods or services and demonstrate your authority. Let me show you how to use interviews to build your authority.

Your entire show doesn't need to focus on your guest just because you conduct interviews. Carve out a little time for yourself.

EXPLODE YOUR AUDIENCE

Before we dive into reconstructing your interview episodes, let me give you some free training.

If you would like to learn how to grow your audience and leverage your podcast, join me for a free training. It is called "How To Explode Your Podcast Audience In 6 Weeks Or Less". It will be a live, hour-long training on Oct. 6 at 12 Noon CT.

You can register for this free training at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

Do you want to grow your audience, increase your downloads and add subscribers to your podcast?

Would you like to become a respected authority in your niche and leverage that authority to help you monetize your show?

Do you want to learn time-saving tips to consistently produce your podcast, find interesting guests, promote your episodes, record the podcast and edit your content?

In this free training, you will discover how to create a simple plan that you can consistently follow in just a few minutes a day to grow your podcast and build your authority.

You can register for this free training at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

PODCAST STRUCTURE

Let's talk about the structure of your interview episodes. If you want to conduct a great interview, use the episode to demonstrate your authority and get people to take action, you need to follow 4 steps.

First, begin with the end in mind. What do you want your listeners to do when this episode is done?

Take my podcast for example. Let's say I am interviewing a joint venture partner who has a webinar coming up that helps middle-age people transition into a career as a solopreneur. I want listeners to register for that webinar. We have a goal for the episode.

Second, we need to structure the interview. I need to ask my guest questions that will get him to tell stories that get my listeners excited about his webinar. These could include stories about how he got started, what he would do differently if he started over and the best next step for my audience.

When you know the goal of the interview, it become a lot easier to structure your questions and know exactly what to ask.

After the interview, I then find some part of the interview that I could teach even more.

STRUCTURE EXAMPLE

Let's say during the interview, he talks about the benefits of being a solopreneur rather than an entrepreneur with employees. What could I teach around that?

If podcasters want to make money with their show, they need to turn listeners into clients. Then they can decide to become a solopreneur.

In my podcast, I could teach ways to attract your ideal clients using a podcast.

The fourth and final step is to assemble it in an order that makes sense.

First would be my recorded show open. This tells my listeners what the podcast is all about, who I am and who I help.

Next, I would add the episode intro. This tells listeners what this particular episode is all about and how they will be transformed by the end.

As I get into the content, I would teach my content. I will show listeners how they can attract their ideal clients using their podcast.

In order to attract clients, you first need to be an entrepreneur. Just our luck. I have our guest on the show today to show you how and why to become a solopreneur.

We then get into the interview. Our conversation shows listeners the benefits of becoming an entrepreneur. Listeners learn why it is even better to be a solopreneur with no employees.

Finally at the end of the interview, we give our listeners a way and incentive to sign up for the webinar to learn more.

Now through the episode we have demonstrated our authority and expertise. We have conducted a great interview to allow our listeners to get to know, like and trust our guest. And, we have given our listeners a way to get even more help if they choose. Everybody wins.

NERVES

As you conduct interviews, it is natural to be a little nervous. We are putting ourselves out there usually to a person we don't know very well.

How can you curb your anxiety before you jump into your interview?

First, understand that interview butterflies are natural. Find some comfort in knowing that most every interviewer feels some nervousness the minutes before the talk begins. It is very similar to public speakers.

You're not the only one.

FOUR STEPS

There are four things you can do to get over the jitters. These should help you a bit to calm the nerves before the interview.

• Prepare

  Make sure you have your interview plan ready. Be knowledgable about your guest. Have at your fingertips any details that you will need. Create a map and know where you are going. Ensure you know what you hope to achieve with this particular interview.

• Preinterview – Explain the process

  Before the interview, have a quick chat with your guest. Let them know exactly how the interview will run and what they can expect. This will not only put you at ease, it will make your guest more comfortable and open.

• Understand you are helping them

  Your guest is on your show, because there is some value to them. Guests typically do not appear on podcasts out of the goodness of their heart. They are interested in expanding their brand by being on your show.

You have something to offer your guest.

Podcast guests are marketing their goods or services to your audience. You are putting them in front of a group of people that can expand their reach. This is a huge opportunity and benefit to them. You aren't simply taking from them. Find comfort in knowing that you are helping each other.

• Really listen and be involved in a conversation

  Many podcasters get wrapped up in thinking of the next question and fail to listen to the current answer. Have a dialog instead of a lecture. Truly listen to the answers your guest is offering. Those answers tend to lead to amazing follow-up questions.

  By getting heavily involved in the conversation, you will take your mind off of your nervous butterflies.

REFINE

Next time you create an interview episode, be sure you are making time to demonstrate your authority. Show people what you are all about.

Start with the end in mind. Figure out what you want to accomplish before you even conduct the interview. When you start with an overview, it becomes easier to achieve your goal.

Use these four steps to ease your nerves and settle into the conversation.

If you would like to learn how to grow your downloads, join me for a free training. It is called "How To Explode Your Podcast Audience In 6 Weeks Or Less". It will be a live, hour-long training on Oct. 6 at 12 Noon CT.

You can register for this free training at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

In this free training, you will discover how to create a simple plan that you can consistently follow in just a few minutes a day to grow your podcast.

You can register for this free training at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/growth.

Do you need help with your podcast? E-mail me any time at Coach@PodcastTalentCoach.com. Let's see what we can do.

Let's turn your information into engaging entertainment.