Listen to two to three episodes of the podcast, one to be confident if the podcaster asks anything related to it, and also to be able to figure out the format and style of the show.

Make pointers about the Life situation you would talk about. Case study you would talk about. The freebie you would mention.

As part of our program’s pre-interview checklist, it’s important to schedule the interview and clarify the details of how it will take place. Many podcast hosts use Zoom for their calls, so it’s crucial to ask whether it will be audio-only or video. Some hosts may record and post the video on platforms like YouTube, so it’s important to be prepared for that in advance.

If the host plans to use a different program, it’s important to clarify what it is and how you’re expected to show up for the call to avoid confusion or delays during the interview. By clarifying these details ahead of time, you can ensure a successful and seamless interview experience.

One of the biggest pet peeves of podcast hosts is poor audio quality. With that said, to avoid any potential issues, it’s recommended that you steer clear of using the built-in microphone on your laptop or mobile phone, as well as the headphones that come with your phone (the ones with small earbuds and a built-in microphone). Here are some essential things to check to ensure you have the right equipment:

It’s crucial to prioritize microphone performance and avoid taking it for granted. As with any electronic device, microphones can deteriorate over time, so we recommend performing microphone checks before any significant recording. This will only take 5 minutes but could save you days or even weeks of rework.

Before you start recording your work or your scheduled interview, do a sample recording and check to see if your microphone is working at the expected level. For that, simply go here.

Record a sample and play it back. If you can hear everything, then you are good to go.

When you start recording content, you’ll need to ensure that the quality of your audio is not only clear and understandable, but more importantly, it needs to hold attention. You can ensure the quality of sound by using an excellent microphone (I recommend this mic available on Amazon).

Additionally, make sure your voice reflects authenticity and passion. We’ll provide a guide on creating outstanding audio and video in the next few sections, so be sure to check it out.

You also need to check whether your microphone is working or not. You can easily do that by using this online portal click here.

The problem with not having headphones is that if somebody is interviewing you and their voice is coming out of your speakers, their voice is essentially going to hit your microphone, so it creates a feedback loop that just sounds really bad and makes it really hard for the podcast host to edit. So you want to be listening to your interviewer through your headphones and speaking into your microphone, as this will make it a lot easier for them.

As you talk into the microphone, your brain processes what it’s hearing through the headphones and gives you the chance to self-review and make minor tweaks. This is obviously done in a split second and can include changing your tone, volume, or any of the millions of variables you can adjust when you’re presenting a show.

There are a lot of good headphones on the market. You might want to check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x, available on Amazon. Click here.

Tip: Since most computers and recording devices only have one headphone jack, you’ll also need an audio splitter to plug them all in.

Make sure that you’re in a private space during the time of your interview. You could be in your home office or just somewhere quiet where nobody is going to interrupt you or steal your focus and attention during the interview. You want to be prepared to give the host your undivided attention and focus during the time of your interview.

By all distractions, I mean all distractions. Put your Skype on DND (Do Not Disturb), put your phone on DND (not silent, because then the phone will still vibrate), TURN OFF ALL SOCIAL MEDIA. Tell your family not to disturb you during the duration of the interview. The last thing you want is to have all these “pings” while being interviewed. Plus, there’s nothing more cringe-worthy and unprofessional than having to pause an interview due to interruptions, especially when you’re on “live,” with no opportunity to retake.

Start emptying your mind and focusing on the job at hand. You have to be the best version of yourself during this time. There could be thousands to millions of people listening in or watching you. And that means everything for you and your business.

As the countdown begins for your live or recorded session, it’s time to pump up your state. This is your chance to show your best self and make a lasting impression.

Find what works for you to get into a winning mindset. I personally recommend listening to a song with a heroic beat.

Even if you’re just doing audio interviews where people can’t see you, you’d be surprised at just how much your posture affects the audio. Stand when you record; this keeps your energy level high. When you sit down and record, your energy level is invariably going to be low. Shift your physiology to reflect your emotions; speak with your body. You cannot droop your shoulders when you want to sound ecstatic and energetic.

Proper lighting can make a huge difference in your appearance during recordings. It can hide imperfections, emphasize your strengths, and make you memorable. Before you begin any recording, make sure to check your lighting setup and find your best angles. With practice, you’ll develop a sense of how to look your best in any lighting.

Note: You can get a good set of lighting systems from here.

While I agree that in regular daily life, makeup is not an essential thing, if you are to appear in front of a camera, you do need some basic makeup, no matter who you are. Yes, you heard me right, men, you do need makeup if you are to be in front of a camera. Your gender has nothing to do with the basic killer of a good presentation: an off-putting face.

 

Now hear me out: natural skin can often appear pasty, discolored, patchy, and shiny on camera due to light, reflective angles, etc. Basic skin products like oil control sheets, matte powder, foundation, and concealers are as essential to the trade as a microphone or a camera. If your skin tone leans heavily toward red tones, you might need to carry color correction as well.

When choosing foundation and powder, go for a sun-kissed look. Make sure that your face does not appear too light, because the lights will make you look paler. You can go to any makeup counter and ask for the best color match of products for your skin tone, explaining that you will be on camera.

When applying powder, include the neck and ears for an overall even tone. If you have a high hairline, make sure to include that area as well to reduce the shine. If you are applying makeup while wearing the top you will be wearing for the interview, make sure you place something over it like tissue paper, to protect your clothing from getting powder stains.

When grooming your hair, apply some hair products like hairspray or wax to tame your mane. A nice and simple hairstyle will be pleasing to the viewers’ eyes; you owe them that. Remember to include your facial hair and trim where and when necessary.

Now we all know to dress elegantly for a video, but what a lot of people don’t account for are color combinations. Not all color combinations look as good on camera as they do in daily life. Remember, you are in a very limited setting during your interview, and any loud or distracting color combinations will distract the audience and steal attention from your words.

 

Wear elegant, muted, yet stylish color combinations. Want to make a bold, colorful statement? Go with a single color and make a bold statement instead of pairing many loud colors together. In short, be mindful of what your clothes say. As long as they don’t scream, ‘I’m colorblind’, you are okay.

Remember that your face, and especially your mouth, will be in focus during a video interview or podcast. You want the audience to focus on what you’re saying rather than being distracted by that shred of lettuce that’s been stuck in their teeth since lunch. Check your teeth before applying your basic skin products as a pre-taping ritual.

 

If you can, quickly use mouthwash even if your teeth are clean. If you notice anything stuck in your teeth, a quick swipe with a toothpick will take care of it. I would even recommend that you brush your teeth quickly before a video-based interview; after all, it’s better to have a clean, shiny smile in front of a camera.

This is where it gets tricky: you need to be honest with yourself. Are there any tics, habits, or visually fidgety behaviors that you know yourself to have? Imagine Meryl Streep tapping her foot and fidgeting during prime time TV or Leonardo DiCaprio scratching his hair or cracking his fingers. Can you even picture it? I personally cannot.

 

Giving a visual presentation of yourself is a performance, and every nervous habit and every fidget you express will become part of your public persona. I know it sounds scary, but if you practice, you will realize that you can turn your awareness of your surroundings inward and present your most charming self, devoid of any visual habits that can prove to be distracting.

While spitting, loud swallowing, belching, burping, and other sounds are natural, they can distract listeners and make you sound bad. So ensure that in the editing process all such sounds are processed out. If you are a part of a live recording and transmission, make certain that nothing foul is captured on tape.

Instead of blowing your nose, blot it discreetly with soft tissues.

Is there too much saliva? Swallow while leaning away from the microphone with your mouth closed. Discretion, discretion, and more discretion.