The Complete Podcast Guest Guide (2025 Updated)

As a guest on a podcast, you have a unique opportunity to share your expertise, tell compelling stories, and connect with an engaged audience. To help you make the most of this experience, we have compiled a list of tips and insights for optimizing your remote interview. These guidelines cover the pre-session, during the session, and post-session phases, as well as recommendations for promoting the episode upon publication. We hope you find this guide helpful in having a successful and enjoyable podcast appearance. Let's dive in!

Pre-Session

Equipment

1. Microphone: Unless provided equipment by the host, set up the best audio recording hardware you have available. Avoid wireless headphones or business headsets, as microphone quality is often subpar. For budget-conscious guests spending $50-80, the Samson Q2U, Audio-Technica ATR2500X-USB, or Elgato Wave Neo deliver professional results without breaking the bank. If you can invest $80-150, consider the Audio-Technica AT2020USB+, Rode PodMic (XLR), Shure MV6, or Razer Seiren V3 Mini for noticeable quality improvements with better build quality. Premium options from $150-250 include the Shure MV7x, Sennheiser Profile USB, or RØDE X XCM-50, which approach broadcast quality. However, you'll experience diminishing returns after about $150 spent. For headset users, the Rode ATH-100M remains a solid choice.
2. Headphones: Wear headphones or earbuds. This will prevent your microphone from picking up the host's voice coming through your speakers. With over 70% of podcasters now recording with headphones, this has become even more critical for professional-quality remote interviews.
3. Camera: If you'll be on video (and increasingly, you will be – video podcasts are experiencing explosive growth in 2025), several options deliver excellent results. The Insta360 Link 2C offers exceptional 4K quality without the gimbal tracking that producers often ask you to disable anyway, making it better value than the Link 2 (it's the one that I ended up with). Obsbot cameras are decent, too, though their AI tracking also tends to be disabled during actual recordings. For the highest webcam quality, the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra 4K delivers really great results but is also pretty expensive. If you own a DSLR camera, you can use it as a webcam through USB connection, often achieving better results to any dedicated webcam. The downside to DSLR's is that they can overheat or run out of battery life, so your mileage may vary.

Location

1. Location: Find a quiet room with good acoustics; your office is often suitable. Avoid outdoor locations, as noise from the wind and birds can be distracting. Consider recording within your home. With AI-powered noise reduction becoming more common in 2025, some background noise is more manageable than before, but a quiet space is still ideal.
2. WiFi: To ensure a stable connection, plug your computer directly into the internet or choose an area with excellent WiFi. New in 2025: Many recording platforms now offer progressive upload technology, which means your recording saves in real-time even if your connection drops temporarily.
3. Power: Use a computer plugged directly into the wall. If not possible, charge your devices beforehand to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the session.
4. Lighting: Arrange your space for optimal lighting – natural light from a window works best. I repeat natural light from a window works best. A ring light will give you white rings in your eyes. So, if you can, find a window and position yourself near it. Your producer will thank you. Regarding your background, keep it clean and professional.

Software

1. IT Managed Systems: If you belong to an organization with IT-managed devices, confirm with the IT department that you can plug in external microphones and download any necessary drivers. Ask your IT department to whitelist Riverside.fm, SquadCast, Zencastr, or other remote recording platforms (these have largely replaced older solutions) to avoid issues accessing your webcam or microphone. Many of these platforms now run entirely in the browser, reducing compatibility issues. If you cannot resolve IT issues, consider using a personal computer or even a smartphone with a USB microphone (with the right adapter) as a last resort.
2. Noise Processing: Turn off any noise software or post processing service (echo cancellation, noise suppression, remove background noise). Software to disable includes Windows Audio Enhancements, Krisp, and NVIDIA RTX Voice. However, some hosts may specifically ask you to keep certain AI-powered noise reduction on, as it has improved significantly in 2025.
3. Notifications: Also, disable any software notifications, such as email or messaging apps (looking at you, Teams and Slack users), to minimize distractions during the interview.

Content

1. Listen: Familiarize yourself with the podcast by listening to a few episodes. Note recurring questions and the host's interview style. New trend: Many podcasts in 2025 are shorter and more focused – average episode length is trending toward 20-40 minutes, so prepare concise, impactful responses.
2. Audience: Consider the podcast audience and tailor your content to their interests. Consult the host for insights on listener demographics. Remember that podcast audiences in 2025 are more engaged than ever – listeners average 8.3 episodes per week and spend over 10 hours weekly listening.
3. Stories: The night before, reflect on relevant memories and stories to share during the interview. Jot down a few notes to trigger your memory. Storytelling is essential for a successful podcast episode, so the more stories the better! Consider micro-stories: With attention spans shifting, have bite-sized anecdotes ready that can stand alone or build into larger narratives.

During the Session

1. Turn off your phone to avoid distractions and, again, disable any software notifications.
2. Keep a glass of water nearby to avoid a dry throat. Remaining hydrated will help you maintain clear speech throughout the interview.
3. Thank the host at the beginning, and use their name throughout the conversation.
4. Have your notes or talking points handy but avoid reading from them verbatim. Instead, use them as reminders for essential topics or specific data you want to mention.
5. Reference earlier episodes when relevant to the current discussion – this shows you've done your homework and helps build audience connection.
6. Don't be afraid of silence. Pausing to form a clear sentence is better than using filler words. If comfortable, consult a close friend to identify any filler words you typically use and practice eliminating them. 2025 update: AI editing tools can now remove filler words automatically, but it's still better to minimize them naturally.
7. If promoting a product or service, discuss it with the host prior to the interview to ensure a smooth introduction to the topic. Be mindful that 16% of listeners quit shows with too many ads, so focus on providing value first.
8. Be video-ready: Even if it starts as audio-only, be prepared for video. Many hosts are adding video elements mid-recording or using clips for social media promotion.

Post-Session

1. Reflect on the conversation, identifying areas that you spoke well about and any sensitive topics that should be removed from the published episode. Discuss these with the host.
2. Provide details for how you would like to be described in the episode, along with any necessary links. Include social handles for platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter/X, and TikTok, as cross-platform promotion is more important than ever.
3. Offer future guest ideas to the host if you know people. Hosts love getting referrals, especially those with specific expertise in niche areas.
4. Ask about AI-generated content: Some hosts may create AI-generated summaries, highlights, or social clips. Discuss how you'd like to be represented in these materials.

On Publication

1. Share the episode with your friends and family.
2. Share the episode on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram, and TikTok (which has become crucial for podcast discovery). Tag the host and podcast accounts to spark engagement and conversations. Create short-form content: Extract 60-90 second clips for platforms that favor short-form video content.
3. If applicable, include the podcast episode in your email newsletter, providing a brief overview of the topics discussed and the motivation for following the podcast.
4. If applicable, share the episode with relevant industry groups, online forums, or communities – especially niche communities, as hyper-targeted podcasts are thriving in 2025.
5. Request video clips and audiograms: Most hosts now create these automatically with AI tools. Share these snippets on social media for more engaging promotion. Video podcasts perform particularly well on YouTube and LinkedIn.
6. Thank the host publicly on social media for the opportunity to be a guest on their podcast, building goodwill and fostering a positive relationship.
7. Consider the global audience: With podcast growth exploding in Latin America and Asia, your episode may reach international audiences. Be mindful of cultural context in your promotion.
8. Leverage AI tools: Use AI-powered tools to help create social media posts, LinkedIn articles, or blog posts based on your podcast appearance – but always review and personalize the output.