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Creating a Podcast Workflow: Create an Interview Outline

interview outline intro outro podcast interview questions podcast workflow Sep 07, 2021

Creating a Podcast Workflow: Create an Interview Outline 

 

Conducting a podcast interview can be intimidating for some podcasters. So much so that these individuals shy away from conducting interviews due to fear of the outcome, fear of not knowing what to say, or fear of failing technology. One of the best ways to ensure a successful interview is to prepare beforehand. Hosts that prepare are hosts that succeed in delivering engaging, thought-provoking interviews for their listeners. One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is to create an outline. In the third post in our podcast workflow series, we will focus our attention on how to create a podcast outline. We will share our best tips and tricks and show you how to prepare for the interview. 

 

Step #1: Know Your Intro 

Before you begin a podcast episode, it is crucial that you introduce yourself, your topic, and your guest to your audience. In doing this, you provide your guest with familiarity on the issues to be covered, your aim for the episode, and your guest’s background. Typically, the approaches taken in an introduction to a podcast show can vary widely, but there are a few commonalities between them. Here is an example of what a podcast introduction may look like. 

 

Hello, I am [host name], the host of [podcast show.] This is the show where we discuss [focus of show]. Today, my guest is [guest’s name]. He/she is an expert in [subject, unique experiences, etc.]. We will be talking about [topic to be covered in the episode.] Let’s jump right in! 

 

This section of the episode aims to provide a brief overview of the material to be covered and familiarize your listener with your guest. Of course, this is just the basis of an introduction. You can flesh this out with as much or as little information as you wish. Some extra information that you might want to put into an introduction includes any podcast announcements you might have, any testimonials that you may wish to read, or any other information that would preface the topic. 

 

Once you have created your script for the introduction, you are ready to move to step two of the outline. Way to go! 

 

Step #2: Familiarize Your Listeners with Your Guest 

 

Because of the vast array of individuals from varying backgrounds that may appear on your show, it is crucial that you thoroughly introduce your guest. When deciding which information to share about your interviewee, it may be helpful to look at their professional bio, consider facts about the guest that others may not know, and explain the guest’s unique approach to the subject. When introducing your guest, consider the following: 

What education, career experiences, or general knowledge qualifies your guest to speak on a given topic? 

What unique perspective can your guest bring to the mic that others may not?  

What interesting facts about your guest can you bring to light? 

How can you uniquely present your guest's experiences in a way that your listeners may not have previously heard? 

 

Remember, the goal of the introduction is to engage your audience and to keep their attention. In addition, you want to make a personal connection with them and give them relatable content that meets a specific need. 

 

Now, let’s move to step three of the episode outline. 

 

Step #3: Write Out Your Questions and Topics

For this outline step, you will likely want to grab a pen, paper, or a laptop and a word document. In this stage, you know your guest, their unique experiences,  and how you wish to relay this information to your listeners. Now, you get to dive into the fun part! It’s time to determine what questions and topics you want to discuss with your guest. This step can feel overwhelming to some, so our next post will go into greater detail, but for now, know that this step requires lots of brainstorming and a little creativity along the way. Here are a few tips to help you create interview questions that compel your audience to keep listening. 

Always ask open-ended questions 

Seek to get to the bottom of a story

Take the time to listen (You never know what questions may naturally come about during a conversation.) 

 

Let’s move on to our final step of the episode outline!

 

Step #4: Create Your Outro 

After you have had your interview, it’s time to wrap up your episode. On your episode outline, you will want to ensure that you include a call to action in your outro as well as thank your sponsors (if you have them.) 

 

What is a podcast call to action? 

A podcast call to action is a concise statement that leads your audience to take action on what they have heard or learned as a result of your show. For example, if your audience likes what they have listened to, you might encourage them to join your email list, follow you on social media, or rate and review your podcast. It is vital that you do not overwhelm your listeners with too many calls to action. Instead, choose one and go with it. If you want to switch your call to action at a later date, you can. Here is an example of a podcast outro. 

 

Thank you for listening to [podcast name] today. If you like what you have heard, be sure to rate and review the show! I want to take a moment to thank my sponsors and my loyal listeners for showing up each week to hear what I have to share. 

 

This is a call to action that both encourage your listeners and thanks to your sponsors. Like the introduction, this piece of the episode can vary widely. However, its commonality is that it encourages your listener to act and expresses gratitude for the time that your listeners took to tune in. 

 

Today, we encourage you to begin outlining your episodes. Take the time necessary to prepare for each recording and use the outline as a guide to help you on the road to podcasting success! 

 

Thank you for joining us on the Spark Media Blog today. For more Christian podcasting resources, be sure to subscribe to the Spark Media mailing list. We promise not to spam you, and we will only send out valuable content. 

 

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