Here are the top Things NOT to Do with a Guest on Your Podcast:
❌ 1. Don’t Wing It Like You “Know Enough”
Why it’s a mistake:
Guests can feel when you didn’t do your homework. Asking generic questions or mispronouncing their name? Instant vibe killer.
What to do instead:
-
Read their bio, not just skim it
-
Listen to at least 10 minutes of their previous interviews
-
Find 1 unexpected fact to surprise them with (“You once said X in a blog post from 2019—tell me more about that”)
❌ 2. Don’t Talk More Than You Listen
Why it’s a mistake:
The episode isn’t your TED Talk—it’s a conversation. If you’re monologuing, interrupting, or story-topping, your guest will check out mentally (and so will the audience).
What to do instead:
-
Let them finish their thoughts (even if there's a pause)
-
Ask one question, not five in a row (WE ALL DONE THIS! LOL)
-
React, reflect, then move the convo forward
❌ 3. Don’t Ambush Them with "Gotcha" Questions
Why it’s a mistake:
No one wants to feel tricked. Even if your show is edgy, there's a difference between being bold and being disrespectful.
What to do instead:
-
If it’s a sensitive topic, prep them ahead of time
-
Avoid clickbait-style traps like “So… why did you fail?”
-
Reframe hard questions with empathy: “What did you learn during that season?”
❌ 4. Don’t Overdo the Sales Pitch or Self-Promo
Why it’s a mistake:
If your intro is 10 minutes of you pushing your newsletter, and your outro is a hard sell—your guest becomes a backdrop, not the main feature.
What to do instead:
-
Plug yourself briefly and naturally
-
Focus 90% of the show on your guest’s value
-
Add links and promos in the show notes or post-roll
❌ 5. Don’t Publish Without Letting Them Know
Why it’s a mistake:
Dropping an episode without tagging or notifying the guest is a missed opportunity and bad etiquette. They were your co-creator—keep them in the loop.
What to do instead:
-
Send them the link, artwork, and a short blurb they can share
-
Tag them in posts, shout them out in stories
-
Ask them how they’d like to be featured
⚠️ Bonus: Don’t Treat Guests Like Content Machines
They’re humans. Respect their time. Send reminders. Be on time. Say thank you. Follow up. A great experience behind the mic makes them way more likely to promote the show and recommend you to others.
Final Word:
Bad hosting burns bridges. Great hosting builds community.
Don’t just avoid awkward interviews—create moments that matter.
The more respected your guests feel, the more likely they’ll drop gems, come back, and tell their circle
