Becoming the Guest Listeners and Hosts Want | Shontra Powell

Most podcast guests get it all wrong. They focus on what they’ll say on podcasts instead of who they’re speaking to and how they can serve. To become the best possible guest, you must get this right! In this episode, Shontra Powell shares her guesting framework for showing up to serve in the best possible way. Get ready to show up with purpose and create an unforgettable listener experience!

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Chapters

00:00 Understanding Your Audience
02:29 Crafting Your Message
04:23 Embracing Flexibility in Conversations
08:14 The Power of Podcasting and Community

Takeaways

Know your audience and their preferences.
Ask questions to understand the podcast's community.
Be clear about your key messages before the podcast.
Use stories to engage listeners effectively.
Be open to the direction of the conversation.
Trust the podcast host's instincts about the audience.
Prepare key points but be flexible in delivery.
Podcasting can extend your reach and create community.
Even one listener can make a significant impact.
Enjoy the experience and relax as a guest.

MORE FROM THIS EPISODE: HTTPS://PODMATCH.COM/EP/372

📊 This month's Independent Podcasters Report is now available! To see podcasting industry insights that matter for indie podcast hosts and podcast guests, please visit https://PodMatch.com/Report!

Episode Transcript

(00:20):
You're listening to Podcasting Made Simple.
Hi there, my name is Chantra Powell and I'm so excited to share with you some of the tipsto be a guest on a podcast.
So here we go.
We're just going to jump right on in.
I have three things that I think are really important for any future guest on a podcast.

(00:41):
First and foremost, I have to say it sounds almost too obvious to be a statement, my firststatement, but that is no, the audience.
Seriously, know the audience.
So we live in such a time where folks are really waking up to the fact that podcast is awonderful way to amplify your message, your voice, and your reach.

(01:12):
And those are all really positive, really very good things.
Well, I think the downside of that is that you have folks that have become so enamoredwith the notion of being on a podcast that they overlook the fact that these are
communities, these are audiences, they have a persona and a profile.

(01:36):
So whether you're seeking to be on a podcast or whether you're asked to be on a podcast, Iwould challenge you as a potential guest to do your homework about the audience.
Now.
that may include asking a whole lot of questions of a host that seeks you out.

(01:56):
Why is it that you're seeking me out?
Question number one.
Who do you speak to on a regular basis?
Question number two.
Why do they listen to you?
What do they enjoy about your conversations?
What do they say to you?
What makes them come back?

(02:18):
That's your last question.
set of questions.
So know your audience is truly the baseline.
And if you find yourself in a position of wanting to leverage a podcast and you're seekingto be a guest on a podcast, the responsibility to know the audience is really great for

(02:39):
you.
Why?
What's your why?
Why that podcast?
Why that audience?
And most importantly, why you for them.
Okay, moving up.
So know your audience is number one.
The next thing is make it plain.

(02:59):
What are you trying to talk about?
What do you have to say?
Make it plain.
Be very clear beforehand with what your key points of message are that you really want toimpress upon the audience.
The best podcast host is going to have wonderful questions that are going to guide youfrom post to post.

(03:26):
For you as the guest, be ready to be guided, but be ready to be guided from a position ofknowing the messages that you feel most passionately about and want to get across.
So what does that sound like?
Detail out your stories in advance Podcast listeners love to relate to who they'relistening to and the best way for them to relate is to hear stories real stories so

(04:01):
Instead of showing up with a key point that you want to get across Perhaps try having thekey point but having a story that engages the listener
Allows the listener to relate to you and then be open to the key point Don't miss thatpoint.
That's really really important.

(04:22):
They need to be open to the key point Now, you know your audience You're making it plain.
You're very very clear on the point that you want to make and You're really unfolding andgetting ready to be vulnerable with story Okay, you think you're ready?
Nope One more thing.

(04:44):
Be prepared to let go and flow.
Saying that one again.
Be prepared to let go and flow.
Now, what do I mean by that?
So now you're in this podcast and you came with stories, you came with key points and yourpodcast host is facilitating a discussion.

(05:10):
that seems to be pulling you further and further away from the stories that you had lockedand loaded for that conversation.
And then you start to get a little confused about, what are my key points?
Here's where Let Go and Flow will be your friend.
The podcast host is intimately connected to the listener.

(05:35):
And the podcast host is really clear.
on what inspires those listeners, what they're listening in for, what they want to hear.
They built a rapport and they built a relationship and they built trust over time.
So now it's time for you to trust them.

(05:56):
This is where let go and flow comes in.
Instead of being connected to the stories that you showed up wanting to tell, be open tothe vulnerability.
Perhaps sharing something you hadn't prepared to share Be open to the journey that couldfeel a little bit like a maze as the podcast hosts successfully weaves with you a

(06:24):
wonderful delivery that will not only Shine you in the best light as the guest but willalso reach the listeners connect with the audience and increase the experience for
everybody Let go and flow So let me go through the four points again first and most knowthe audience Ask all the questions to understand what arena you're showing up to and most

(06:55):
importantly Why are you there?
And if the intention isn't to reach those in the arena that you'll be meeting and to havethem leave better than when they arrived
then maybe reconsider why you're doing it.
The second thing, make it plain.
Show up with your stories, show up with your key points.

(07:19):
Make sure that you are clear on how to make what you have to say clear.
Received and understood by the listener.
And now, sounding almost like I didn't fully commit to that last statement, let go.
and let it flow.

(07:39):
Even though you will be very prepared with knowing the audience, you will be very preparedwith your points and your stories, lean into the journey, allow the podcast hosts to keep
you fresh and connected with your delivery and keep you engaging and purposeful in theconversation that you're both putting together for an amazing audience.

(08:07):
an amazing community that after this experience that you have could actually be thecommunity that supports you in the thing that you want to do.
Podcasting is a powerful tool.
I started podcasting as a mentor to many wonderful people over a lot of years in acorporate career.

(08:29):
And what I found is in podcasting,Not only was I able to extend that reach to more people, but I was able to create a
community.
And over time, I began to understand the reason why they were there.
Now, when you're signing up for a podcast, you make sure that whoever has asked you orwhoever you're asking, because it can go both ways, let you know.

(09:03):
the secret to the community and the why.
So it's so much fun.
You're going to have so much fun.
Relax, enjoy.
And most importantly, remember that this simple gift of giving is going to pay off sogreatly.

(09:23):
Even if you touch just one listener, just one listener has the power to be the differencein a world.
that needs people that show up to be the difference.
wish you much success.
Enjoy your time as a guest on podcast and thank you for your service.

(09:43):
more episodes, please visit podmatch.com forward slash episodes.
Thank you so much for listening.