These days, it’s more common to be interviewed over a zoom call than in person. Obviously, you should arrive on time and make sure all your equipment is working properly. But here are a few things to keep in mind.

Brevity is your Friend

Most podcasts want to keep an entertaining pace. Do your best to answer the question as succinctly as possible and let the podcast host tease the details out that are relevant to their audience. You don’t want to waste all of your airtime with unnecessary details or meandering thoughts. Pick a point you want to make, make it, and prepare yourself for the next question.

Be Open, But Know Your Limits

Do your best to tell the whole truth when someone asks you a question. Share your spicy opinion, wild story, or industry secret. That’s what gives real value to the listener and makes you stand out. That being said – if you get a question that makes you uncomfortable, you can always politely decline by saying something like “I’d rather not discuss that” or “Let’s change the subject.”

Recommended Equipment for Being a Remote Podcast Guest

You don’t need an expensive production studio to be a podcast guest, but a decent microphone and lighting (if they record video content) will add a lot of professionalism for everyone involved.

I have 3 LED light panels and a desktop microphone that I love, but even just making sure that you are lit well, have a tidy background, and reducing background noise will get you there. I use the following setup:

Portable LED Light Panels for Podcasting: LED Streaming Key Lights

Best Affordable Desktop Microphone: Blue Yeti Nano Premium USB Mic

High-Quality Lavalier Microphone I use: Rode Smart Lav+

The bonus is that you can use these lights and microphones for any future zoom calls or content you produce on your own!

Practice telling your story and talking about your business as much as you can.

If you’re not a natural storyteller or tend to freeze when you know you’re being recorded – the only way out is through. Take small bites at first but start facing your fear one day at a time. Practice by finding the least terrifying way to improve your speaking skills. You could try:

Going live on social media – If you have a service based business or information product, you can practice going live on social media every now and then to answer questions or teach a workshop.

Booking zoom calls with new business connections – There are a ton of nice folks in the Idea Collective who are willing to sip some coffee and chat over zoom. This low-pressure environment with a peer can be a great place to practice confidently sharing your story and what you love to do.

Host a small local workshop – many organizations are looking for speakers. Try setting up a small event at a local venue or co-working space to boost your public speaking skills.

Record videos for YouTube or Instagram – If talking to people freaks you out, you can always start by locking yourself in your office and recording short videos about your business or expertise. Practice doing fewer takes and only editing out the “ums” and “ahs” to get better at your elevator pitch and talking points. You don’t even have to publish it, but if you do, you might find some new followers!

Practice writing what you know – If speaking is intimidating, practice writing what you know. You can keep it in your journal or format it for a blog post, linkedin newsletter, or even an email marketing campaign. If it helps you to have some notes available when you’re being interviewed, you can always go back to your talking points and goals if you forget what you wanted to say.

Say hello to someone new at a networking event – sometimes, introducing ourselves to a stranger can be really nerve-wracking. When I started networking, I would have panic attacks and had to do my best “power poses” in the bathroom before going into a room full of strangers. My advice is to find someone who is standing on the sidelines, and ask them an easy question.

“Hey, is this your first time at one of these events?” ”Where did you get your nails done?” ”How did you hear about this event? It’s my first time here!”

Don’t be afraid to admit that you’re nervous (if you are!) and make a new friend. Save someone else from the agony of not knowing how to network by breaking the ice first. You’ll both be glad you did!