How to Land Interview Guests for Your Podcast or YouTube Series
One of the most powerful moves you can make when launching a podcast or YouTube interview series is bringing other people into the conversation. But how do you actually convince someone to say yes to your show — especially when you're just starting out? Whether you're eyeing well-known industry leaders or local community figures, landing great guests is both an art and a strategy. Here's everything you need to know about securing interviews and setting your guests up for success.
Why You Should Interview Guests in the First Place
You might be thinking, "I'm the expert. I don't need guests. It's going to be just me." And that's a perfectly valid approach — especially if you're already a recognized name in your field with an established audience. But if you're not in that position yet, consider this: how are people going to discover your podcast?
If you're not investing heavily in marketing or paid promotion, growing an audience from scratch can be a real challenge. This is where interviewing guests becomes a game-changer. Here's why:
- You tap into their audience. If you interview someone with 5,000 Twitter followers and they share the episode, your content is suddenly in front of 5,000 people who would never have heard of your podcast otherwise.
- You leverage their expertise. No matter how knowledgeable you are, someone else can always bring a fresh perspective or cover a topic you're less familiar with.
- You add variety for your listeners. Even if you are the primary expert on your show, bringing in a guest offers your audience a change of pace and keeps the content dynamic.
Don't Be Afraid to Reach Out
My first and most important tip is this: don't be scared or intimidated to reach out to the people you truly want to interview. It's easy to talk yourself out of it. You see someone speaking on a big stage at a conference and think, "There's no way they'd ever appear on my little podcast." But you'd be surprised.
Not everyone will say yes, but some will. Many speakers and thought leaders rely on events and platforms to get their message out. When those opportunities dry up — as they did dramatically in 2020 when countless events were cancelled — many of these individuals become more open to appearing on smaller, niche podcasts. Your show might reach an audience they wouldn't otherwise connect with, making it a genuine win-win.
And if someone with a well-known name agrees to be on your show? That instantly elevates your content and your credibility.
Do Your Research and Send a Thoughtful Message
The single most effective thing you can do to land a guest is invest time in research before you reach out. Learn about their work, their recent projects, and what they're passionate about. Then craft a thoughtful, personalized message that shows you've done your homework.
Don't worry if you don't have their email address. There are so many ways to reach people today:
- Twitter direct messages
- Instagram direct messages
- Facebook messages
- Contact forms on their website
- LinkedIn messages
If they say no or mention they're too busy, respond graciously. Something like, "Thanks so much for your consideration. I'd love to follow up in six months if your schedule opens up." You'd be surprised how often that simple follow-up down the road leads to a yes.
Start With People You Already Know
A separate — and often overlooked — strategy is to start with people you already have a relationship with. Depending on your niche, this might mean interviewing local figures in your community who are influential in specific areas.
I've seen this work beautifully for realtors, for example, who create a series like "20 Favorite Businesses in 20 Days." They go around their community interviewing shop owners and local entrepreneurs. The results are fantastic for everyone involved:
- The guests benefit because it's essentially free advertising for their business.
- You benefit because you get compelling content with built-in local interest.
- Your audience benefits because they get to learn the story behind their favorite coffee shop or boutique — stories they'd never hear otherwise.
Through your content, you become a storyteller for your community, and that's incredibly powerful.
Preparing Your Guest for the Interview
Once you've secured a guest — whether it's someone you already know or a big name who has you buzzing with excitement — your job isn't done. You need to make sure your guest is fully prepared.
Start by giving them a clear heads-up of what to expect. Key things to communicate include:
- Live vs. pre-recorded: A live podcast or interview series carries a different level of pressure than a pre-recorded one. Pre-recorded gives your guest the comfort of a safety net. Neither format is inherently better, but make sure your guest knows which one they're walking into.
- The platform you'll be using: Whether it's Zoom, Zencastr, or something else, let your guest know in advance. Most people are familiar with Zoom by now, but platforms like Zencastr may require a quick explanation.
- Equipment requirements: Let them know they'll need headphones to prevent audio feedback, and ideally a decent microphone. If they're using earbuds with a built-in mic, remind them of small details — like making sure long hair isn't brushing against the microphone. In a podcast, sound is everything, and a distracting scratchy noise can ruin an otherwise great conversation.
The goal is simple: set your guest up for success so the interview sounds as good as it possibly can.
After the Interview: Keep the Momentum Going
Your relationship with the guest shouldn't end when the recording stops. Post-interview communication is just as important as the outreach that landed the interview. Here's what to do:
- Set expectations on timing. Let them know when the episode will be published so they're not left wondering.
- Request a professional photo. Ask for their favorite headshot or professional image. Use it to create episode art and social media graphics that promote the episode across multiple platforms.
- Share promotional assets with them. Send your guest the finished graphics, links, and any other content they can easily share with their own audience.
- Encourage them to promote the episode. At the end of the day, you want your interviewee sharing the episode just as enthusiastically as you are. Their audience is a new pool of potential listeners who might never have found your content otherwise.
Conclusion
Landing great interview guests isn't about having a massive audience or a polished pitch deck. It's about being genuine, doing your research, and making the experience as smooth and rewarding as possible for your guests. Don't let intimidation hold you back from reaching out to the people you admire. Start with the connections you already have, be gracious when someone can't make it work, and always follow up. When you treat your guests well — before, during, and after the interview — they become advocates for your content, and that's one of the most organic and powerful ways to grow your podcast or YouTube series.