I’ve been conducting a whole lot of interviews for my book, Podcasting for Profit.
Because I’m deeply entrenched in this podcasting thing and because people know me, I’ve been getting some really meaty interviews. I can’t wait to produce a sample of each interview and especially the ones I did with Dave Slusher, Chris Pirillo, Robert Walch, Steve Garfield, Cali Lewis and Scott Bourne (among others).
Which brings me to the focus of this post.
I’ve started to ask my guest at the end of the interview how they feel. Nine times out of 10, the person will say, “I’m feeling good.” However, there is that one interview when my guest will say, “Please don’t publish that part I said about so-and-so,” or “I was mumbling alot at one point, could you clean it up before publishing?”
I will honour my guests and fulfill their wishes. If after asking how they feel about the interview they ask me not to publish something, I won’t. There are several reasons I do this:
- I’m not a reporter looking for the scoop.
- I’m not interested in embarassing anyone.
- I’d rather produce something that both myself and my guest feel comfortable with.
- I use my podcasts to build rapport, not to create rifts in the time space continuum (um, what does that mean, Leesa?).
People who follow what I do know that my goal is to encourage, enlighten and inspire. If I started acting like a shock jock in my podcasts or using my podcast to put people in uncomfortable positions, my audience will read right through it. Plus, I’ll start to attract the very people I don’t want to work with.
Some of you will say that this takes away from the authenticity of the podcast if we stop to ask our guests if there’s anything they said that they don’t want published.
On the contrary, I believe that getting your guest’s final permission helps to create that lasting relationship with your guest. Remember, a podcast isn’t BBC news.
Tags: interviewing tips, interviews, podcasting tips, podcasting, BBC, dave slusher, chris pirillo, rob walch, cali lewis, steve garfield, scott bourne, podcasting for profit
Leesa you didn’t ask me how I was feeling – but I was indeed feeling good. Can’t wait to hear the other interviews.
Equally as important to being positive is the theme and focus of your podcasts. It is NOT a newscast, as you point out, and the rules of engagement are significantly different…editing being just one.
Interviewees have an understanding and expectation when they agree to be engaged by a podcaster or news reporter. There is no line crossed when the rules are properly established (as you do) at the outset.
Best always,
Peter