A great podcast interview starts before you ever hit “Record.” Whether you’re using Zoom, Riverside, SquadCast, or any other remote platform, your guest’s preparation directly affects audio quality, pacing, and the overall professionalism of your show. Prepare your guests for their podcasting experience. Your guests may have never used an external microphone or adjusted input settings before. All of your guests will appreciate clear guidance.

I have a few, older blogs which might serve to supplement and flesh out the process of preparing your guests. Check these out:

In this blog, I’ll try to outline some basic things you might discuss with your guests in advance of your recording session, followed by a downloadable checklist you can share with your guests. This writeup assumes you’re recording online, and not in person. Providing a simple, friendly prep process not only improves your final recording, it also makes your guest feel cared for, confident, and ready to shine.

Table of Contents

Set Expectations Early

My sessions always start with a quick, preliminary phone call which sometimes happens months prior to the recording session. But at a minimum, send your guest a welcome email as soon as the recording is scheduled. Include:

What the conversation will cover.
The expected recording length.
The platform you will use (Zoom or similar).
The type of microphone setup recommended.
Your timeline for release.

This reassures the guest and helps them mentally prepare for the style, tone, and direction of the episode.

Provide a Simple Tech Guide

Many guests may be calling in from laptops with mixed audio quality. You can gently steer them toward better sound by offering clear, non-technical tips:

Use the best microphone available (USB or headset if possible).
Do not use Bluetooth earbuds. They drift and compress audio.
Plug the computer directly into a power source. Never record using battery power.
Restart one’s computer before the session.
Close all apps except the recording platform.

The fewer distractions and background processes, the better their audio fidelity. Lighten the computer’s load, and you’ll get a better recording while reducing the likelihood of technological problems.

Prep Their Environment

Even the best mic can’t fix a noisy room. Offer a few friendly reminders:

Record in a quiet, carpeted room if possible.
Avoid large, echoey spaces.
Silence phones, notifications, and nearby devices.
Ask anyone in the home or office to avoid noisy activity during the session.
If they must record near a window, close it.

Most guests appreciate these specifics. They may not think of these things on their own.

Make the Guest Feel Comfortable On Camera

Even when video won’t be used in the final production, video during the recording helps capture natural conversation cues. Prepare your guests:

Ensure lighting is in front of them, not behind.
Sit at eye level with the camera.
Choose a clean or neutral background.
Disable virtual backgrounds unless their computer is powerful.

Good posture and good lighting help them feel confident, even if you’ll only use audio.

Give Them a Roadmap for the Conversation

Send a brief rundown. Not a script. Overprepared guests sound stiff, but completely unprepared guests may ramble. Clarify in advance:

3–5 main questions or themes.
Names and spellings of anyone you may reference.
Any “must mention” resources or links you’ll ask about.
The general emotional tone (informational, casual, storytelling, etc.).

Guests relax when they know what’s coming.

Build in Buffer Time

Encourage guests to join 10–15 minutes early:

This allows for tech checks.
Gives time to test microphone input.
Lets you troubleshoot connection issues.
Helps warm up rapport before the recording begins.

A quick sound-check is worth ten times its weight in post-production editing. Just yesterday I did a recording with a guest who KNEW how to use her equipment. But she didn’t know her nice mic wasn’t plugged in. Thank you, sound-check.

Let Them Know What Happens After the Recording

Guests appreciate knowing:

When the episode will be released.
Whether they’ll receive promo materials or audiograms.
If you want them to share the episode.
Whether they can request edits or corrections.

Prepare Your Guests

Download this Guest Checklist for Remote Recording >>

Clarity shows professionalism and builds trust. When you give guests the tools, expectations, and confidence they need before the recording ever starts, you’re not just preventing tech problems, you’re elevating the entire conversation. A well-prepared guest feels respected, capable, and ready to share openly. The result is a smoother session, richer insights, and an episode that reflects the intentional craft of a host who understands production is more than pressing “record.”

Download this Guest Checklist for Remote Recording >>

Contact The Podcast Wizard

Need a little more guidance? That’s what Podcast Wizardry is here for. Drop us a DM on our LinkedIn page. We’re happy to help you make the most of your production.