10 lessons I've learnt from being on 25 podcasts

This week alone, I recorded 3 podcasts - 2 in person and 1 online!

On Tuesday, I was invited by Singaporean actress & celebrity Joanne Peh, to be on her podcast "What do I know?" (Episode will be released soon!)

Podcast hosts typically approach me to share my thoughts on topics related to happiness, mental health and flourishing workplaces.

Every podcast host has a different style - some are ultra structured, while some are super in the flow.

If you're going on a podcast for the first time, or are looking for some general tips to ace as a guest, this could help you!

1. Research the host & audience. I always spend time to understand the host and their audience, so that I can connect more intimately with them. For example, in Joanne's podcast, the listener profile was quite varied, so I shared examples pertaining to the workplace, home and even my personal life. Sometimes, it is very workplace driven and I bring in more statistics.
2. Be prepared but not over prepared. Scripted answers can sound very unnatural, and even more so stories that sound like you're just narrating it, rather than being present with it. It might be best to have some key points or ideas with you, but then allow some fluidity in the moment. If you're on a podcast that is very factual, then it's important to read up on the articles or reports the host would like to discuss.
3. Dress professionally. Of course, depending on the setting, you can range from being ultra spiffy to being super casual. But if you're on a podcast representing your business, it's still important to be professional. And depending on the setup, they might ask you to clip on a mic, so for the ladies, I've found it helpful to wear pants/jeans so they can clip on the mic-receiver. If you're online, make sure you've got a nice virtual background and or real environment behind.
4. Use a good mic. If you're doing it online, it would be good to have a good mic as the built in laptop ones may echo (especially if you're in a closed room). And of course, ensure that your wifi signal is strong!
5. Speak slowly. Some of you might have the tendency to speak very quickly, but it may not give the listener sufficient time to absorb your points. This doesn't mean you have to speak so slowly till they have to put you on 1.5x speed. The point is to be well understood.
6. Don't ramble. You may have a point to make and it might take a while for the point to get there, but rambling can make it hard for the listener and for the host to get back to the main focus. Keep your answers succinct and elaborate only if you are further probed.
7. Summarize some key points. If you've shared a few ideas, it might feel instinctive to you because you know the topic so well. But listeners may not, so it would help if you make a quick one-liner to tie everything together. Or you could even say, "The first key takeaway is.. the second is..." It helps those who need a bit more structure or anchors while listening.
8. Open up if you feel safe to. Depending on the host and audience, you could possibly go deep. If you're willing to share some stories that are personal, by all means, do. But know that you don't have to if you're not ready. Also, remember that there's such a thing as over-sharing - not all audiences are ready for a very vulnerable share without much preparation. It can take them by surprise.
9. Embody your brand. If you have some questions you think would make for a good answer or add value to the podcast, don't be afraid to add it in. If you dress a certain way or in a certain colour, show up in that. Drop in your company name as you're talking - not in your face - in a way that makes sense. For example, in your origin story, I would say, "When I first started... then I set up Happiness Scientists..."
10. Thank the crew. For some of the podcasts, there is a video crew and or an audio crew. Don't simply focus on the host, because without good audio or video, many podcasts likely won't get listened to. They are usually THE experts in managing the overall quality of the output! Recognise their efforts too :)

So there you have it! Be a good podcast guest, and one could lead to another and another. In fact, I have gotten many referrals to be on podcasts simply by showing up using the 10 tips above.

It has led to even more opportunities for my business:

🙌 New clients

🙌 Media features (for FREE)

🙌 Collaborations with others

If you've been on podcasts as well, what can you add? If you're a podcast host, what have your guests done that have worked well (or not?).

Would love to hear from you!

𝘏𝘪, 𝘐'𝘮 𝘚𝘩𝘢-𝘌𝘯, 𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵! 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭-𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘴𝘺𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘶𝘮𝘢-𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴.

DM me for:

⭐️ 1-1 coaching - feeling unstuck, lost or looking for greater work-life balance

⭐️ Speaking engagements - keynotes at your events or conferences

⭐️ Training workshops - to equip your leaders on positive leadership and communication skills, so they can support their team members to balance performance and well-being

⭐️ Podcast guest - speaking about happiness, mental health and flourishing at work

Watch/listen to some of my other guest appearances:

🔥 Deep Talks with Petr Ludwig

🔥 Mentally Healthy Workplaces with FlourishDx

🔥 Better World of Work podcast

🔥 The Financial Coconut podcast

🔥 Wholehearted Podcast with Coen Tan