Episode 291 - The Podcast Guest Playbook with Mark Leslie Lefebvre
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Mark Leslie Lefebvre discusses THE PODCAST GUEST PLAYBOOK, including tips and strategies for being an effective podcast guest, emphasizing the importance of understanding the host's perspective, making the process as easy as possible for the host, and focusing on the value you can provide to the audience—if you do that, the benefits will accrue to you naturally! We highlight the importance of the Three Ps—professionalism, preparedness, and politeness— throughout the process and share personal anecdotes and practical advice to help creators get the most out of their podcast guest appearances.
Mark Leslie Lefebvre is the author of more than twenty books that include fiction and thrillers, and paranormal non-fiction explorations. He has also edited numerous anthologies. With three decades of experience in bookselling and publishing, Mark is a seasoned and trusted book industry professional who embraces both traditional and indie publishing options.
Episode Links
https://books2read.com/playbook
Summary
In this episode of The Indy Author Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with Mark Leslie Lefebvre about the art and strategy of podcast guest appearances, drawing from their experiences and insights as both podcast hosts and guests. They explore various aspects of the podcast guesting journey, emphasizing the theme of providing value to the audience over self-promotion.
Mark and Matty delve into their shared experience of writing "The Podcast Guest Playbook," a book designed to help authors and industry professionals enhance their podcast guest appearances. They discussed the premise of turning podcast conversations into connections and community, aiming to provide practical tips drawn from their real-world experiences.
A significant portion of the discussion centers around understanding the host's perspective and the importance of approaching podcast guesting with a service mindset. Both Matty and Mark stress that the primary goal of being a podcast guest should be to offer value to the listeners. Mark highlights that if the conversation is engaging and informative, the promotional benefits will follow naturally.
Matty shares her insights on the efforts and labor involved in podcasting, noting that most podcast hosts are passionate about their work despite often minimal financial compensation. This makes the approach and interaction different from that with typical service providers, and respecting this effort enhances the guest-host dynamic.
The importance of identifying the right podcasts to target is another critical point of discussion. Mark emphasizes listening to episodes to understand the podcast's style and assessing whether it aligns with the value a guest can offer. Matty adds that assessing a podcast's engagement with its audience—rather than just its size—can guide a guest to more meaningful opportunities.
When it comes to making a pitch, Mark advises potential guests to tailor their pitches to highlight the value they can bring to the host's audience, rather than making generic or self-centered pitches. Matty suggests including detailed links and a demo reel if available, to make it easy for hosts to assess the guest's suitability.
Building rapport is seen as an ongoing process, starting from the first interaction through to the actual interview. Mark and Matty cover the importance of professionalism, preparedness, and politeness. Mark shares tips such as ensuring a distraction-free environment and attending to the conversation actively. Matty highlights the value of researching recent podcast episodes to tailor the conversation to the podcast's current themes and audience interests.
The duo also talks about amplifying the appearance after the recording, with suggestions such as sharing the episode widely and engaging with the podcast's community on social media. They emphasize making the promotion a continuous effort, not just a one-time share.
Throughout the conversation, Matty and Mark underscore the importance of enjoying the process. Mark reflects on the joy of discussing his work and engaging with new audiences, urging guests to remember why they were drawn to these opportunities in the first place.
The episode intertwines practical advice with lively, real-world anecdotes that illustrate the key points discussed, making it an informative guide for anyone looking to leverage podcast guest appearances as a tool for building their brand and community.