Episode 285 | Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast | Courtney Elmer

Featured Guest: Kelly Mosser

Kelly Mosser is the founder of Hell Yes Media, a consultancy that empowers bold, badass brands to create invincible content through Profitable Podcast Tours and adjacent media. Passionate about amplifying the voices of founders from historically underrepresented groups, Kelly and her team help these leaders go from 'hidden gem' to booked-out industry experts. As the host of the top 1% podcast Aligned Success, Kelly is dedicated to helping her clients amplify their thought leadership and create meaningful, lasting influence in their industries.

Here’s Exactly What to Say to Get Your Podcast Guests to Share Their Episode

Ever had a podcast guest with a big audience, and you’re stoked for them to share the episode to help grow your show — only for them to do NOTHING once it airs?! (Hint: it’s not because they’re lazy or forgetful.) In this episode, podcast guesting expert Kelly Mosser explains the surprising reason most podcast guests don’t share their episode, and what’s REALLY going through their mind before, during, and after the interview (and why this matters more than you think).

Read on to discover four strategies you can use right away to make your podcast guests feel comfortable and confident on air as well as what to say BEFORE you hit record so that they give you their best content. Plus, we’ll talk about how to stop your guest from rambling (without making it awkward), and what you can do after the interview to make sure they’re hyped to promote the episode — even if it airs weeks later.

So if you want to build stronger relationships with your podcast guests and turn them into advocates for your show, this one’s for you. Let’s dive in.

What’s Really Going Through Your Guest’s Mind Before the Interview

Even if your podcast guest is a pro who’s been on a ton of podcasts, it’s easy to assume they’re calm and collected because they’ve done it before. But like Kelly points out, every podcast guest has that same lingering fear: “What if I don’t do a good job?”

Surprisingly, this is the number one reason most guests don’t share their episode. It’s not because they’re lazy or they’re ashamed of your podcast — it’s because they don’t feel like they performed at their best and they’re ashamed of themselves.

It all comes down to human psychology. Think about it: if you got a B or a C on an exam when you knew you should’ve had an A, you’re not rushing to tell your parents. If you had a course launch that flopped, you’re not posting about it on IG stories. Same goes for your guest — if they walk away thinking, “I could’ve done better,” they’re not going to promote it. 

In fact, Kelly says it’s the opposite: “They’re not proud of it, so they don’t want to put it out there [at all].”

So, the big question is: how can you, as the host, help your podcast guests feel ultra-confident in their appearance on your podcast? Because even if they’ve done this a hundred times, they’ve likely never done an interview on your show, and every interview is a little different. How do you make sure they’re walking away feeling great about the episode so they’re eager to share it with their audience? Here’s what Kelly recommends: adequately preparing your guests before, during, and after the interview. 

The Most Effective Way to Prep Your Podcast Guests Before Their Interview

One of the biggest mistakes podcast hosts make? Not preparing their guests well enough before the interview. You don’t need to hand them a script, but you do need to give them a clear idea of what to expect — and reinforce this verbally, not just in the automated calendar reminders that go out beforehand.

Nothing derails the potential for an amazing interview faster than a lack of preparation. Prepare on your end, and make sure your guest is prepared too.

Before you hit record, give your guest a heads-up about the topics you'll cover. This doesn’t mean you need to map out every question word for word, but do outline the key points you want to hit, and if possible, share a few potential questions in advance. Kelly explains, “Just aligning on a main topic can go a long way. Even better if you can say, ‘Here are some potential questions I might ask, but you don’t need to have prepared answers — these are just ways I see the conversation going.’”

This not only helps your podcast guest focus on the right material but also takes the pressure off them to have all the answers ready. Plus, it helps avoid those awkward moments where the conversation stalls because they’re not sure what’s coming next.

Setting this level of expectation is a game-changer for your guest. When they feel prepped, they’ll show up more relaxed and confident. And as Kelly says, “If the guest feels like the conversation went well, they’re going to be excited to share it.” It really is that simple — but we’re humans and we like to overcomplicate things, which is why most hosts don’t take enough time to do this well.

The Most Important Thing to Say Before You Hit Record to Get Their Best Content

So you’ve prepped your podcast guest, outlined the key topics you want to hit, and shared a few potential questions — now it’s time to make sure they feel relaxed and ready. What you say right before you hit record can make all the difference in helping them deliver their best content.

Kelly recommends using this moment to explain how you handle mistakes. For shows that are edited, reassure them: “Tell your guest, ‘You’re going to do great, but if your brain goes blank or you flub something, no worries at all. We can just redo that part and edit it out.’” This immediately takes the pressure off and allows them to relax, knowing they don’t have to be perfect.

But what if your show isn’t heavily edited? You still want to make them feel comfortable. “Let them know that if they do stumble, it’s okay,” Kelly says. “If your show is more of a natural conversation and you don’t do much editing, tell them, ‘It’s fine if there’s a little flub or pause — don’t worry, we’ll just keep rolling with it. It makes it feel more human.’”

By clearly explaining how you handle these situations, you remove the anxiety that can come with trying to be “perfect” on air. Whether your show is polished or more conversational, giving your podcast guest a heads-up on what to expect helps them feel more at ease.

“When your guest knows what the expectations are, they’re going to feel so much more comfortable and confident going into the interview,” Kelly says. And when they feel good about the process, they’ll give you their best content — and show up as their best selves.

How to Help Your Guest Avoid Rambling (Without it Being Awkward)

One of the most common struggles for podcast guests is knowing when they’ve said enough. Kelly’s solution? Use hand signals.

Before the interview, tell your guest that when you feel they’ve nailed an answer, you’ll give them a nod or a thumbs-up. Kelly explains, “Podcast guests ramble because they’re waiting for a cue from the host that their answer was sufficient. They don’t want to leave anything out.” But a simple gesture like a nod or thumbs-up gives them the assurance they can go ahead and wrap up without over-explaining because they’ve answered well. 

This trick keeps the interview flowing and makes it easier for both you and your podcast guest to stay fully engaged. But more importantly, it prevents those long-winded responses that can make listeners tune out and stop listening altogether.

How to Get Your Podcast Guests Excited to Promote Their Episode (Even if It Airs Weeks Later)

So your guest has given you a great interview — but you’re not done. What you do when the interview ends will make or break your podcast guest’s decision to share it (or not). If you want them to promote the episode, you’ve got to get their full buy-in. Here’s how to do it:

1.  Point Out Why They Gave a Great Interview 
   
   Immediately after you stop recording (but before your guest leaves the interview room), recap the “wow” moments. Kelly points out that many guests struggle to recognize what was good about their interview because as the expert, they’re so familiar with the material. “You, as the host, know your audience better than the guest does,” Kelly says.
   
   So help them out! Right after the interview, highlight what you loved most about what they shared, and make sure they know what stood out. When they see the value they brought to the table, they’ll be much more excited to promote the episode to their audience.
   
   
2. Let Them Know What Comes Next
   
   This step is especially important if their episode doesn’t air for a few weeks (or months). Let your podcast guest know when to expect their episode to go live, and remind them that it’s never too late to promote an episode. Let them know how excited your audience will be to hear it as soon as it’s live.
   
   
3. The Day Their Episode Airs
   
   Surprisingly, many hosts don’t even notify their guests when their interview airs. I know — it sounds crazy, but it happens. Then there are hosts who treat the interview like an afterthought, sending a generic email with the episode link a week (or more) after it’s already gone live. #Sorrynotsorry, but if you don’t treat the interview like it’s the most exciting thing you’ve ever dropped on your podcast, your podcast guests won’t either.
   
   Instead, send your podcast guest an email on the day their episode airs, and remind them of the value they brought to the conversation. Let them know that podcast content is evergreen, so now is the perfect time to promote it—even if it’s been a while since recording. This can reignite their excitement about the episode and get them thinking about how to share it with their audience.
   
   
4. Make Promotion a No-Brainer

Make it as easy as possible for your podcast guest to share their episode. “When you hand them everything they need, it removes the friction of figuring out what to say,” Kelly explains. This means sending them pre-made assets like social media graphics, short-form video clips, and quotes from the episode. The easier it is, the more likely they are to share.

That said, remember that most podcast guests are busy, and your pre-made assets might not always match their brand aesthetic. To make it even simpler? Share the episode yourself and tag your podcast guest. This gives them a notification and makes it much easier (and more likely) for them to just hit “share,” immediately getting it out to their community in real time.

By taking a few extra steps before, during, and after your interview, you can turn your guests into real advocates for your podcast. Like Kelly says, it’s all about making them feel proud of the episode they’ve been a part of. From preparing them well before recording, to giving them the confidence to show up as their best self, to reminding them of the value they brought, each step you take can make a huge difference.

“Podcast guests who feel good about their interview are excited to share it because they know they’ve delivered something valuable,” Kelly explains. And when your guest promotes the episode? You’re not just getting a share — you’re getting access to a whole new audience that trusts them.

So here’s the takeaway: getting podcast guests to share their episode is about building stronger relationships with your guests. Help them feel proud of their appearance on your show, and they’ll want to reciprocate by sharing it with their audience (which brings you more listeners, more visibility, and more growth). Win win. 

And if you’re looking for more free podcasting advice on launching and scaling a bingeworthy top show that listeners can’t get enough of, follow Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast on your favorite app so you never miss a new episode.

Or, if you're ready for a proven strategy and hands-on guidance to help you create a Top 100 podcast that grows your business and turns listeners into clients, we’re here to help. Book a free strategy call with our team to find out if PodLaunch® is the right fit for you.

Up Next:

Speaking of podcast guests, in the next episode we’re breaking down how to choose the right guests from your podcast (and gracefully decline the ones who aren’t a right fit). We’ll also talk about why choosing wrong guests hurts your podcast growth, and I’ll share the exact process my team uses to vet guest pitches to make sure every guest we accept onto the show adds real value to the conversation. So if you’ve ever struggled with picking the right podcast guests — or even saying “no” to the wrong ones — don’t miss the next episode!