How to Research Podcast Guests: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want better podcast interviews? Here's exactly how to research guests in 60 minutes or less:

Step	Time	What to Do
Basic Background	15 min	Check LinkedIn + website
Recent Activity	15 min	Review social media posts
Past Interviews	15 min	Listen to 1-2 recent podcasts
Current Projects	15 min	Find latest work + updates

Here's what actually matters when researching guests:

• Their current work and projects
• Topics they know deeply
• Recent social media activity
• Past podcast appearances
• Areas of expertise

Skip the fluff like:

• Old job history
• Personal hobbies
• Awards from years ago
• Basic background info

The key? Focus on finding things other hosts missed. Listen to their recent interviews and look for topics they haven't covered much - that's your gold mine for fresh questions.

Want to save time? Use AI tools like GuestLab to cut research time by 75%. But always verify the facts yourself.

Quick tip: Make a simple one-page cheat sheet with:

• Name pronunciation
• Current role
• Latest projects
• Expert topics
• Past podcast spots

This guide breaks down the exact process, tools, and templates you need to research guests efficiently - without spending hours digging through Google.

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Building Your Research Plan

Here's how to create a research plan that helps you find the right guest details - without spending hours digging around.

Setting Research Goals

You need specific info about each guest. Here's what matters:

Research Area	What to Find
Background	Career path, education, big wins
Current Work	New projects, launches, speaking gigs
Online Presence	Social media posts, articles, LinkedIn
Media History	Podcast spots, interviews, talks
Core Knowledge	Main topics they know inside-out
Key Points	Strong opinions, fresh takes, debate topics

Make a simple spreadsheet to track:

• How to reach them
• Research progress
• When they're booked
• Next steps

Picking Your Research Tools

Pick tools you'll actually use:

Tool Type	What It Does	Example
AI Help	Fast guest research	GuestLab ($0-$500/mo)
Social Watch	Find mentions	Awario
Guest Search	Meet experts	PodcastGuests.com
Task Tools	Keep organized	Asana, Trello
Show Plan	Map episodes	Alitu Showplanner (Free)

The basics you need:

• Spreadsheet
• Browser bookmarks
• Notes app
• Calendar

"Start on the same page and your show will flow better." - Stephanie Judice, Author

Quick tip: Check out PodcastGuests.com - they've got experts in 50+ topics.

Set up these folders:

• Guest info
• Research
• Questions
• Show plans
• Follow-ups

Main Research Steps

Here's how to dig up the good stuff about your podcast guests that'll make your episodes pop.

Work History Check

LinkedIn is your best friend here. It's where most guests show their full career story:

What to Check	Why It Matters
Current Role	What they're doing right now
Past Jobs	How they got where they are
Education	What they studied
Skills	Their expert topics
Awards	Their biggest achievements

Drop those profile links in a folder - you'll thank yourself later.

Online Presence Review

Here's where to spy on what your guest is up to:

Platform	What to Look For
Twitter	Hot takes and current thoughts
Facebook	Work updates
Instagram	Personal side of things
YouTube	Talks and presentations
Spotify	Other podcast appearances

Here's a trick that works: Listen to 2-3 podcasts they've done recently. Look for topics they HAVEN'T talked about much - that's your gold mine.

Published Work Search

Time to find what they've put out there:

Content Type	Where to Look
Blog Posts	Their site, Medium
Articles	Google News
Books	Amazon, Goodreads
Videos	YouTube, Vimeo
Talks	Conference sites

Make a simple list of:

• Links to their best stuff
• Points they keep making
• What they're into now
• Questions nobody's asked them yet

"Getting on the same page from the start will help with the flow of the show." - Stephanie Judice, Author

Pro Move: Check out PodcastGuests.com - you'll find experts in 50+ topics and see where else they've shown up.

Keep it organized with folders for each guest:

• LinkedIn profile (saved as PDF)
• Social media spots
• Content samples
• Notes from other shows

Using AI Tools for Research

AI tools can cut your guest research time by 75%. Here's how to make it happen.

Using GuestLab

GuestLab transforms LinkedIn profiles into podcast-ready materials. Here's what each plan includes:

Feature	Free Plan	Pro Plan ($30/mo)
Guests per Month	1	10
AI Intros	1	1
Topic Ideas	10	10
Questions	20	20
Past Episodes Library	No	5M+ episodes
LinkedIn Activity	No	Yes
PDF Downloads	No	Yes

Want to test it out? Start with the free plan. Once you're doing weekly shows, the Pro plan makes more sense.

Other AI Tools to Try

Here's what works for faster research:

Tool	Price	Best For
ChatGPT	Free - $20/mo	Question ideas, topic brainstorming
Copy.ai	$36/mo	Turning interviews into show notes
Dux-Soup	Varies	LinkedIn outreach automation
Magai	Contact for pricing	Show structure planning

Want to save even MORE time? Here's a simple 3-step process:

1. Put your guest's past interviews into Copy.ai
2. Let the AI find the main points
3. Get 10 new questions in seconds

What works best:

• ChatGPT spots angles other shows missed
• Dux-Soup handles LinkedIn research
• Magai helps plan your show flow

Want to step up your game? Build a Custom GPT for guest research. Feed it:

• Past interviews
• Social posts
• Published work

This turns hours of research into minutes.

"By implementing AI automation, I reduced the time spent on guest outreach, research, interview prep, and promotion by 75%."

But here's the thing: AI does the heavy lifting, but you NEED to check its work. Always verify facts and add your personal touch to questions.

Creating Interview Materials

Here's how to build your interview toolkit from your research.

Writing Guest Summaries

Create a one-page cheat sheet to reference during your show:

Section	What to Include
Key Facts	Name, title, company, location
Background	Work history, main wins
Recent Work	Current projects, new releases
Social Media	Active channels, audience size
Past Shows	Other podcast features
Topics	Expert knowledge areas

Keep it simple - you'll need to glance at it while talking.

Writing Good Questions

Your questions can make your show stand out. Here's what works:

Question Type	Example	Why It Works
Opening	"What got you started in [field]?"	Sets the stage
Follow-up	"How did that lead to [next step]?"	Goes deeper
Story-based	"What happened when [event]?"	Pulls out stories
Opinion	"What's your take on [trend]?"	Shows know-how
Action	"What steps would you suggest?"	Gives value

"Our job as interviewers is to specifically pull out information that hasn't been shared on other shows." - Travis Brown, HitPublish

"The goal of every interview is to get the guest to reveal or share something nobody has ever heard." - Brandon Copple, Descript Director of Content Marketing

Make your questions count:

• Drop yes/no questions
• Mark follow-up spots
• Note key topics
• Let guests tell stories
• Close with "What did I miss?"

Quick tip: Share 3-4 main questions before the show. Your guest can prep, but the talk stays natural.

Here's how to structure questions that get better answers:

1. Open wide ("Tell me about...")

2. Zero in ("What exactly did you...")

3. Get examples ("Can you walk us through...")

4. End with next steps ("What should listeners do first...")

The BEST questions? They come from listening to your guest, not reading your list.

Talking to Guests Before Recording

Here's how to prep your podcast guests for a smooth recording:

Setting Clear Guidelines

Send your guests an email 48 hours before the show. Here's what to include:

Item	Details to Include
Tech Setup	Mic specs, internet needs, backup plan
Recording Space	Quiet room, minimal echo, closed door
Show Format	Duration, flow, question types
Topics	Key points, any off-limits subjects
Promotion	Social media, web links, latest work

"Most guests want to know what's coming up in the conversation. Nobody likes surprise questions that catch them off guard." - MatchMaker.fm

Before recording, ask guests to:

• Check their mic and camera
• Shut down extra apps
• Turn off phone alerts
• Use ethernet connection
• Keep phone handy as backup

Planning Interview Times

Here's how to schedule guests without the hassle:

Step	What to Do	Tool Options
1. Book Time	Share calendar link	SavvyCal, Calendly
2. Follow Up	Send auto-email	ScheduleOnce
3. Test Tech	Quick 10-min check	Zoom
4. Add Buffer	15 mins before/after	Block calendar

Here's a smart move: Jump on a 10-min call before the show. You'll spot tech problems and break the ice.

Keep guests in the loop with this timeline:

When	What
Right After Booking	Confirm + show details
1 Week Out	Topics + tech needs
48 Hours Out	Final prep + login info
1 Hour Out	Quick ping + backup phone

"Sound quality makes or breaks your show. Clean audio helps listeners stay focused on your message." - John Corcoran, Rise25

Don't forget: Share your phone number for emergencies. Tech can fail - having Plan B keeps things moving.

Keeping Research Organized

Here's how to set up a simple system for your podcast research that actually works:

Core Filing Structure

Your podcast needs 4 main folders:

Folder	Contents	Where
Episodes	Audio, video, notes	Google Drive
Guest Info	Bio, links, interviews	Evernote/Notion
Templates	Emails, forms	One Drive
Show Guide	Mission, voice, rules	Google Docs

Quick Tip: Label episode folders with numbers (001, 002) to keep them in order.

Here's the exact system Stacey Brown Randall uses to track her interviews:

What to Track	Why It Matters
Episode #	Find episodes fast
Guest Name	Main reference
Record Date	Track schedule
Live URL	Find published show
Host Info	Contact details
Follow-up	Track thank you notes

Finding What You Need

These tools make guest research a breeze:

Tool	Perfect For	Main Benefit
Milanote	Visual content	Save articles fast
Trello	Track progress	List-based workflow
Airtable	Master dashboard	Everything linked
Google Drive	Store files	Auto-saves work

"When you do enough research, the story almost writes itself. Lines of development spring loose and you'll have choices galore." - Robert McKee, Author

Name Your Files Like This:

• Guest + date (smith_jane_2024_01_20)
• Episode # (#125_smith_jane)
• Content type (interview_prep_smith)

Keep everything current:

• Save articles with Web Clipper
• Take notes on your phone
• Back up to the cloud
• Update guest details post-recording

Pro Move: Copy Stacey Brown Randall's spreadsheet system. Track every interview detail in one spot.

"By keeping systems simple, there is less of a possibility for mistakes." - Stacey Brown Randall, Expert in Generating Referrals

Double-Checking Your Work

Here's how to nail your podcast guest research before you hit record.

Checking Facts

Want better interviews? Double-check EVERYTHING. Here's how:

Step	Action	Tool to Use
1. Mark Facts	Highlight claims in your notes	Google Docs
2. Find Sources	Go to original info	Official websites
3. Check Names	Get spellings and titles right	LinkedIn
4. Log Sources	Track where facts came from	Spreadsheet
5. Fix Errors	Clean up wrong info	Research doc

What should you check? Focus on:

• Job titles (current ones matter most)
• Company names (spelling is key)
• Awards they've won
• Books they've written
• Work history
• Speaking events

Final Research Review

Here's what you NEED before the show starts:

Info	Source	Why
How to say their name	Ask them	Shows you care
Latest work	LinkedIn/website	Keeps things fresh
What they know best	Past interviews	Better questions
What they want	Pre-show form	Match goals
Tech details	Guest survey	Sound good

Before you start:

• Get their topics in writing
• Learn their name (say it right!)
• Know their main points
• Check what's new with them
• Test every link

Here's what works:

• One checklist to rule them all
• Set those reminders
• Keep files in one spot
• Back up everything
• Update info NOW (not later)

Bottom line: Better prep = better shows. Take the time to check twice.

Tips for Better Research

Here's how to do guest research that gets results - without spending all day doing it.

Managing Your Time

Want to know the fastest way to research guests? Here's your 1-hour game plan:

Time Block	Task	Tool
First 15 mins	Quick social scan	LinkedIn, Twitter
Next 30 mins	Deep work history	Company websites
Last 15 mins	Recent updates	Google News

Here's what works:

• Set a 1-hour max for each guest
• Block your calendar for research time
• Group similar tasks
• Check emails at fixed times

"When you begin your day by reading messages, you are prioritizing other people's requests before taking action towards your long-term goals." - Dora Farkas, PhD, Founder of the Finish Your Thesis Academy

Focus on What Matters

Let's cut to what ACTUALLY matters:

Must-Know Info	Skip This
Latest work projects	Old school details
Speaking topics	Personal hobbies
Recent media hits	Past awards
Current job role	Past job titles
Key expertise areas	General skills

These tools make research WAY faster:

Tool	Best For
BuzzSumo	Finding recent content
Awario	Checking social mentions
Trello	Task tracking
Airtable	Guest info dashboard

Make a 5-7 point checklist for each guest. That's it.

Speed up your process:

• Create research templates
• Set up Google Alerts
• Keep guest info in one place
• Add 50% buffer time

Bottom line: You don't need to know EVERYTHING about your guest. You just need to know the RIGHT things.

Wrap-Up

Here's exactly how to start researching podcast guests:

Week	What to Do	Tools You'll Need
Week 1	Build basic templates	Excel or Airtable
Week 1	Create guest questions	Google Forms
Week 2	Test your system	BuzzSumo
Week 3	Fix what's not working	PodcastGuests.com

Start with these 4 things:

• A simple dashboard for guest info
• Google Alerts for each guest
• 10-15 go-to questions
• A basic pre-show checklist

Make Your Research Better

Here's what to measure:

What to Track	How to Track It	What to Do Next
Time spent	Minutes per guest	Drop time-wasting steps
Guest input	Quick post-show survey	Change questions that fall flat
Download numbers	Episode stats	Book similar guests that worked
Show quality	Interview smoothness	Focus on better research areas

"Interviewing is like any other skill - you need to practice it." - Jennifer Furlong, Communication and Media Specialist

Focus on these things:

Do This	Don't Do This
Look at their latest work	Dig up old stuff
Read recent social posts	List old jobs
Study how they talk	Get too personal
Focus on main topics	Chase random facts

Your research will get better with each guest. Keep what works. Drop what doesn't. And always think about what your listeners want to hear.

FAQs

How to research a guest for a podcast?

Want to prep for your next podcast guest? Here's what you need to do:

Research Area	What to Check	Time to Spend
Website	Products, services, expertise	15-20 mins
Social Media	Recent posts, interests	30-45 mins
Published Work	Books, articles, blog posts	1-2 hours
Past Podcasts	Previous interviews, talking style	30 mins

The key? Don't just skim the surface. Dig deeper:

Focus Area	Why It Matters
Recent Social Posts	Shows what they care about NOW
Past Podcast Episodes	Helps you ask fresh questions
Detailed Notes	Makes your interview flow better
Current Projects	Keeps the chat up-to-date

Here's what podcast pros say about research:

"Smart people know you've done your research. They know you've been stalking them on Facebook and Twitter. They know you've been to their website. Yet, they appreciate you doing that little bit of extra work." - Stephanie Judice, Author

"Researching your guest allows you to familiarize yourself with their work from a different vantage point." - Sam Datta-Paulin, ex-journalism teacher and executive producer at Lower Street

Quick Tip: Keep a note-taking app open while you research. When something catches your eye, write down a question right away. Your future self will thank you during the interview.