The UK Podcaster's Honest Guide to Sending Questions to Guests

It's a question almost every podcast host grapples with: should you send your interview questions to guests beforehand? It's a real balancing act between preparation and spontaneity, and there's no single 'right' answer that fits all situations. At Audio & Co. We've helped countless UK businesses and individuals fine-tune their interview approach, and we've learned a thing or two about making those conversations shine.

Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of pre-interview guest prep, offering you a plain-English, UK-focused perspective that will help you decide what’s best for your unique podcast.

The Great Podcast Guest Question Dilemma

When you're welcoming a guest onto your show, you want them to feel comfortable, prepared, and ready to share valuable insights. As a host, you're striving for that perfect blend of informative content and engaging, natural conversation. The core of this dilemma lies in how much you arm your guest with information about the upcoming chat.

On one hand, giving someone the questions in advance seems like good manners, right? It shows respect for their time and expertise, allowing them to gather their thoughts, data, or anecdotes. This can lead to more polished, articulate answers. On the other hand, a fully scripted interview can feel stiff, losing that spark of genuine discovery and spontaneous banter that makes for truly compelling listening. It’s a genuine sticking point for many, so let's break down the different approaches.

Why Sending Questions in Advance Can Work Wonders

There are definite advantages to providing your guests with a list of questions, or at least a detailed brief, ahead of time. This approach isn't about creating a robotic Q&A; it’s about enabling your guest to perform at their best. Here's why it often pays off:

• Thoughtful, Detailed Responses: Guests have time to research facts, pull out specific examples, and craft their answers. This can lead to richer, more informative content, especially if your podcast look at complex or technical subjects.
• Reduced Guest Anxiety: For many people, being interviewed can be a daunting experience. Knowing what to expect significantly reduces nerves, allowing them to relax and be themselves. A relaxed guest is often a more engaging guest.
• Staying on Track: Advanced questions can help keep the conversation focused on your desired topics, preventing tangents that might not serve your episode's goals. This is particularly useful for niche podcasts or those with specific learning outcomes.
• Better for Specific Formats: If your podcast requires guests to tell particular stories, explain intricate processes, or share specific data, advanced questions are almost essential. It allows them to organise their thoughts into a coherent narrative.
• High-Profile or Time-Strapped Guests: Celebrities, busy executives, or leading experts often appreciate, and sometimes expect, a clear agenda. Their time is precious, and they'll want to make sure they can deliver what you need efficiently.

While giving guests the questions offers numerous benefits, the key is how you frame it. It's not about memorised answers, but about giving them the tools to contribute their very best to your show.

The Art of Spontaneity: When Not to Send Questions

Conversely, a completely unscripted, spontaneous conversation can yield incredible podcast moments. The magic often happens when the host and guest genuinely react to each other, creating an authentic flow that listeners love. Here's why some hosts prefer to keep their questions under wraps until the recording starts:

• Authentic, Natural Conversation: Without pre-prepared answers, guests are more likely to speak off-the-cuff, leading to a more natural, organic dialogue that mirrors a real-life chat. This can feel incredibly engaging for listeners.
• Unexpected Insights: A spontaneous interview can unearth fascinating anecdotes or perspectives that wouldn't emerge from a structured Q&A. The host's genuine curiosity drives the conversation into uncharted, often more interesting, territory.
• Better for Personality-Driven Shows: If your podcast thrives on personality, humour, or a casual, conversational tone, spontaneity is usually key. It allows the guest's true character to shine through, creating a stronger connection with your audience.
• Host Agility: This approach demands a highly skilled, attentive host who can listen actively, pivot quickly, and ask insightful follow-up questions in the moment. When done well, it showcases the host's talent beautifully.
• Avoiding Stiff Delivery: Guests who are given questions in advance might feel compelled to stick to their written answers, sometimes reading them out. This can make the interview sound less like a conversation and more like a rehearsed presentation, which can be disengaging.

Opting for spontaneity requires confidence in your hosting abilities and a guest who is comfortable thinking on their feet. It’s a brave choice that can deliver fantastic results if executed well.

The Smart Hybrid Approach: A UK Podcaster's Favourite

At Audio & Co. We often find that the most effective strategy for many UK podcasters lies in a hybrid approach. It’s about striking that balance, giving your guest enough information to feel prepared without stifling the natural flow of conversation. This often provides the best of both worlds:

1. Send Key Themes or Topics, Not Exact Questions: Instead of a list of 10 specific questions, provide 3-5 broad themes or areas you'd like to cover. For example, 'We'll be discussing your journey into X, key challenges in Y industry, and your advice for aspiring Zs.' This allows the guest to think about their stories and insights within those frameworks, without scripting exact answers.
2. Provide 2-3 Core 'Anchor' Questions: You might share just a couple of the most crucial questions you plan to ask, perhaps the opening question and one or two 'big picture' ones. This gives the guest a solid starting point and ensures you hit your most important points.
3. Offer a Brief Outline of the Interview Flow: Explain what to expect. 'We'll start with a relaxed chat about your background, then move into your expertise, and finish with a quickfire round or a call to action.' Knowing the structure helps guests orient themselves.
4. Emphasise 'Conversational' Rather Than 'Interview': Remind your guests that it's a chat, not an interrogation. Reassure them that you'll be reacting to their answers and asking follow-up questions organically, so they shouldn't feel tied to specific phrasing.
5. A Pre-Call Chat: Our /podcast-management clients often benefit immensely from a brief 10-15 minute pre-recording call with their guest. This casual chat can cover the topics, answer any guest questions, and build rapport. It often negates the need for a full question list because the guest feels comfortable and knows the direction of travel.

This hybrid method ensures your guest feels respected and prepared, while preserving the dynamic, authentic feel that makes for great podcast listening. It’s a highly adaptable strategy that we find works wonders across a variety of podcast genres.

How to Choose the Right Strategy for Your Show

Deciding which approach is best for you will depend on several factors unique to your podcast:

• Your Podcast's Format: Is it a highly structured educational podcast, a casual chat show, a narrative driven series, or something else entirely? A formal interview show might lean towards more prep, while a laid-back one might favour spontaneity.
• Your Guest's Experience Level: A seasoned media pro might be happy to 'wing it', while someone new to podcasting will likely appreciate more guidance.
• The Complexity of the Topic: Simple, anecdotal topics lend themselves well to spontaneity. Highly technical, data-driven, or sensitive subjects often benefit from guests having time to prepare their thoughts carefully.
• Your Comfort as a Host: Be honest with yourself. Are you an ace improviser, or do you prefer a roadmap? Play to your strengths. If you're nervous about steering a fully spontaneous conversation, providing some structure can empower you.
• Your Show's Vibe: Does your audience expect deep dives and precise information, or do they tune in for organic, entertaining conversations? Let your show's brand guide your decision.

There's no need to stick rigidly to one approach forever. You might adapt your strategy based on the individual guest or episode topic. Consistency across your guest experience is helpful, but flexibility is also a virtue.

Essential Tips for Any Approach

Regardless of whether you send full questions, themes, or nothing at all, a few universal principles will elevate your guest interviews:

• Provide a Clear Brief: Always send your guest a concise document outlining the podcast's purpose, audience, episode topic, ideal length of their segment, and a rough idea of the flow. This sets expectations.
• Technical Check: Always, always, always do a quick tech check before recording. Ensure their microphone works, audio levels are good, and internet connection is stable. This smooths out so many potential headaches.
• Set the Tone: Begin your recording with a few minutes of friendly, off-air chat. This helps the guest relax and establishes a conversational rapport before you hit 'record'.
• Listen Actively: This is paramount. The best follow-up questions come from genuinely listening to what your guest is saying, not just waiting for your turn to speak from a list.
• Encourage Authenticity: Remind your guest to speak naturally, as if they're chatting with a friend. Encourage them not to worry about perfection or jargon, but to simply share their unique perspective.

At Audio & Co. We believe a well-prepared host is an empowering host. If you're looking to refine your guest outreach, interview techniques, or overall podcast strategy, exploring our Pro Plan could give you the frameworks and support you need to consistently produce high-quality, engaging episodes.

What to do next

Feeling clearer about your guest interview strategy, or perhaps you've got more questions popping up? We'd love to chat. Book a free, no-obligation 30-minute discovery call with us at audioand.co/book to discuss your podcasting goals and how we can help you achieve them.