Make Your Interview-Based Podcast Successful: A Guide to Chit Chat

Podcasting is booming in 2025, with over 584 million people listening worldwide. In the U.S. alone, 55% of the population now listens to podcasts monthly – an all-time high, up from 47% just a year prior. This growing audience presents a huge opportunity for new podcasters, regardless of their location or focus.

At the same time, competition is steep: there are over 6.5 million podcasts globally and nearly 95 million episodes on Apple Podcasts. Yet many shows never find an audience or stop producing only after a few episodes. In fact, by early 2023 only ~18% of podcasts on Apple Podcasts were active (i.e. released a new episode in the last 90 days).

So how can you ensure your podcast stands out, builds an audience, and sustains itself for the long run? This comprehensive guide will walk you through actionable advice. Let’s dive in!

Planning Your Podcast Format and Content Strategy

Define your concept and niche

Every successful podcast starts with a clear idea. Define what your show is about and who it’s for. Are you interviewing experts in a specific industry, telling personal stories, or exploring a hobby? A well-defined niche will help attract a dedicated audience, and with millions of podcasts in circulation, you’ll want a unique angle or voice to differentiate your show.

Plan your format and episode structure

Decide on the format and flow of your episodes. Most interview podcasts feature a brief intro to hook the listener and introduce the guest, a conversational Q&A segment, and an outro or call-to-action. Consider whether you will include recurring segments like icebreaker questions, a lightning round, etc. to create familiarity. Don’t worry about making everything scripted – having at least a clear roadmap ensures each episode feels cohesive and on-brand.

Determine episode length

A common question is how long your episodes should be. There is no one-size-fits-all, but data shows many podcasters aim for a moderate length. Roughly one-third of podcast episodes run between 20 and 40 minutes, and the typical podcast length currently sits around 38 minutes on average. Keeping your episodes in this range is a safe starting point for maintaining listener attention.

Consistency is more important than hitting an exact minute-count. If your content is engaging, listeners will stay. About 80% of podcast listeners report they listen to all or most of each episode they start, so aim to deliver value throughout the episode.

Decide on episode frequency

Decide how often you will release episodes. Many successful podcasts release weekly or biweekly; in fact, the majority of shows publish new episodes every 8 to 14 days. Choose a schedule you can sustain long-term: it’s better to start with a manageable cadence than to burn out by over-committing. A huge number of podcasts never make it past a handful of episodes, so don’t be part of that statistic and stay on track.

Invest in branding and reach

Create a compelling podcast name and cover art that clearly convey your topic and style – this is the first impression potential listeners get when scrolling through directories. Write a concise, keyword-rich description for your show and each episode so that new listeners can discover you via search.

Podcast directories like Apple and Spotify use your title and description for search results, so include relevant terms. For instance, if your interview podcast is about digital marketing, ensure words like marketing, business, or the niche SaaS marketing interviews appear in your description. Optimizing these elements improves your visibility across all platforms. Also, make sure you list your podcast in all major directories (Apple, Spotify, YouTube, etc.) to maximize reach.

Plan for sustainability

Set realistic goals and expectations. Recognize that building an audience takes time. It’s normal to start with modest download numbers; growth often comes exponentially as listeners find you via word of mouth or search. Commit to a runway of content and treat that as a learning period to refine your format and delivery.

Finding and Booking Great Guests

One of the biggest draws of an interview podcast is the guests you feature. Compelling guests can provide expertise, fresh perspectives, and even help attract listeners from their network. Here’s how to find and secure great interviewees for your show.

Leverage your network and niche communities

Start with who you know – colleagues, business partners, or acquaintances who have interesting stories or knowledge in your podcast’s subject area. Early on, getting a warm introduction to a guest is often easier than cold outreach. Beyond personal contacts, engage in communities where your ideal guests hang out.

Use social media and professional networks

Social platforms are powerful tools for finding guests. LinkedIn is particularly useful for identifying industry experts and thought leaders since you can search for people by keywords and see their credentials. Many will have contact info or accept direct messages. Twitter / X can also be useful: follow influencers or authors in your field and engage with their posts. Once you’ve built some rapport, you can invite them for an interview via a direct message or email.

Attend events and network in person

If possible, attend conferences, meetups, or workshops related to your podcast’s theme. In-person networking can lead to great guest opportunities. It’s easier to pitch your podcast and invite someone when you’ve met face-to-face and explained your show’s mission. For example, a local talk or a business meetup might yield a guest for your next episode.

Stay organized and professional in your outreach

Keep a running list of people you’d like to interview, along with their contact info and status. When reaching out, personalize each message – mention why you believe they would be a great fit for your show and reference their work to show you’ve done your homework. Whether you contact them via email or social media, be concise, respectful, and clear about the ask, e.g. a 45-minute interview over Zoom to discuss a specific topic.

It helps to have a simple media kit or description of your podcast ready, including the show’s focus, your target audience, and any relevant stats or accolades. For a new podcast, you might highlight your professional background or the interesting questions you want to explore. As you grow, you can mention listener numbers or notable past guests to build credibility. Always thank potential guests for their time and make it as easy as possible for them to say yes.

Conducting Excellent Interviews

Securing a great guest is only half the battle. The interview itself needs to deliver value and keep listeners engaged, so as a host, your goal is to bring out the best in your guest. Here are some tips for mastering the interview process.

Thorough preparation

Research your guest and topic extensively beforehand. Listen to or read any previous interviews your guest has done, so you can avoid asking things they’ve answered repeatedly and instead dig deeper or explore new angles. Prepare a list of questions as a guideline, but don’t script everything, as a natural conversation is more engaging than a rigid Q&A.

Use a mix of question types

Use factual queries to establish context, open-ended questions that invite storytelling or opinions, and follow-ups that show you’re paying attention. For example, instead of a generic question like “tell us about your book,” you might ask, “In chapter 3 of your book, you describe a major failure you faced. What did you learn from that experience, and how did it shape your approach afterward?”

Create a comfortable atmosphere

Before recording or in the intro, chat a bit to break the ice. Let the guest know what to expect in terms of format and length. Ensure they’re comfortable with the recording setup. If it’s a remote interview, check that their microphone and connection are working well, and consider asking them to wear headphones to prevent echo. The more at ease your guest feels, the more naturally they’ll converse. Remind them that the recording can be edited, so if they misspeak or want to rephrase, that’s perfectly fine.

Be an active listener

During the interview, listen more than you speak. Your role is to guide the conversation and highlight the guest’s insights. Avoid interrupting or constantly interjecting with your own stories. Use verbal nods and brief affirmations to show you’re engaged, but give the guest space to fully express their thoughts. If they say something intriguing or unclear, don’t just move to the next scripted question – ask a follow-up.

Even though you have prepared questions, allow the dialogue to breathe. If the guest veers into an interesting tangent, be flexible enough to explore it, as long as it’s on-topic or genuinely compelling. That authenticity and spontaneity can set your podcast apart.

Wrap up and follow through

As you approach the end of the interview, give the guest a chance for any final thoughts. A common wrap-up question is “Where can listeners find you or learn more about your work?” This allows the guest to plug their website, book, or social media, which they will appreciate.

Don’t forget to make it easy for your guest to share the content. A professional and considerate approach to your interviews and guests will build your reputation, making it easier to book other great guests down the line.

Conclusion

Launching an interview-based podcast is a journey that blends creativity, consistency, and connection. By carefully planning your format and content, you set the stage for a show that is focused and listener-friendly. By finding great guests and honing your interviewing skills, you create episodes that inform and entertain, giving listeners a reason to come back.

Podcasting in 2025 is both exciting and competitive. The audience is there and they are hungry for your quality content. The average listener spends 6+ hours a week listening to podcasts, often during commutes or chores, meaning you have a chance to become part of their weekly routine.

Making a successful podcast ultimately means delivering consistent value to those listeners: whether that value is education, inspiration, or just a good laugh. Focus on that, and the downloads and recognition will follow.