15 Video Podcast Tips for Hosts

 Here are 15 practical tips to help your video podcast look and sound the best and make your message land, which is polite for “suck less.”

1. Know the Style of the Podcast

Is it a casual, back-and-forth conversation, or is it focused entirely on the guest’s story? Understanding the format will help you prepare and deliver in the right tone.

2. Nail the Introduction

The intro is your hook. Keep it sharp and clear: Why should someone listen? What will they learn? A useful trick is to record the intro after the episode, once you know what you covered.

3. Avoid Table Noise

Don’t tap, or bang the table. Microphones pick up every vibration, and it can ruin a good take

4. Silence Your Phone

Mobiles should be in silent mode, and off the table entirely. Vibrations travel straight into the mic

5. Let People Finish

Don’t interrupt. In fact, a short pause after someone finishes speaking often encourages them to add more valuable detail.

6. Skip the Recaps

Avoid repeating or rephrasing what’s just been said, unless it adds real value. Too much summarising slows the pace.

7. Keep Questions Short

Clear, direct questions work best. Avoid stacking multiple questions into one, as guests often only answer the last one.

8. Use Open Questions

Ask how, why, and what to invite stories and opinions. Closed yes/no questions shut things down quickly.

9. Affirm Silently

Nodding works better than saying “yeah” or “right” constantly, especially if the podcast will be edited for short clips later.

10. Minimise Fillers

Try to keep “um”, “ah”, and long thinking sounds to a minimum. Take a quiet pause instead, it sounds more confident.

11. Focus on Emotion

Avoid turning the episode into a LinkedIn profile. People connect with stories, challenges, and feelings, not just achievements.

12. Stick to a Structure

Jumping randomly between topics can confuse the listener. A clear flow helps keep the conversation engaging and easy to follow.

13. Mind the Mic

The closer you are to the mic, the warmer and better you’ll sound, but keep the distance steady to avoid volume jumps.

14. Know When to Wrap Up

If the energy drops or the main points have been made, it’s OK to end. Better to leave the audience wanting more. (John!)

15. Enjoy It

This is your moment to be real, relaxed, and relatable. With a bit of preparation, you’ll come across at your best.