Hey Podcaster I'm Tim Wohlberg your Podcast Performance
Coach with another actionable tip.
So you can sound like a pro... and gain more podcast fans.
Today’s tip is…
Be a solid Co-host.
Here are 5 mistakes co-hosts make that hurt their show.
They share a mic.
A lot of podcasters still and will share a mic.
Don’t.
This is a hard thing to do and it takes a long time to master with a partner too.
It makes editing more difficult because if one of you is a close talker or loud talker
then you’ll have issues.
If you absolutely have to share a mic with your co-host, standing will make it 10 times
easier.
Stepping in and out of position will help, but it’s going to be awkward.
If you’re lucky, you have a mic that can go both ways like the Yeti, with a bi-directional
setting which allows 2 people to be on opposite sides of the mic.
Just because tools like this make it possible, doesn’t mean you should.
Bottom line here...get another mic.
Check out my resources page if you need help in picking one.
The only good thing that MAY come out of sharing a mic is that you likely won’t be talking
all over each other which brings me to mistake number 2.
- TALKING ALL OVER EACH OTHER...talking…..
This can be challenging.
Some shows have more than 2 hosts and then it becomes really important not to overlap
voices.
The best fix, at least in a studio setting like a radio station, is sightlines.
Most radio studios are literally in a round-table layout for this exact reason.
But you’re a podcaster.
So, set yourself up so you can see each other, face to face.
Even if that means virtually.
BUT Tim, I know,….you don't want to use those platforms because the audio stinks.
You’re right, so, record yourselves independently, like a double ender.
Or upgrade your plan.
Visuals are really important becasue you can communicate non-verballywith hand signals.
It also allows you to see emotions or responses.
This is still going to take some time but it’s easy to come up with a few hand signals
you can use while recording.
The other way to stop talking over each other is to SHUT UP.
Be patient and wait your turn.
Mistakes co-hosts make.
Number 3.
Shutting your co-host down.
Have you ever taken an improv class.
It’s pretty much the number one rule.
Say yes.
Be supportive and keep the idea, the story or thought advancing.
Don’t derail or smother someone else’s ideas with negativity.
(OH...That’s a dumb idea good luck with that) Hey i just told you not to do that.
Of course this depends on the show you have.
If you’re show thrives on healthy and passionate debates then yeah a difference of opinion,
discussion or genuine argument can be great entertainment and valuable for a show but
do it respectful.
As soon as one of you feels awkward, the audience will too.
So if you can add to the topic, take it to the next level or segway it to another place.
Do it.
Don’t just say, yeah totally or absolutely.
It’s better to say nothing.
Two extra things here.
You need to know when you’ve exhausted an idea and when to move on.
And you also have to be careful not to always one-up your co-host.
You don’t need to always have an even more outrageous story to tell.
Let them win.
Let them own the moment.
Save your story for another time.
Co-hosting mistakes.
Number 4.
You don’t have a bus driver.
You need to decide who’s going to drive your podcast bus.
I talk about this in episode 43 of Just the Tip.
One of you needs to be in control.
And the rest of you need to know your role.
Now don’t get your egos in a knot.
There are no sidekicks.
Just different roles.
You need to decide who’s introducing the show, the guest and/or topic.
Who’s delivering the question of the day, the call to action or how to find you on facebook.
Have all of this sorted out before you hit record.
But there needs to be one of you that keeps that bus on the road, moving forward, and
arriving at your destination on time with nothing and noone left behind.
5.
And the last mistake you want to avoid when co-hosting a podcast is over preparing together.
WOO HOO...Awesome, less work...yay...
I can do that.
What I’m really saying is don’t over plan your podcast, together.
Save some room for spontaneity and the element of surprise.
Going into an episode, you should always have a roadmap so you both know where you’re
going but don’t share every detail of your show-prep with your co-host.
This is the best way to get honest reactions, big laughs and magic moments that you could
have never attained if the other person knew it was coming.
Co-hosting a podcast can be magical.
You want to be in sync with your partner.
Some of the best podcast teams are co-hosted by best friends from high school or married
couples.
You gotta be close with your co-host... okay, well you should at least LIKE your co-host.
If you’re not there yet, Hang out a few times.
Go for a beer.
You gotta click right?
And never forget the reason your doing your show, the listener, don’t take your mind
off of them.
The conversation between you and your co-host, isn’t enough.
Deliver on your promise.
It takes time and a lot of work but there’s nothing better than great chemistry.
And you’ll know when you hit it.
Avoid these mistakes and co-host with generosity, respect and compassion.
It will help make the 2 of you the next dynamic duo and keep you out of podcast divorce court.
I hope thats just the tip you need.
Do you and your co-host need a relationship autopsy, I’m not a psycho therapist but
I do play one in real life.
My sessions are free.
They last 15-minutes and you can book one right now.
Just got to Go to PodcastPerformanceCoach.com I'm Tim Wohlberg
See Ya!