The host is the most important element of a podcast. Podcast hosts are the face of their product and are naturally most associated with the product. Never forget that fact.
Oftentimes, the host is the person who came up with the original concept for said podcast. The reasons for this are obvious. The particular person has a passion for the subject matter and enjoys talking about it. Why not have an audience (and better yet, get paid for it) while doing what you love?
For an association, the likelihood of a salary isn’t that great, but honestly, you don’t want someone taking a visible role among your organization strictly for the money. Picking that right person is crucial. Switching hosts early disrupts continuity needed to build a podcast’s momentum.
If your association is launching a podcast, here are the qualities to look for in a host so you get it right on one try:
Knowledgeable. An association or nonprofit should be starting a podcast for one or both of the following reasons: To connect with members in an enjoyable manner and to educate the group on a subject they should inherently be interested in (ie. the field in which the association members work). A person who is good behind a mic won’t be useful if he or she doesn’t seem informed on the topic. It’s OK to let an interview subject do the heavy lifting when it comes to expertise, but the host has to ask the right questions and be able to have a conversation about the topic.
Passionate. If there’s love for the podcast or topic, it is going to show right away. The host doesn’t need to be over the top about it, but he or she has to be engaged in the episode. That energy is contagious to the audience. Remember a happy listener is a repeat listener.
Professional. Having fun and lots of energy is a good thing, but above all else, the host has to remember he or she is representing an entire association. Foul language and crass jokes that might work for one podcast are not appropriate for an educational program. Furthermore, the professionalism needs to be reflected in the work. The host should know the script before airtime and not appear to be reaching for questions during an interview. In other words, the host needs to know what they are doing—you don’t want to risk it with a faker, no matter how good their act is.
An Ambassador. Being the public face of a podcast is like being the star of a TV show. Sure, the crux of the work is done acting with a cast but that star needs to make themselves available to encourage audiences to tune in. A trip to “The Tonight Show” won’t be in order, but the host should be willing to write a regular column or blog for the association’s website and/or newsletter and promote the podcast and organization via social media. It’s only a few extra hours per month, so if the host balks at such requests, that is a red flag.
In other words, think of your podcast host as your smart, loving, organized, and friendly grandmother. She knows her stuff and has a story about everything. Your association deserves only the best, after all. When going through the often stressful process of interviewing hosts for a podcast job, ask yourself, “Am I enjoying this conversation?” The answer will tell you all you need to know.
