Why your podcast needs a guest application form

Covered in this article

1. Forms help you ask the right interview questions

2. Forms avoid chasing the guest for information

3. Forms introduce your podcast to guests

4. Forms keep you organized

5. Forms test the commitment of guests

6. Forms give your podcast more credibility

View our Free Guest Application Form Template

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Why should you have a FORM for your podcast?

When inviting guests to appear on your podcast, there's an easy way to make the process more efficient. 

Create a guest application form.

Google Forms is a great tool to collect information from potential guests before their interview. Plus, we have prepared a FREE TEMPLATE that you can copy and customize - just click the link at the end of the post.

Here we cover the 6 main advantages of using a guest application form, and how using one will level-up your podcasting!

1. Forms help you ask the right interview questions

Adding a guest application form to your production process is a simple way to discover topic ideas that will help you prepare their interview. 

You can use the form to “meet” your guest and see what they look like on paper. Once you’ve read their answers, you’ll be able to know precisely how to talk to your potential guests, and focus on the specific subjects they are best-prepared to answer. 

Asking the right questions leads to more engaging content for your listeners, which is what it’s all about!

2. Forms avoid chasing the guest for information

Guest application forms capture essential guest information up front, which avoids the need to chase them for this after the recording is complete.

This information includes their contact details, timezone, and details of any other guests or colleagues to keep in the loop.

You can also ask them what they wish to promote on your show, any discount codes or offers for your listeners, and the links to resources for your show notes.

Google Forms can also capture files, including the guest’s photo to use in your marketing, and any audio samples they wish to include in your episode.

Having all this information up-front lets you prepare effectively for the interview, and speeds up the episode release process.

3. Forms introduce your podcast to guests

Your guests want to know more about you and your show, so they can prepare effectively and feel at ease. 

Your form should include a description of what your show is about, who your listeners are and what they are interested in. You can even include links to previous episodes or blog articles as examples.

With this information, they can tailor their answers to your specific audience, and help you create a spectacular interview that will resonate.

4. Forms keep you organized

Forms make your life easier simply by organizing all of your potential guests’ information into one document. 

Having guest information spread over countless emails and documents is a recipe for disaster and wastes a lot of time. 

To gather all information in one place, Google Forms is the answer, as all form responses are stored in a single Google Sheet.

5. Forms test the commitment of guests

A big benefit of forms is that they validate a guest's commitment to appearing on your show, BEFORE you invest time in researching them and writing your interview questions.

Many people may express interest in appearing on your podcast, but not everyone will follow through, and some will fail to show up at the agreed time.

You must avoid wasting time preparing interview questions for guests that don’t show up.

Guests that take the time to fill out a form demonstrate their motivation and commitment to participating, and are much more likely to engage in the full process. 

Sending your application form should be the first step you ask guests to take when they approach you to appear on your show. 

6. Forms give your podcast more credibility

When approaching potential guests yourself, perhaps with a cold-email or on social media, a guest application form can give your show some much-needed credibility. 

Forms add a layer of professionalism that says a lot about you, and help guests take your show more seriously. They also add an air of exclusivity to your podcast.

You may feel like ‘giving work’ to your potential guest might scare them off, but sending a guest application form actually makes it more likely that they will agree to appear on your show.

View our Free Guest Application Form Template

If you don’t have the time to create a guest application form yourself, we’ve got you covered. We have prepared a free template on Google Forms.

Note: Google Forms doesn’t allow Viewer access to Forms so you can’t ‘Make a Copy’. Just run through the form and use it as inspiration for your own.

https://forms.gle/VAX8sCjLWB3feKXw7

Any questions, feel free to reach out to us by submitting a support ticket.