Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast with Courtney Elmer | Podcasting Strategy for Business Growth

The Guest Booking Strategy That Saves You From Boring Guests

Aug 6, 2025

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Ever finished an interview and thought, “Well, that sucked”? Your audience felt that too — and one boring, rambling guest can make even your most loyal listeners question if they should ever hit play on your show again. But when your guests deliver specific strategies and bold takes they can’t get anywhere else, listeners finish the episode, tell a friend, and trust you more with every listen.

We're breaking down why “good on paper” guests don’t guarantee bingeworthy interviews, the four red flags to look for in guest pitches that scream “don’t book me,” and the guest vetting filter you can start using today to make sure every interview earns its place in your feed.

So if you’re done booking guests who *look* like a home run (only to yawn through their interview and later air it out of obligation) this episode shows you exactly how to fix it. Hit play and let’s dive in.

1:17 – 3 Guest Booking Mistakes That Cost You Listener Trust (and How to Avoid Them)

6:35 – Why “Good on Paper” Guests Don’t Guarantee a Bingeworthy Episode

8:52 – 4 Red Flags in Guest Pitches That Lead to Forgettable Episodes

14:30 – Why Your Guest Prep Needs to Go Deeper Than ChatGPT

17:30 – How to Prep First-Time Guests So They Sound Confident

22:05 – How to Get Seasoned Guests Off Autopilot (So Your Interviews Stand Out)

📘 My Go-To Books on Leading Better Interviews:

Talk to Me by Dean Nelson
Stop Asking Questions by Andrew Warner

Other Episodes You’ll Love:

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

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