Do you know when you've “reached” these days? When you're on a podcast, either as a host or a guest! I may be exaggerating a bit, but a good barometer of success in the current market is being deemed worthy of a guest appearance on a podcast. It means you have attracted interest. It means you have the power for it generate an audience. It means someone believes you have something important to say and share.

So when you get the chance, you'll want to be prepared. Like my head PR firm, part of my role is preparing and nurturing clients for podcast appearances. Here are the training tips I pass on to my clients so they can get the most out of participating in America's favorite new media channel.

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Best practices for podcast submissions

As ubiquitous as podcasts have become, it's still exciting when you get an invitation to appear on one. Very exciting. But excitement can also lead to nervousness, intimidation or even stage fright, which can leave you unclear and result in a missed opportunity to make the most of your moment.

You can take steps before and during your presentation to facilitate the most favorable outcome, and I divide these steps into three phases.

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Phase #1: Preparation the week before your interview

Don't wait until the last minute to prepare yourself for your appearance. I don't care how busy you are, how bare your closets are or how many party favors you have to collect for your child's birthday on Saturday; don't be one eleven o'clock podcast guest.

At least a week out, plan the following tasks:

• Listen to as many podcast episodes as you can. As you do this, get a feel for the host's style – are they easy going, or do they throw hard balls? Do they talk more, or do their guests talk more? Is the tone casual and conversational, or rather formal, educational and informative? To be a good fit for this show, you'll want to get to know the personality of the show and create your own content on it.
• Research the podcast format. How long will you be? Will there be breaks so you can regroup and reset between segments? Will you be expected to direct the audience's questions or will you be in control of your own “script”? Knowing what to expect before registration begins paves the way for meeting expectations.
• Design your pitch. Now is the time to start writing what you want to communicate most during your presentation. Whether it's your business mission statement, positioning yourself as one thought leader or driving traffic to your business, you need to be clear about what you want to present and how you will do it. List the talking points. Make note cards. Record voice memos to assess how you're coming across and change your angle to address weak points.

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Phase #2: Setting the scene for the interview

Almost all of my podcast client interviews are done remotely, with my client at their location and the podcast host calling from their location. Very often, interviews are recorded as both video and audio, which adds another layer of interaction with the audience.

Assuming you will be seen and heard, take the time to ensure your environment will be most conducive to a clear, crisp listening experience and an engaging visual presentation.

• Equip your interview area with the right lighting. You want your image to look bright and professional, not dark and shadowy, which can be achieved by a ring light or natural light coming from a window in front of you. (Note: You don't want a window behind you, which can create an annoying glare.)
• Create an attractive background. There is no need to redecorate or clutter your office, but a well-placed plant, a good collection of books on a shelf behind you can create a nice background. Use a default background from a video conferencing platform only if it is of high quality and will look stable and consistent behind you.
• Plan to wear headphones and put on a microphone, which can reduce background noise and improve sound quality on both sides.
• Before the day of the interview, check that all your devices are working so you don't encounter any last-minute technology glitches.

Stage #3: Appearing for the interview

It's time to get ready for the camera and your space podcast!

• First, let's go back to the previous night. Get a good night's sleep to feel better.
• Then, allow enough time to get dressed and clean up in the morning so you look your best.
• Then, about two hours before departure time, do another quick tech check to make sure everything is functional. If not, you will need time to solve the problems.
• Take control of everything around you – turn off all noise sources, turn off your phone and nearby devices, and isolate yourself from everyone and everything in the vicinity (including your children and pet!) for the duration of the podcast segment.
• Have a glass of water on the side and sip quietly throughout the interview to keep your mouth hydrated.
• As the countdown begins, take a few deep breaths to calm and center yourself, grounding yourself fully the current moment.
• When the interview begins, sit up straight, give a welcoming smile, include genuine gestures and facial expressions, and most importantly, listen closely and deeply to the host. You will be tempted to divert your thoughts to the next turn to speak, but if you do, you may miss what the host is saying or asking you.
• Trust your natural instincts and trust your own expertise. You've been asked to appear on the podcast for a reason – go show them why you deserve the invite!

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Make a lasting impression

More than anything, podcasts are meant to be engaging and entertaining. So it's good to have fun; you are encouraged to have fun. The more genuine you are, the more listeners will get a sense of you as an individual instead of a talking head, and the more they'll believe that what you're saying is coming from a place of authenticity.

To make the most effective use of your time in the spotlight, remember that podcasts are primarily a listening experience, where pitch, rhythm, and clarity take center stage. So enunciate a little more than usual and slow down your speech a little more than usual. You don't want your listeners to miss a single word. And don't be afraid to add humor wherever and however you can – no matter how serious your conversation or serious message is, you can never go wrong making your audience laugh.

Podcasts are, at their core, a promotional tool. When it's your turn to ride one, don't be shy promoting yourself, your brand or your purpose. It's a fabulous opportunity to shine; just be sure to embrace the host and listeners in the spotlight as well. By the end of the episode, you may gain a ton of new followers!