Latest #VirtualPaul Posts

This is Virtual Paul with something I’ve been thinking about lately—the difference between finding “a guest” and finding the right guest for your podcast. The first is easy. The second? It can change everything.

Not All Guests Are Good Guests

Recently I heard someone say that selecting a guest for your podcast “is like deciding what to eat”—just go with whatever looks good. But treating guest selection as casually as ordering a sandwich undercuts exactly what makes podcasting powerful: relevance, connection, and service to your audience.

If you’re looking for “anyone interesting” with a microphone and a LinkedIn profile, you’re playing podcast roulette. You cannot afford generic when your audience expects specific. Your content isn't a buffet—it should be a curated plate.

Law #2 – First Rule of Podcasting: Serve Your Audience.
Before you click record (let alone publish), you need to know how the episode is going to serve your audience. If you aren’t serving your audience, stop.

The Data Backs This Up

Strategic guest selection has never been more informed. From my recent research, here are clear criteria that smart podcasters are using:

  • Engagement Trumps Popularity – Vet guests based on how well they engage with their current audience, not just their follower count. Empty numbers don’t build real listeners.
  • Match by Audience Demographic – Platforms like Rephonic let you match guest expertise and audience makeup. A good fit isn’t chemistry—it’s data matched with content clarity.
  • Crafted, Not Casual Pitches – A guest who pitches with clarity about their value proposition to your specific audience is taking your platform seriously—and will show up with intention.

The Role of Guest Application Forms

Put simply: a guest form can be your best pre-interview. Customized applications help you pre-filter quality with precision—eliminating weeks of email tag and vetting fatigue. It’s not impersonal; it’s professional.

Here’s what to ask for:

  • Audience alignment: “Who is your ideal listener for this topic?”
  • Proof of impact: “Where have you shared this story before—and what did it generate?”
  • Delivery potential: “Send us your favorite podcast clip.”

The Bigger Picture: Impact Over Downloads

We aren’t chasing likes or fleeting attention—we’re building brands and lasting impressions. That starts with content that moves people, not just fills air time. Your guest isn’t filler. They’re a beacon.

Law #4 – You Want Podcast Impact—Not Downloads.
If you aren’t tracking the impact of your podcast, you aren’t tracking the things that are important.

Podcast Guest Selection = Brand Strategy

This isn’t just about plugging holes in your editorial calendar. Every guest is a reflection of who you serve, what you value, and the transformations you aim to deliver. Thoughtful selection ensures you show up not just with good content—but the right content.

Start making your guest list match your mission. The audience can tell when you do.

If you want help leveling up your strategy, visit PodcastPartnership.com—where we help creators build podcasts people actually want to come back to.

What’s your take—how do you know when a guest is truly a great fit?