Media Conact

Ed Barks

703-533-0403 

ebarks@barkscomm.com

A new research report from Barks Communications outlines how spokespeople can make the most of their podcast guest slots.

Podcast Perfection: What It Takes to Become a Go-to Expert delves into the strengths and challenges of both podcast guests and hosts.

"The advice in Podcast Perfection goes beyond how to talk nice," says company President Ed Barks. "Performing like an all-star leads to achievement of business and public policy goals. That should be the ultimate outcome experts and their organizations keep top of mind."

In the report, Barks warns that there is still an element of the Wild West in podcasting, with an uneven quality of host ability levels. He cautions spokespeople to be prepared for hosts who may lack proficiency in their interviewing skills.

As the report notes, "While radio hosts, by and large, have dedicated years to the craft of interviewing guests, many podcast hosts suffer in comparison. In that case, you may need to carry more of the load. That may not be fair, but it is the real world."

Podcast Perfection goes on to summarize some positive and negative traits displayed by guests. For instance, successful guests listen to previous episodes of the program and make it a point to provide value to listeners. The laggards, on the other hand, go on long diatribes when responding to questions and speak without clarity or power.

"One other aspect merits attention," Ed Barks adds. "Podcasts don't exist on an island. Companies should implement the advice in Podcast Perfection by rolling their podcasting efforts into their overall communications and public policy planning, never in a siloed strategy."

The new report contains insights from veteran podcast guests and hosts, all imparting their deep experience. "My thanks go out to those pros who generously shared their experiences and insights with readers. Their contributions mean this a resource that will endure," Ed Barks says.

Podcast Perfection is clear to point out that podcasts are not a good fit for every outreach effort. It states, "Podcasts are not the end-all and be-all when it comes to getting your message out to target audiences. They can, however, be a useful instrument in certain situations."

It concludes with this piece of advice: "Could podcasts be an effective means of reaching your targets? If so, run with it, using the advice contained in this report. If not in a given instance, set it on the shelf."

Podcast Perfection bolsters the lineup of research reports and position papers Barks offers with no nags or subscription requirements. Issues range from nonverbal communications to remote meetings to Q&A strategies.

Ed Barks is an author and communications strategy consultant who works on extended engagements with Fortune 1000, Inc. 500, and association clients that want to refine their message and sharpen their executives' communications skills. They gain an enhanced reputation, greater confidence, more opportunities for career advancement, and achievement of long-term business and public policy goals. He is the author of four books: Insider Strategies for the Confident Communicator, Reporters Don't Hate You, A+ Strategies for C-Suite Communications, and The Truth About Public Speaking. As President of Barks Communications, he has taught more than 5700 spokespeople how to succeed when they deal with the media, deliver presentations, and advocate before policymakers.

Editors: The complete report is available at no cost from Barks Communications at the following link: https://barkscomm.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Barks-podcast-guest-report.pdf .Information on Barks' books is found at https://www.barkscomm.com/eds-books .

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