Just finished up a telephone session when one of the participants asked about consent forms for podcasting.
I know The Podcast Brothers use a consent form. You can download the PDF version here (careful, clicking opens a PDF document).
While I like what The Podcast Brothers have done, I find that it’s way too legal for my taste. So, inspired by an email that Bryan Person sent to me a couple of months ago when he interviewed me for his podcast, I put together a quick list.
It’s less official than the one The Podcast Brothers use, but effective nonetheless. Here’s what I send to my guests.
Hi Pam, thank you for agreeing to appear on my podcast. Just to be clear, here are some things I’d like you to know.
- I can’t pay you for this interview. So, treat this like a radio appearance instead. It’s your chance to get free publicity and share your expertise with an audience who’s eager to hear it.
- I may edit parts of the interview. I won’t rearrange your words, just edit for clarity, remove any verbal clutter (ums, ahs, etc) and shorten it if it runs too long. I want you to shine and to be seen as the star and some editing (if necessary) helps me to achieve this.
- I will use the interview and your picture to promote my podcast. I plan to tell everyone I know for as long as my podcast exists that you were featured in one of my episodes. Hope you don’t mind.
- You can announce the interview to your network, but don’t feel like you have to. I’ll send you a quick email to let you know that the interview is ready. Send the link out to your friends, your mailing list, your customers or to no one. It’s up to you.
- Overall, be yourself. While I don’t mind if you provide me with a scoop during our interview, just make sure you are truthful and honest – in other words, be yourself. Don’t tell me any trade secrets if you’re not allowed to and just double check any facts that you’ll share with me.
By saying yes to appearing on my podcast as a guest, you’re also saying you’re okay with the points above. Now, let’s have a fantastic interview.
How’s that? Too official? Just right? Do you send over an agreement of some sort to your guest before you interview him or her for your podcast? Or, is this overkill?
