How long should your podcast interview be?

You’re running an interview based podcast with just one interview that lasts the entire length of your podcast.  A question – how long should your podcast interview be?

As a radio producer, who has edited and produced thousands of interviews – not to say I know any better than others, more over to share what I’ve learnt.

I’ll let you into a little secret. All of the pre-recorded interviews i’ve produced, edited or presented have been edited, and quite a few – actually i think often over half of the content has been cut out.

Admittedly live interviews on the radio are different to those where we have an allocated studio time. When live you only have a set amount of time to get it out. Your guest will often be inclined stick to their point. The interviewer will also work harder to get what they want out of the interviewee.

The same can be said of the limited studio time pre-record. You only have so much time to get it done, so you do your best to get what you want.

Much can be and is said of the freedoms of Podcast from the constraints of traditional radio. Yet what traditional radio provides are rules of engagement – it gives you structure, which in turn allow quality over quantity. Or should do!

I’ve heard some fantastic interviews from Podcasts that would never see the light of day in today’s manufactured radio world.  I’ve also heard the opposite.  My aim is not to be critical, but to pass on my experience.

I love long form interviews, however the subject, guest, questions and story shared really need to be compelling to keep me listening past 20 minutes and on towards 30 minutes.  Some do achieve this, but very few don’t have me reaching for fast-forward.

I’m atypical perhaps – I do listen for pleasure though and do try to turn off the critique engine rolling onwards in my head.

Less is more and especially relevant when it comes to interviews in podcasts. If your interview in your podcast is over 40 minutes and is virtually the only content in your podcast – you have two issues.

One, it is too long and two, you’re under serving your listener.

The latter is about adding narrative, advice and guidance and break out information where I can find out more about the subject matter.  By offering extra content rather than just your interview you begin to super serve your listener.

What about my too long interviews exertion?

I try to look at it this way. Podcast is just the platform and the medium is audio speech content.  Radio doesn’t simply shorten content because it doesn’t have time.  It is about the quality within the time they have.  Remember content is always king.  If the interview is waffle and too long then you’ll experience listener fade.

Mohit Bakaya, a BBC radio commissioning editor, offered me this piece of advice.  The listener has a point in a speech programme when their staying power starts to fade you need to give the listener something big, a revelation, an impact of some sort to reinvigorate. I call it wow factor.   So add wow factor at the 12 minute mark on a 20 minute session or at 17 minutes on a 30 minute piece.

What do you edit out anyway?

It’s more than simple breaths or uhms and ahhhs you need to think a little deeper into your listeners wants and needs.

Repetition can go – that is unless it is the guest’s clever way of reemphasising their core subject. Some people repeat their point twice within a single sentence.

Stray – remove anything that isn’t the point and to the point. In addition if they move away from their answer and the nub of their reason for being on the podcast I’d advise to cut it out.

Mid-sentence stray – some people start talking about an unconnected stream of thoughts in the middle of their answer, this can go because it is away from the point.

Crutch words or phrases – also cut those ‘you knows’ and ‘basically’. The words we use for the brain to catch up with our thought process.

Do they need this? – Ask if your listener needs to hear all of the interviewee’s story. There are streams of interview content that is good, but is it right to include in this episode.  Could you create a special unheard episode?

Be brutal – Create a set amount of time and cut the final edit to fit to that time, or near about. Stick to that time and be brutal and cut things that won’t enable you to hit that time.

To summarise, just because you may think your listener likes a lengthy podcast or interview to accompany them on their walk, run, gym session or journey to work doesn’t mean it should be.

Your podcast that provides advice and guidance, an interview, feedback and narrative will win out over  your podcast that just offer an interview.

Learn More from The Radio Skills Podcast

Listen to Radio Skills for Podcasters episodes about interview skills and editing interviews like a pro to help you build your knowledge base as a podcaster.

Episode Three: Killer Interview Skills

Episode Eight: Learn To Edit Interviews Like A Pro For Your Podcast