Thanks for being a guest on the Novice No Longer podcast! I’m extremely excited to have you on the show.
I put together this FAQ to help answer some of the most common questions. If anything is unclear of you have any additional questions, send me an email.
Before you start reading the questions and answers, please fill out this brief pre-interview questionnaire.
Also, please add me on Skype (dann.berg) at some point before our scheduled call.
Thanks again, and we’ll talk soon!
-Dann
Frequently Asked Questions
Jump to question:
How long is the interview?
Do I need a microphone?
How should I prepare?
How can I sound my best?
Will the audio be edited?
Is this a Skype video call, or just audio?
When will my episode air?
How long is the interview?
Each podcast episode is usually between 30 to 45 minutes, so please try to set aside at least 45 minutes for the call, although an hour is preferable in case there are any unforeseen issues.
Do I need to buy a microphone?
That decision is totally up to you. I’ve had multiple guests on the podcast who used the internal microphone on their computer. On a scale of one to 10, the audio quality was about a four.
For under $20, you can bump that audio quality up to a seven. The Logitech ClearChat Comfort Headset H390 plugs directly into your computer’s USB port and sounds great.
If you’re interested in investing in a really great microphone, I suggest getting the Samson C01U Studio Condenser Microphone. It also plugs directly into your USB port and will bring your audio quality to an eight or nine. It’s totally overkill for just this podcast, but a great choice if you have plans for a large amount of audio recording in the future.
How should I prepare?
Before the call, please check to make sure your microphone is working. You can do this by opening Skype and placing a voice call to the contact “Skype test call.”
I always listen to the call through headphones, because it helps cut out any distractions, so grab a pair if you have any handy. I also recommend pouring yourself a glass of water, just in case your throat gets dry after so much talking and you want to take a quick sip.
How can I sound my best?
When in doubt, slow down. Guests often don’t realize how fast they’re talking. Talking slower will also help you organize your thoughts better.
In addition, the more furniture and carpet in your room, the better you’ll sound. The fabric helps absorb sound and cuts down on echo. If you don’t have a heavily-furnished room, that’s no big deal. But if you’re split between two rooms, choose the one with more padded surfaces.
Will the audio be edited?
YES. Each podcast goes through a lengthy editing process. If you start answering a question and don’t quite like your answer, let me know and we can do a re-do. Any mistakes or pauses — which happens to me too, from time to time — won’t appear in the final cut.
That being said, the fewer edits needed, the better. Arm yourself with the knowledge that I”ll be editing everything in order to help yourself relax if you’re nervous. Try not to use it as a way to answer questions in multiple ways to pick your favorite response.
Is this a Skype video call, or just audio?
Feel free to make the call in your pajamas — the call is strictly audio.
When will my episode air?
I’m currently gathering content for season two of the Novice No Longer podcast, and the air dates for the episodes have not yet been solidified. I’m aiming for the season to launch by the end of March, and run through May.
Don’t worry too much about missing your episode, though. I’ll be sending you an email with a link to your episode the morning that it’s posted.