How to Find Guests for Your YouTube Interview Show: 7 Steps

Photo: Phil Hearing on Unsplash

The best way to find guests for your YouTube interview show is to decide exactly who your viewers want to hear from, then look where those people already gather: your own audience, a guest directory, professional networks and other shows. Send a short, specific invitation, screen each person with a simple application, and book a time that suits both of you.

That is the whole process in one sentence. The rest of this guide breaks it into seven practical steps, so you can fill your calendar with guests who are interesting on camera, not just willing to turn up.

Step 1: Define your ideal guest

Before you search, write down who your viewers are and what problem they want solved. A show for first-time business owners needs different guests from a show for senior executives. If you cannot describe your ideal guest in one sentence, you will waste time on interviews that do not fit.

A useful guest profile covers four things:

• Topic: the specific subject they can speak about with authority.
• Experience level: a beginner sharing a fresh journey, or a veteran with lessons learned.
• Story: a clear before-and-after that makes a good conversation.
• On-camera comfort: someone who can talk naturally to a lens, even if they are not polished.

Step 2: Start with your own audience

Your viewers and subscribers are the easiest guests to reach, because they already like your show. Ask in a community post, in the comments or in an email: "Who would you love to see me interview?" and "Would you like to share your story?" Coaches, consultants, authors and business owners in your audience often make excellent guests because they have a message and want to share it.

Step 3: Use a guest directory

A directory saves hours of cold searching. On the free Guest & Host Directory, hosts and guests list themselves, search each other by topic or name, and send requests or invitations, which are answered within 7 days. Each listing shows up front whether an interview is free or paid, so nobody is surprised later.

If you are a host, search by the topic your viewers care about and invite people whose listing fits. It works for any kind of show, whether you record on a video camera, a laptop or just a phone.

Step 4: Look in professional networks and other shows

Once your own audience and a directory are covered, widen the net:

• Professional networks: people who post regularly about a topic are usually comfortable sharing it.
• Other interview shows: watch what a guest said elsewhere. If they were clear and engaging, they may suit you too.
• Books and talks: authors and speakers already have a message prepared and often want new audiences.
• Past guests: ask who they would recommend. A warm introduction usually beats a cold message.

Step 5: Send an invitation that gets a yes

Guests receive plenty of vague messages. Yours should be short, specific and easy to answer. Include:

1. One line about your show and who watches it.
2. Why you chose this person, mentioning something specific they have said or done.
3. The topic you would like to discuss.
4. The format: how long, whether it is live or recorded, and whether it is free or paid.
5. One clear next step, such as a link to apply or pick a time.

Skip the flattery and the long show history. A guest should understand the offer in about ten seconds.

Step 6: Screen guests before you book

On video, a weak guest is obvious. Long silences and one-word answers are harder to hide when viewers can see the screen. A short application helps you choose well. Ask for their topic, a short bio, website and social links, and why they want to appear. Our guide on how to screen guests before booking walks through a simple process, and these application form questions will help you write your own.

In Guest Booking System, guests apply to your show and you review and approve each application before they can choose a time. A single dashboard shows every application and its status, and you can message guests inside the system without chasing emails.

Step 7: Book a time and prepare your guest

Once you have said yes, make booking effortless. Let guests pick from your open times in their own time zone so nobody has to do the maths. If you work across countries, our guide to scheduling guests across time zones shows how to avoid mix-ups.

With Guest Booking System, you set your time zone and hours once on an Availability page, and when a booking is confirmed a calendar event with a Google Meet link is created for you and your guest. You can also save your own default meeting link, such as Zoom or Riverside, instead. If plans change, cancel or reschedule inside the system rather than from your calendar.

Then prepare your guest. Send a short note covering what to wear, where to look, how to set up their camera and what you will talk about. Our post on preparing guests before the interview has a checklist you can adapt for video, and this guide to reducing no-shows covers reminders.

What makes a good video guest

Video adds a layer that audio-only shows do not have: viewers watch faces, gestures and surroundings. That does not mean guests must be polished presenters. It means you should look for a few simple qualities when you review an application or watch a clip of them speaking.

• Energy and warmth: a guest who smiles and sounds interested keeps viewers watching.
• Clear, short answers: people who explain an idea in a few sentences are easier to edit and easier to follow.
• Stories, not slogans: a real example from their own work is far more memorable than a list of tips.
• A decent setup: a steady camera, a quiet room and light on their face. You can help with this in your preparation note.

Be clear about free or paid interviews

Some shows welcome guests for free, and some ask guests to pay for a sponsored appearance. Neither is wrong, but be upfront. In the directory, each listing shows whether an interview is free or paid before anyone sends a request, and everything after that, including the application, any payment and the booking, runs through Guest Booking System. Being clear from the first message builds trust and saves awkward conversations later.

Keep a simple guest pipeline

Finding guests is easier when you treat it as a steady habit rather than a scramble before each episode. Spend a short block each week inviting a few new people, reviewing applications and following up on anyone who has gone quiet. A single dashboard of applications, with a status beside each one, makes it obvious who needs a reply, who is approved and who has booked a time. Over a few weeks you will have a healthy list of confirmed interviews and a reserve of people to invite when a slot opens.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Inviting only big names. They rarely reply. Emerging experts are often more generous and more prepared.
• Booking without screening. A few minutes of checking saves a poor interview.
• Vague invitations. If the guest has to guess the topic or the format, many will not bother.
• Skipping preparation. A nervous guest on camera needs clear guidance.
• Forgetting to follow up. Thank guests after recording and tell them when the episode goes live.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find guests for a new YouTube show with no audience?

Start with people you already know, then list yourself and browse a free directory. New shows are attractive to guests who want to share a message, as long as your invitation is clear and professional.

Should I pay guests to appear on my show?

Guests are not usually paid to appear. They generally take part to share their story and reach a new audience. Whatever your arrangement, state it clearly in the invitation so there are no surprises.

How many guests should I book ahead?

Aim to have several interviews confirmed in advance. That gives you a buffer if someone cancels and lets you batch your editing and publishing.

Ready to find your next guest?

Browse the free Guest & Host Directory to find guests by topic, read the host guide to see how booking works, or create your account to get started. If you are a guest looking for shows, the guest guide is the place to begin. You can also learn more at Guest Booking System.