SOMETHING WEIRD HAPPENED HERE
GUEST APPEARANCE FAQs
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW IF I AM A GUEST ON SWHH?
GUEST APPEARANCE FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
IS THIS HARD? No! It’s easy breezy lemon squeezy! I don’t bite (usually).
DO I NEED A PROFESSIONAL MICROPHONE OR CAMERA? No. Your mic does not have to be professional grade. HOWEVER, your laptop microphone might suck if it’s an older laptop. Plug-in microphones or Bluetooth ear buds/pods are fine (just make sure they are fully charged). Most cameras are fine, but do me a favor and give it a swipe to clean it off a bit.
DO I NEED HEADPHONES? Not necessarily. It IS helpful to have some headphones handy if you don’t have a decent microphone. When you use your computer/laptop speakers to hear the conversation, sometimes your microphone will pick up other speakers and echo back into the podcast audio. Please have a set of headphones ready just in case.
CAN I USE MY PHONE FOR THE RECORDING? You sure can, just note the camera and microphone recommendations above and make sure you are in a place where you can effectively have a face-to-face conversation (like, don’t go out into the middle of a field far from cell service on a windy day). Also, I prefer you turn your phone to LANDSCAPE MODE.
DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL APPS TO BE A GUEST? Nope. I record this podcast using ZOOM. You do NOT need a Zoom account for this. I will send the link to join and you just click it!
DO I ABSOLUTELY NEED TO BE ON CAMERA? You do NOT have to be on camera. I do prefer it, but I also know that sometimes people have good reasons for wanting to not have their face shown. The episode will still go out on video platforms but it will just be my face with both our voices for audio.
DO I HAVE TO USE MY REAL (OR FULL) NAME? No. I can either use your full name, first name only, or a fake name. That’s your call.
***ALL OF THE ABOVE BEING SAID… if you don’t want to be on camera and don’t want to use your real name, maybe a guest appearance isn’t right for you. We can still read your story on air (anonymously, without your face or voice) and get your amazing tale out there!
IS THIS AN INTERVIEW? Not exactly. This is a casual, two-way conversation. Just like if we were talking over coffee. I may interject or comment as you tell your story, or ask a question or make a point.
WHAT WILL YOU ASK ME REGARDING MY STORY? I will ask the basics, like how old you were when it happened, what was the setting/environment, did anyone else witness it, where did it take place, etc. I will ask other questions specific to the tale, which could be anything (but I promise to not ask anything difficult, and you can always say, “I’d rather not answer that right now.”). I may also play devil’s advocate and explore some alternatives, like “what else could it have been?” So be prepared for me to poke a bit (just a bit…with curiosity).
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR ON CAMERA? Wear whatever you want. Pajamas are fine, hats are always welcome, and tiaras make me squeal with delight. I will be wearing one of my signature steampunk hats. I am very casual. I might be in a t-shirt, hoodie, or a nice blouse. Just depends on my mood.
WHAT IF I ACCIDENTALLY SWEAR. Uh, I hope you DO swear! Swearing is optional but welcome (I have been known to drop a few F-bombs during my podcasts). Consider this fair warning; if you are not okay with me swearing, this probably isn’t the podcast for you.
HOW MUCH TIME WILL IT TAKE TO RECORD THE EPISODE? My target duration is 30 minutes or less (20 is perfect, but we do sometimes go over). There may be a few minutes on either side for chat, updates, etc. I would plan on 45 minutes, but I can accomodate shorter calls if needed.
WHAT IF I MESS UP DURING THE RECORDING? Do not worry if you “mess up” or aren’t a seasoned podcaster or guest. These are recorded and I am a borderline pro at editing. If you need to take a break, go take a shit, let the dog out (or in), get a drink, whatever… no problem, we just pause and I edit that part out. Same for if you accidentally say something you’d rather not air. We’ll take it out.
THAT BEING SAID… no hate speech of any kind, no slurs, no bashing, no abusive language. Be respectful.
CAN I SHARE MY GUEST APPEARANCE EPISODE WITH OTHERS? Yes! You are encouraged to share your episode, promote it, talk about it, shout it from the mountaintops!
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND THE PODCAST? The full episode will be published to YouTube and to most of the major audio podcast streaming platforms (like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.). Shorts and clips might also go out on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or other platforms. Feel free to promote wherever you’re active.