We Travel There

Travel like a local.

Podcast Guest Information

Thank you for your interest in being a guest of the show!

Below is the info that I share with all potential podcast guests. Please read it carefully and answer the questions at the end.

For the TL;DR crowd (too long, didn’t read), here are the five things you need to know:

  1. Pick a time slot for recording – WeTravelThere.com/schedule
    1. If the times available do not work for you, please email me to discuss alternative times.
    2. I am based in Nashville, TN, U.S.A., which is in the Central Time Zone. My schedule is somewhat flexible, but I try to avoid recording at night due to family commitments.
    3. However, since we interview people from around the world, we understand that your schedule may not align with U.S. working hours.
    4. We can open up evening recording times to accommodate your schedule based on my availability.
  2. Answer these questions at least 24 hours ahead of recording to help us research the city and complete the show notes – WeTravelThere.com/questions
  3. I need some pictures of you, the places we talk about, and the food/drinks we discuss for the show notes and to publicize the episode on social media.
    1. The picture of you is used for the “about the guest” section of the show notes.
    2. Pictures of the food, attractions, etc. are used in the show notes and on social media to promote your episode.
    3. The best pictures are in landscape format with the longest edge of at least 1600 pixels.
    4. You can send these after we record.
  4. You need a good mic and headphones to sound your best.
    1. Worst case… you can always use the headphones that come with your phone. We try to accommodate everyone that wants to be on the show.
    2. I recommend the Audio-Technica ATR2100x ($100) or the Samson Q2U ($60) from Amazon. I use the ATR2100.
    3. You can plug iPhone headphones into either microphone so you can hear the audio just fine.
    4. These clown nose mic covers ($7) and windscreen ($11) help reduce your breathing sounds and pops from “p” sounds in the recording.
    5. We CANNOT use the microphone embedded in your computer. Your voice may echo, and the interview will become distorted during compression.
  5. We record via Libsyn Connect.
    1. After you book your interview time, I’ll send a separate email with a link to connect.
    2. At your interview time, you’ll log into Libsyn Connect using the link in the confirmation email.
    3. The interview will be audio-only, so feel free to wear your jammies, shorts with holes in them, or whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.
    4. Video will be turned off to preserve bandwidth and help us sound our best.
    5. Please provide your Skype username. We use that as a backup in case Libsyn Connect is having difficulties.

I look forward to the conversation.

Thanks!

Lee

Welcome to the We Travel There Podcast!

There are a few things we need to cover…

Here’s how YOU look like a local expert

My job as the podcast host is to make YOU look like THE local expert for your city. The more prepared you are, the better you will sound.

Please do not simply “show up” and wing it.

We want to find 3-5 hidden gems that make the show amazing. Then, we’ll navigate the show to get there and it will feel like we “stumbled” into it. However, because you shared them with us, we’ll know ahead of time where we’re heading and we, as hosts, will make sure we get there.

So… what 3-5 things make you the local expert?

The premise of the podcast is to uncover local gems that most tourists will never see/do/eat/experience. We’re looking for ways that travelers can experience your city in a more meaningful way. Your local knowledge will help them create memories that will last a lifetime and encourage them to travel more. Your tips may even make your city their new favorite place to visit!

We want specifics our listeners can take and apply to their own vacations.

Please think about this… send me an email and let me know what you are thinking about. We’ll help you craft this if you need help.

Please don’t do this

So that there aren’t any ‘surprises’ or false expectations, we do not allow mentions of a product/service/company during the body of the show. Instead, this will come at the end when we ask where listeners can find out more about you.

We don’t want to appear like a commercial or blatant promotion.

Yes, we know your website/product/show/etc. is amazing. But the goal of the show is to focus on the city, not your job.

If you have something you’re promoting, we’re happy to mention it at the end and include backlinks to it in the show notes. We won’t be spending a ton of time on it. This includes books, TV shows, podcasts, software, websites, mentoring/education, etc.

Remember, nobody wants to listen to a 30-minute commercial!

Please do this

Drink 2 cups of caffeine, Red Bull, or Monster Energy drink before the show.

Yes, we’re serious.

We need you to bring ENERGY. If you are nervous before the recording, go run around the block. Do some jumping jacks. Listen to your favorite song that gets your heart racing. Bring the fire!

Have the right equipment

Podcasts with crystal clear sound do much better with the audience. For us to have a successful episode, you should have the following:

  • Good external USB mic (the one on your computer or your headphones simply won’t do your amazing voice any justice).
    • Please test your mic ahead of time. I’ve had a couple of guests who were recording from their computer instead of their mic and it sounded terrible. We had to redo the whole interview!
    • Here is the one I use – Audio Technica ATR2100 from Amazon.
    • If you don’t have a separate mic, we can use your mobile phone earbuds to plug into your computer or phone. However, we cannot record using the internal mic of your computer.
  • Reliable set of headphones. Yes, you MUST wear headphones. I’ll be wearing the headphones that came with my iPhone. They work just fine.
  • Good internet connection — it is best if you are working with an internet download speed of at least 20 MBPS and an upload speed of at least 3 MBPS or above (you can check the speed of your internet at SpeedTest.net.
  • Connect from your computer for the best quality sound. Please avoid using a smartphone, tablet, or Surface Pro when possible.

Questions

We ask that you fill out as much as possible of this city survey at least 24 hours before we record. This will help us get a better feel for your city and some of the places you’ll be talking about.

http://WeTravelThere.com/questions

The conversation will be free-flowing, and we will not get to everything on the list.

However, I will link to these places in the show notes for listeners to use as a resource. So, the more questions you answer, the better experience our listeners/readers will have when they visit your town.

Email us some pictures

Please email us high-quality JPG or PNG images of:

  • Yourself
  • Your website/podcast/etc. logo
  • Pictures of the local places that you’ll be talking about. They must be personal pictures. Preferably with you in them to ensure they are your images to share.

Copyright rules today are VERY strict. If we publish a picture that belongs to someone else, we could be penalized very heavily for using an image without the owner’s consent. And we require you to pay for any fines or penalties that arise out of using someone else’s photos.

The Final Countdown

To end the show, we have a segment called The Final Countdown. We ask the same four questions of every guest. Please have answers ready for:

  1. If a traveler only had time for one meal in your city, where should they go and what should they have?
  2. Tell us your most memorable story from the city. This can be something funny, unique, endearing or anything else.
  3. Where is the happiest happy hour? This doesn’t have to be an American-style happy hour with cheap drinks. It could be someplace cool to relax with a drink, a place with good food specials, or a spot that just makes you feel happy.
  4. Best place for a pepperoni pizza? Other types of pizza are ok.
  5. What is your best travel tip? This tip can be of your city or a general travel tip that works anywhere.

And then, of course, where can people find out more about you? You can provide all of your social media handles/links in the Google Doc link above.

Bring your A-Game

We don’t use every show we record. We only use shows when the guest truly brings their A-game and provides engaging content for our listeners.

This show is not designed to focus on your product/service/company.

We’re not opposed to killing shows or stopping halfway through if it just doesn’t feel right.

Any additional questions you want us to ask?

While we can’t guarantee we’ll ask them, do you have any questions or topics you’d love us to ask you about?

We look forward to the show!

We’re really looking forward to your interview! Don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any

questions.

If you’re ready to book your interview, pick a time slot for recording – WeTravelThere.com/schedule

Talk to you soon,

Lee

Nashville Travel Massive featured on Travel Massive