# Interview / Podcast — YouTube Long Format

> Long-form interview. 30-180 min. Conversation-driven. Two or more participants.

## Format basics

- Length: 30-180 min
- Aspect: 16:9 (often multi-cam setup)
- Conversation between host + guest(s)
- Long-form audience attention
- Often available as audio podcast also

## Structure

```
0-2min    INTRO
          Host introduces guest
          Why this conversation matters
          Quick context

2-5min    OPENING
          Easy questions to warm up
          Guest establishes presence

5-150min  CONVERSATION
          Deep questions
          Stories
          Tangents
          Real exchange

150-160min REFLECTIONS
          Recap moments
          Final thoughts

160-180min CLOSING + CTA
          Where to find guest
          Subscribe
          Next episode tease
```

## Sample 90-min podcast structure

```
"Karavan Coffee Founder — How I Built a Brand from Zero"

GUEST: Founder of Karavan Coffee (fictional)

0-3min: INTRO
- Host introduces guest
- Brief bio
- Why this conversation

3-15min: ORIGIN STORY
- "Tell me about growing up..."
- Family, education
- First exposure to coffee
- The moment they decided

15-35min: BUILDING THE BUSINESS
- Early days
- Specific decisions
- Mistakes made
- Learning curve

35-55min: GROWTH
- Scaling
- Team building
- Maintaining quality
- The critical pivots

55-75min: PHILOSOPHY
- Why coffee specifically
- Values that drive decisions
- What success means
- Cultural responsibility

75-85min: CHALLENGES + LESSONS
- Hardest moments
- What almost broke them
- What they'd do differently

85-88min: ADVICE
- For listeners considering similar path
- Specific actionable wisdom

88-90min: CLOSING
- Where to find Karavan
- Where to find guest personally
- Subscribe + next episode
```

## Key principles

### Real conversation
- Not just Q&A
- Build on answers
- Follow tangents
- Be present

### Prepared but not scripted
- Research the guest
- Have key questions ready
- Be willing to deviate
- Listen actively

### Trust the long form
- 90 min is fine
- Don't rush
- Let stories breathe
- Audience signed up for length

### Strong intro
- Hook even for long-form
- Why this conversation
- Why this guest
- Why now

### Production basics
- Multi-camera helps
- Good audio essential
- Comfortable setting
- Minimal distractions

## Sub-types

### Joe Rogan style
- 2-3 hour conversations
- Wide-ranging
- Casual setting
- Intimate

### Lex Fridman style
- Deep technical / philosophical
- Single camera (often)
- Long pauses respected
- Serious tone

### Tim Ferriss style
- Tactical advice
- "What's your morning routine?"
- Productivity-focused
- Useful for listeners

### Diary of a CEO style
- Vulnerable conversations
- Business + personal
- Production value high
- Story-arc structured

### Smartless style
- Multiple hosts
- Casual + funny
- Celebrity guests
- Light tone

## When to use

- Long-form audience (Patreon, premium)
- Building authority in field
- Network building
- Long-term content strategy
- Cross-platform (audio + video)

## Common mistakes

- Over-scripted (feels stiff)
- Too many questions, not enough listening
- Bad audio quality
- Boring guest (research first)
- No clear hook or theme
- Going off topic without purpose

## Production setup

- Multi-camera (2-3) for visual variety
- Good audio (each person's mic)
- Comfortable setting (chairs, lighting)
- Long shoot (90+ min)
- Edit for highlights versions (Shorts/clips)

## Modern podcast economics

- Patreon for premium content
- Ads / sponsorships
- Live shows for top podcasts
- Cross-promotion network
- Long-term audience growth
