#12weekchallenge Week 7

Master Expert Interviews - Elevate Your Online Solopreneur Business

Dear ambitious solopreneurs,

Welcome to Week 7 of our #12weekchallenge!

This week, we're diving deep into a crucial skill for any solopreneur: Talking To Experts.

For those of you in the blogging field, particularly in healthcare or technology sectors, this week's challenge will be especially valuable. The ability to conduct insightful expert interviews can set you apart in a crowded digital landscape.

Why Focus on Expert Interviews?

Expert interviews are a powerful tool in your solopreneur toolkit. They can provide invaluable insights that you might not find through conventional research. These conversations can validate your ideas, challenge your assumptions, and even open doors to unexpected collaborations.

For bloggers, these interviews are not just content fodder - they're a direct line to industry trends, insider knowledge, and fresh perspectives that can elevate your writing and authority in your niche.

Book Recommendation

At the heart of our approach this week is the invaluable book "Talking to Humans" by Giff Constable . His work has become a cornerstone in the startup and solopreneur community for its practical, actionable advice on conducting meaningful interviews.

Constable's book brilliantly translates scientific methods (see below, my own research in that field) for business use, making it accessible and actionable for solopreneurs.

Let's also look at what some notable figures have said about it:

"If you are creating a new product, service or business, stop what you're doing and read this book right now." - Noam Wasserman , Dean of Yeshiva University's Sy Syms School of Business

Noam Wasserman, known for his research on startup leadership and his book "The Founder's Dilemmas," emphasizes the critical nature of this skill for any entrepreneur.

"The book teaches you how to get out of the building and learn by practicing the craft of customer discovery." - Steve Blank, author of The Startup Owner's Manual

Steve Blank , a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and pioneer of the Lean Startup movement, highlights how Constable's book aligns with the crucial practice of customer discovery - a principle equally applicable to solopreneurs seeking to understand their audience.

Let's break down this week's challenge:

Monday: Expert Identification

Start your week by revisiting your business model (refer to weeks 1-3 of the #12weekchallenge). With your niche and goals in mind, create a comprehensive list of 5-10 experts in your field. Cast a wide net:

- Competitors: Yes, even those you admire from afar.

- Established bloggers: Look for those with a strong following and engagement.

- Online business veterans: Those who've successfully navigated the digital landscape.

- Writers on Medium, Substack, or similar platforms: They often have unique insights into content creation and audience building.

- Industry specialists relevant to your niche: Think beyond just writers - consider researchers, practitioners, or innovators in your field.

Take time to research each potential interviewee.

Understand their background, recent work, and areas of expertise. This preparation will be crucial for the next step.

Tuesday: Outreach and Scheduling

Today, put into practice the engagement strategies we learned in weeks 4 and 5. Craft personalized outreach messages to your identified experts. Remember, these are busy professionals - your message should be concise, respectful, and clear about the value of the interview (both for you and for them).

Aim to schedule at least 3 interviews. Use a tool like Calendly to make the scheduling process smooth and professional.

If you're not familiar with Calendly, take some time to set up your account and customize your availability. You can also reach out to me on how to use Calendly. Make an appointment on my Calendly account: https://calendly.com/tec-one/15-minutes

Pro tip: Don't be discouraged by rejections or non-responses. Follow up politely after a week if you haven't heard back.

Wednesday: Study the Craft

Today, immerse yourself in the wisdom of "Talking to Humans" by Giff Constable. Focus on reading the introduction and "The Story" section (approximately 30 pages). As you read, keep a notebook handy to jot down key takeaways.

Consider questions like:

- How does Constable's approach to interviews differ from typical journalistic interviews?

- What biases or pitfalls does he warn against?

- How can you apply these principles specifically to your online solopreneur's business?

Write a brief reflection on how you plan to incorporate these insights into your interview strategy.

Thursday: Dive Deeper

Continue with Constable's book, focusing on the "How To" section (about 37 pages). This practical guide will form the backbone of your interview strategy.

As you read, start drafting a plan for your expert analytics:

- How will you structure your interviews? Consider opening questions, main body, and wrap-up.

- What key information are you seeking? List 3-5 core areas you want to explore with each expert.

- How will you document and analyze the insights gained? Consider tools like transcription software or analysis frameworks. (We will come back to this in week 8 of our #12weekchallenge)

Create a simple template that you can use to prepare for each interview, ensuring you cover all crucial areas while allowing for organic conversation flow.

Friday: Questionnaire Development

Armed with the knowledge from Constable's book and your own reflections, it's time to craft your questionnaire for your first expert interview.

Remember, the goal is to have a conversation, not an interrogation.

Prepare a mix of:

- Open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses

- Follow-up prompts to dig deeper into interesting points

- Scenario-based questions to understand how the expert approaches specific challenges

Aim for 3-4 core questions, with room for spontaneous follow-ups. Test your questions on a friend or colleague to ensure they're clear and engaging.

Saturday: Progress Check

Review your outreach efforts from Tuesday.

How many expert interviews have you successfully scheduled? If you're falling short of your goal of three interviews, today is the day to make a final push.

Strategies for securing more appointments:

- Reach out to your network for introductions

- Engage with potential interviewees on social media like LinkedIn

- Consider offering something in return, like featuring them prominently on your blog

Also, take this time to do final preparations for your upcoming interviews. Review your questionnaire, test your recording equipment, and do any last-minute research on your interviewees.

Sunday: Reflection and Review

As we close out the first half of our #12weekchallenge, take a moment to relax and reflect. Consider how far you've come in just 6 or 7 weeks.

Ask yourself:

- How has your understanding of your solopreneur journey evolved?

- What key lessons have you learned about your niche, your audience, and yourself?

- How have the previous weeks' challenges prepared you for this expert interview phase?

Write a brief journal entry or create a mind map to visualize your progress and insights.

Special Tips for Healthcare Bloggers

1. When interviewing medical professionals, always clarify if you can quote them directly in your blog. Some may prefer to review any direct quotes before publication.

2. Stay updated on HIPAA compliance and medical ethics in your content. Consider having a legal expert review your interview questions if you're discussing sensitive topics.

3. Consider reaching out to patient advocates for a holistic view of healthcare topics. Their perspectives can add depth and relatability to your content.

Learn more about these aspects in our TeleHealth Today Monday Meetings - which TEC ONE organizes together with Telehealth Today. These sessions provide invaluable insights into the rapidly evolving field of telehealth and digital healthcare.

Final thoughts and scientific background

If you're intrigued by the "Talking to Humans" methodology and want to dive deeper, reach out to me! I've applied this approach, known in academic circles as "Applied Cognitive Task Analysis (ACTA)" for years in MedTech research. This method has been instrumental in understanding complex cognitive processes, particularly in high-stakes environments like surgery.

I've published several papers on using ACTA in surgical training and simulation research - my dedicated field where I'm nominated as a professor in Leipzig, Germany.

This background allows me to offer unique insights into how these interview techniques can be applied to gain deep, actionable insights for your solopreneur business.

Remember, every expert conversation is a step towards mastering your craft and growing your solopreneur business. Each interview is not just about gathering information, but about building relationships and positioning yourself as a serious, engaged member of your industry community.

Embrace this challenge with enthusiasm and curiosity!

Here's to unlocking new insights and opportunities!

Your Solopreneur Coach,

Werner

P.S. Our weekly group discussions continue to be a vital part of the #12weekchallenge experience. These sessions are where we dive deep into challenges, share experiences, and collaboratively problem-solve. If you're not yet a registered participant but are interested in joining our next cohort to access these discussions and more, send me a DM. Let's elevate your solopreneur journey together!

P.P.S: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." This timeless wisdom encapsulates the essence of our focus this week. By seeking out expert advice and diverse perspectives, you're setting a strong foundation also for your solopreneur success - and life in general.