The Art of the Interview

So many podcasters (and broadcasters) rely on interviews with guests, and while some have a real "knack" for it, others fail miserably. It's a topic I often get asked about from clients, so here are a few of things to do...and a few to avoid;

Prep Your Guest in Advance - let them know you like to start strong with a key point - ACTION off the top. Don’t start with their background, where they were born, etc. Nobody cares (except their mom).

Keep the Questions “Concise” - Long, rambling statements are hard to follow and sometimes they don't even end in a question.

Don't Be A Jimmy Fallon! Listen to the Answers; listening carefully will often guide you to the next question.

 Ask Follow Up Questions; Very often guests who do a lot of interviews give “canned answers” that lack substance. Go beyond the obvious answer by digging deeper with a follow-up. Get them to open up and say things they haven’t said in other interviews.

 The Best Interview Question EVER: Why? Why did you write this book? Why did you start this company? "Why" demands they tell a story.

 Pause Briefly Before Asking the Next Question; it sometimes prompts the person being interview to talk more…and that’s (usually) what you want.

 A Good way to Wrap Things Up: Is there anything we haven’t talked about today that we should? Or, Is there any question you haven’t been asked that you wish someone would ask?

 Finally, HAVE FUN! If you sound like you’re having fun during the interview, your guest will too…and so will the audience.