Interview Secrets | Getting the Best Out of Your Guests on Camera Part 2 of 2

Anyone can become good at interviewing others on video or on audio, as long as you understand the goal is simply to have a great conversation.

You’ve seen the conversations that don’t hit the mark. These videos are hard to watch, you feel uncomfortable because the interaction between the interviewer and interviewee is awkward, maybe one or both of the people is nervous and it shows.?

As you’re putting together video content for your company, or you're trying to level up your interview skills for your next podcast or video interview, keep in mind that not focusing on this leads to boring videos or videos that don’t engage your audience.?

Here are 6 tips you can use right away for your next on-camera interview so your guests open up and the two of you have a great conversation, even if you’ve never talked with each other before.?

1. Do your homework.?

Don’t wing it. The best interviews look effortless because the interviewers have done their homework to make sure they know a lot about their guests. If you have an assistant, that person can gather this information for you.?

Look for common ground or events you can discuss that are relevant to when you are conducting the interview. Find that spark that will be the springboard for a great conversation. Search for a topic that you’re interested in that will also be interesting to your viewers or listeners.

Look for items on the second page of Google. Listen to podcast episodes and read articles written by or about your interviewee. Do this step before you have your on-camera conversation.

2. Make sure your guest is comfortable, but also set some expectations beforehand.

It is important for your interviewee to know that you’re excited to be having this conversation. Reach out to your guest and let them know the parameters of the interview - how long it will be, will it be recorded on just audio or both on audio and video, will it be a live recording or taped and released later?

Should you give questions ahead of time to guests?

I say yes for two reasons.?

You want to make sure the guests understand the flow of the show. This is a great way for them to see that. If you decide to ask the same questions of every person you talk with on your show, it’s a good idea to have them prepare these answers ahead of time.?

Here’s where you can share questions that allow your guests to show a bit about their personality. For example, if you ask about a favorite book or favorite movie, or something like that, let them know this ahead of time so the Q&A part is quick and painless.

3.? You can absolutely go off-script

It’s the unexpected that makes interviews great.

Giving your guests the questions ahead of time allows you to have a roadmap in case your guest is a little shy. While you’re listening to answers, you might come up with a question that is not on your list but you know would elicit a great response.?

Feel free to take advantage of that opportunity and ask away.

4. Don’t be afraid of the silence

Encourage your interviewees to tell their stories, but remember to give them time to think. While we all want to fill the silence with words during the interview, sometimes that pause is all that is needed to jog a memory of a great story. Give them that space and time to think.

These stories are a great opportunity to continue to ask questions that are not on the scripted list, and it makes each interview different even when you’re giving everyone the same questions ahead of time.?

The stories truly make the difference.

5. Allow your natural curiosity to shine through

You may always be thinking about the next question when you’re new at interviewing people. If you focus on the answers your interviewee is giving you, you’ll move into “the zone.”?

It’s a space where you’re really asking questions just for yourself, and the audience is there for the ride. It’s when you ask questions and you genuinely want to know the answer. When you fall into “the zone,” you start to enjoy yourself, you’re having a real conversation, and the person you’re interviewing will start to enjoy the experience as well.?

You know you’re doing a great job when the person, especially if he or she gets interviewed a lot, afterward, says something like, “That was a great conversation. You’re really good at this. Thank you!”

6. Allow for time to talk after the official interview is over

Some of the best conversations you have are after the official interview is over. It makes sense. No one is nervous, the interview is technically done, everyone relaxes, and questions you ask are questions you genuinely want to know the answer to but for whatever reason you didn’t think about or didn’t want to ask in the main part of the talk.?

If you are able to keep recording, do so. If your interviewee knows that the recording is continuing, usually by this point, there’s no more stress. Sometimes this is the best part of the interview.

Points to Ponder

Take advantage of this time together and have better conversations. Let your guests know you're interested in their story, make them comfortable, and ask questions that will help draw out their story.?

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