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I listened to Heidi Miller at the Podcast Expo, she is a wonderful presenter and gave some great tips on interviewing techniques. I loved her idea that the interview is about telling stories and giving surprises for the listener. She shared with us some ways to start the interview questions, which I thought I would share with you.

1) Your goal is to get the guest to tell their story…each person has a story

2) Some great questions to entice out the story

Why did you decide to…
What has the been the biggest reason …..
Where were you when you decided….
What experience did you draw on when…
Tell me about….

[tags] interviewing techniques, podcast media expo, storytelling, podcasting, podcast [ /tags]

People often ask me where I got my interview training - are you joking?? I am a Chartered Accountant by trade, not an interviewer. But I did get a great piece of advice early doors which has helped me a lot.

Someone said to me interview on behalf of the listener, not the interviewee or even yourself. That has stayed with me. I podcast on areas that I would like to think, are my strengths or areas of my expertise. The temptation to continue speaking rather than interviewing is often very high!

However, on the podcast I am there on behalf of my listener…it is my role not to show off my expertise, not to show off the guests expertise but to ask the questions that are in the listeners head.

I have received great feedback, from listeners and from guests that this makes it more conversational and also improves the value of the content. Not sure that I get it right all the time but always try and keep this at the front of my thoughts.

interviewing techniques, podcasting, podcast, listener feedback

Interviewing is a great way of adding a different feel to your show. One of the problems is often you don’t know what kind of interviewee that you are getting! They can be gushing, maybe a slow talker, give short answers or have annoying phrases….all of which you need to address when you come to the editing.

There is one phrase that I believe you should keep in mind - if it irritates you, it may well irritate the listener so remove it! Also, another good rule of thumb is to ensure that the interview is 33.3% you and 66.6% the interviewee. If the interviewee rambles it is important to gently interject…..rambling will soon shut the listener off…so even if you can’t stop it happening, when it comes to the edit ensure that you shorten the replies. Some other tips

1) If someone is slow….take the time to edit out some of the gaps to increase the pace.
2) We all have phrases…I tend to say “Does that make sense?” - you can keep one or two in but edit out the rest to stop that grating on the listener.
3) If someone is giving very short answers, the magic word to use is describe….

Interviews are great but always remember if people are giving you their time for free, ensure that you sell them in the best light…make the interview showcase their talent.

Interviewing is a great way to bring some variety of thought to your podcast. Here are 4 quick tips that will help the interview run smoothly……

1) If you are with the person, don’t move the microphone between the two people. Keep the microphone between the 2, as if you move it you may miss the end of the question, or the start of the answer.

2) Ask open ended questions, people can be nervous and if you allow them to answer yes or no then the interview won’t flow. So start your questions with how, why, what…..

3) Listen attentively and ask the questions that crop up in your mind, you are acting on behalf of the listener. If you stick strictly to a script the conversation won’t flow as much and also leave the listener wanting you to have explored some areas more.

4) Try and start your question with a reference to the interviewee last comment so that they link.

Podcasting has brought the ability to produce media on a mass scale, that is fantastic…but always remember you are still answerable to the law. Spoken word may be slander, transcriptions could be libel. In your front room, it is easy to get carried away with your opinions…but just be careful, if you give facts check them out first…it could go viral!

Note.The comments of your guests will not be held against you as long as then you don’t join in and add your own colour.

This does not mean you can’t have fun, irreverance, sarcasm etc…but just be aware that just because you are in the new cool area of podcasting …you are not above the law.

On The Engaging Brand I often interview people - this week I interview the wonderful Joseph Jaffe, of the Across the Sound podcast. Sometimes people see as interviewing as an easy way out, I don’t as I spend as much time preparing for them as if I produce my own content. Here are some tips

Google your guest and check out all the information that is out there.

Prepare questions that play to their strengths, but phrased so that they are applicable to your area.

Read their books…they will know if you don’t and it shows a total lack of respect if you try and pretend that you have!

Check out their blogs and podcasting, get a sense of their style and frame the interview around their preferred style.

Don’t cop out with standard questions….put real thought behind them, see it as a challenge to ask a question that no one else has asked.

Always send a framework of questions to them before the interview. Some people like to prepare in advance, and it allows for any feedback before the recording starts.

If you normally host a show by yourself, motivation and inspiration can wane. I just recorded a mash up session with Larry Hendrick from Motivation on the Run, and what a wonderful feeling. The restrictions of interviewing, or monologues go out of the window and you can just relax and enjoy the conversation.

If you want a change, freshen up the show by a mash up session with your favourite podcasters. It reinvigorates the mind and soul!

Firstly, let me say I have only got this via word of mouth, but I will be trialling it. If you have a stereo recording that is out of sync audacity etc does not let you time shift just one part of the conversation. Well, apparently PodcastStation does allow you to time shift the right or left side of the recording. Worth a try

I was reading a book - No Static by Quincy McCoy, and he talked about the 3 C’s that I thought I would share with you.

C = Concentration. Vital to be prepared beforehand, so that you can focus on recording. If it is just you talking then concentrate on style and tone, if you are interviewing concentrate on the conversation. Do not multi task, forget e-mails etc

C = Composure. When you interview people will stray from the subject matter, stay cool and get them back gently. Remember you can always post edit! Remember your role is to ask questions on behalf of the listener, not to get carried away with who your guest is…easier said than done at times!

C= Confidence. This is achieved through experience and preparation. Experience is built over time, but to quicken the process go back and listen to your shows….learn what worked and take at least one learning from each show. Always remember you are on a learning curve, mistakes will happen don’t let that depress you…that just means that you are building your experiences!

When you have set up an interview it is always worth sending a framework of questions to the interviewee. People think in different ways and many like to plan a response before you ask the question. I normally send the questions a couple of days in advance so that if people want to have thinking time - they can.

This doesn’t stop you asking questions in response to their comments but gives people a framework to plan from. I always see my role as asking the questions during the interview that the listeners are thinking about…. so you need to concentrate hard on what the person is saying, think with a child-like inquisitive mind!

When you are recording both interviews and your show - shut down all other programs. This allows your computer to “concentrate” on getting the best quality.

This is especially true when recording via Skype, you get a clearer sound.

Wish I had known that at the start!

Oh this is an area that I am definately still learning about….but today I have just published an interview with Seth Godin who speaks on The Engaging Brand podcast about branding. I thought I would share my learnings on interview preparation.

1. The interview should be about the interviewee not about you. Don’t hog the conversation, let the interviewee talk. If you have views than publish at the end or as a separate podcast.
2. Be prepared. Ask the person if they want to see questions in advance.
3. Research the work - sounds obvious but the amount of people who ask bland questions is huge. Make sure you know their work and ask specific questions.
4. Don’t be afraid of e-mailing people. People love to be asked to be interviewed, it shows that people value them.
5. Make sure you edit the recording well - take out the gaps, the um’s and ah’s, and ensure that the sound levels are equal.

An interview is hard work if done properly, but it is a great way of creating dialogue on your subject. Try it, you will love it.