Elevating your podcast interviewing game involves a blend of preparation and practice to create valuable and compelling conversations for your audience. Here are some practical tips to help you level up:
1. Thoroughly research your guest beyond their professional bio. Dive into their previous interviews, articles, or work to develop insightful questions that go beyond the surface.
2. Prepare a flexible outline rather than a strict script to guide your conversation while allowing for spontaneity and interesting tangents that may arise.
3. Master the art of asking open-ended questions using words like “How,” “Why,” “What,” or phrases like “Tell me about the time when…” to encourage detailed responses and storytelling.
4. Practice active listening to engage with your guest in the moment and ask relevant follow-up questions that delve deeper into their responses.
5. Embrace moments of silence to give your guest space to expand on their thoughts and share more meaningful insights.
6. Cultivate a comfortable environment for your guest by starting with casual conversation to build rapport and maintaining genuine curiosity and empathy throughout the interview.
Remember, your role as the host is to steer the conversation towards valuable insights and create a genuine dialogue rather than a formal Q&A session. Happy podcasting!
Best,
Sean