How To Be A Good Interviewer (Tips To Be A Better Interviewer On Zoom, On A Podcast, For YouTube)

Summary

In this video, Cheryl Tan, founder of Master Video, shares valuable insights for conducting better on-camera interviews. She highlights three key tips: being genuinely curious about your guests, making them feel comfortable, and actively listening to foster a natural conversation. Cheryl also emphasizes the importance of building relationships through interviews, suggesting that the best moments often happen after the cameras stop rolling. Whether you’re conducting interviews for a live show, Zoom, or pre-recorded video, Cheryl’s advice helps you create meaningful connections, improve your interviewing skills, and enhance your content.

Takeaways

• 😀 Be curious about the people you come into contact with. Ask lots of questions and listen for the answers to create meaningful conversations.
• 😀 Doing your homework on your guests is key. Research their backstory through Google, social media, and their website to ask relevant questions.
• 😀 The goal of any interview is to create a connection with your guests and your audience, leading to stronger relationships and potential revenue.
• 😀 Always aim to make your guests feel comfortable, especially if they are nervous about being on camera. Let them know what to expect before the interview begins.
• 😀 Talk to your guests before the interview starts to help them relax and build rapport. This also gives you new ideas for follow-up questions.
• 😀 Listening actively during interviews is crucial. Stay in the moment, listen to the answers, and let your curiosity guide the next question.
• 😀 Avoid rushing through your prepared questions. Focus on having a natural conversation rather than just ticking off items from a list.
• 😀 Send your guests some generic, thought-provoking questions ahead of time to help them prepare and think about their story and the topic.
• 😀 Great interviews often lead to great conversations after the cameras stop rolling, which can further strengthen relationships with your guests.
• 😀 Have fun during the interview! If you're enjoying the process, your audience will notice and appreciate the energy you bring.

Q & A

Why is it important to interview others on camera for your business?

Interviewing others on camera helps create valuable content for your business. It allows you to build connections with clients, potential clients, and even industry influencers, ultimately boosting your brand visibility and credibility.

What is the first tip for conducting great interviews?

The first tip is to be curious. Show genuine interest in your guests and their stories, whether it's a casual interaction or a formal interview. This curiosity leads to more engaging and insightful conversations.

How can curiosity improve your interviews?

Curiosity drives deeper questions that resonate with your audience. By being genuinely curious, you'll ask questions that uncover meaningful details about your guest's work, experiences, and insights, enriching the conversation.

What should you do before interviewing someone on camera?

Do your homework. Research your guest's background through Google, social media, or their website to gather insights. This allows you to craft relevant questions that reflect your guest's experiences and expertise.

Why is it important to make your guests feel comfortable?

Making your guests feel comfortable helps reduce their nerves and creates a relaxed environment for the conversation. This leads to a more authentic and engaging interview, and it ensures that your guest will open up more during the discussion.

How can you make your guests feel at ease before an interview?

Talk to your guests before the interview starts. Let them know the format, whether it will be live or pre-recorded, and the duration. Also, consider chatting informally about topics unrelated to the interview to distract them from nerves and help them relax.

What is the third tip for conducting a successful interview?

The third tip is to listen actively. Instead of just going through a list of prepared questions, pay attention to your guest’s answers. This will help you ask follow-up questions and deepen the conversation.

Why is it important to stay in the moment during an interview?

Staying in the moment allows you to engage with the guest's answers, ask more relevant follow-up questions, and create a natural flow in the conversation. This results in a more dynamic and engaging interview.

What role do prepared questions play in an interview?

Prepared questions serve as a guide for the interview. They help keep the conversation on track, especially if there are lulls or if the conversation needs to shift in a specific direction. However, they should not dictate the entire conversation.

How can post-interview conversations benefit you and your guest?

Post-interview conversations are valuable for building stronger relationships with your guests. These informal chats can lead to potential collaborations, future interviews, or other opportunities that strengthen your network.