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Podcast Interview Techniques
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Interview Questions

Ask Better Questions

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Franziska Staging

3/3/202615 min

Learn how to ask better questions in podcast interviews

Ask Better Questions

Podcast Interview Techniques – How to Ask Better Questions

To conduct a great podcast interview, it's essential to ask better questions. Research findings from reputable podcast-industry sources, including Podcast.co and Yaro Starak, provide valuable insights and expert tips.

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1. Do Your Homework – Research & Probing Prep

  • Scan the guest's website, LinkedIn, recent blog posts, and at least two prior podcast appearances
  • List 5-7 'what they've said before' statements and turn each into a follow-up probe
  • Draft a flexible outline (10-15 core questions) and keep a 'parking lot' for tangential ideas that may emerge

According to Skye Pillsbury from Inside Podcasting, reviewing every previous interview the guest has done can help you ask more insightful questions. For example, you can ask: 'I've heard you say X, but I didn't get a sense of Y. Could you talk a bit more about that?' Check out The Podcast Haven for more tips.

  1. 1Turn generic 'tell us about yourself' into a targeted, curiosity-driven prompt
  2. 2Lead with your own curiosity and 'double-click' on anything that sounds interesting
  3. 3Ask for 'how-did-you-do-it' details, not just 'what-happened'
1

Research and preparation

Scan the guest's website, LinkedIn, and recent blog posts

2

Curiosity-driven prompts

Lead with your own curiosity and ask follow-up questions

3

Tangible stories and case studies

Ask for 'how-did-you-do-it' details and concrete examples

The best interviews combine a great case study, told as a story, with lots of tangible, real-world examples.

Yaro Starak

💡Remember to keep your questions open-ended and avoid leading questions that may influence the guest's response.

Podcast interview preparation

For more information on podcast interview techniques, check out Alex Birkett's blog and Sarah Mikutel's podcasting tips. You can also visit PodViral for more resources on creating engaging podcast content.

  • Use concrete question formats, such as 'Can you walk us through the exact three steps you used to...'
  • Ask for specific examples and case studies
  • Encourage the guest to share their thought process and decision-making

Conclusion

In conclusion, asking better questions in podcast interviews requires research, preparation, and a curiosity-driven approach. By following these tips and techniques, you can create more engaging and informative conversations with your guests. Remember to visit PodViral for more resources on podcasting and content creation.

Sources & References

  1. 1
  2. 2
    yaro.blog
  3. 3
    thepodcasthaven.com
  4. 4
    alexbirkett.com
  5. 5
  6. 6
    >yaro.blog
  7. 7
    >alexbirkett.com
  8. 8
  9. 9
    >thepodcasthaven.com
  10. 10

Sources & References

  1. 1
  2. 2
    yaro.blog
  3. 3
    thepodcasthaven.com
  4. 4
    alexbirkett.com
  5. 5
  6. 6
    >yaro.blog
  7. 7
    >alexbirkett.com
  8. 8
  9. 9
    >thepodcasthaven.com
  10. 10

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