Interview Review(in four parts)

Core Competencies of Interviewers

Before the Interview

The “Art of the Ask”

Live vs. Taped

Interview Review

Core Competencies of the Interviewer

Establish rapport

Bring genuine curiosity

Guide the conversation

Interview Review

Core Competencies of the Interviewer

Listen carefully

Ask effective questions

Bring out useable, interesting info

Represent the listener’s interest

Interview Review

Before the Interview:

Research the guest, research the topic

Prescreen (if possible) but leave “cathartic” moments for the real thing

Arm yourself with the opinions of others about your guest

Interview Review

Before the Interview:

Plan for beginning, middle, end

Know the focus, the central question

Plan precisely but expect the unexpected

Interview Review

The “Art of the Ask”

Most powerful questions use:

Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

Ask one question at a time

Interview Review

The “Art of the Ask”

Statements work IF they force agreement/disagreement AND explanation

The next question often comes from careful listening to the preceding answer

Use silence as a vacuum to draw out lingering thoughts

Interview Review

The “Art of the Ask”

Interrupt if the source is way off topic or clearly stalling

Press for clarity, details, examples, anecdotes

Press for accountability, proof and firm opinions

Interview Review

The Advantage of Tape over Live:

• You have room to roam without concern for dead-ends or wasted air time

• You may re-ask a question or take some questions “out of order”

• You are free to ask basic background or informational questions

• You can choose whether to tape yourself

Interview Review

The Advantage of Live over Tape:

• The risk that anything can happen will energize the interview and appeal to the audience

• You’ll cut to the chase and stick to core concerns so as not to waste time

Interview Review

Prepared by

Michael Marcotte

MVM Consulting

www.mikemarcotte.com