How to Write Great Interview Questions For Your Podcast
Have you ever listened to an interview where the host asks a guest a question that made you think, “That’s exactly what I wanted to know”? Or maybe they asked a question that you never would have thought to ask and you learned something that surprised you. Have you ever wondered how they got so good at asking the right questions?
If you want to offer your listeners a ton of value and keep them coming back for more, asking compelling, smart questions during your interviews is important. While it does take practices, knowing how to approach the question writing process is helpful. In this blog, I’ve outlined my process for writing great interview questions.
Be in the know
The saying “You don’t know what you don’t know” applies here. The more informed you are about your guest and the topic you’ve asked them to come on your show to discuss, the easier it will be to write smart questions. I do lots of research about the topic I’m discussing and I try to find out everything I can about my guests by looking at their website, social feeds, reading their blogs, etc. The more context you have, the better you’ll be able to determine what’s important to ask and also what isn’t. Also, notice what you’re searching for, those can become your questions too!
reference past material
One of the best sources for writing great questions is your guests’ past material. Dig into their content so that you know what your guest can talk about. View their material as a starting point and inspiration. Write questions that expand upon what they’ve already talked or written about and will elicit a slightly different or more in-depth response. Knowing where your guest has been can help you navigate where you can go together.
Think like your listeners
Whether the goal of your show is to inform, entertain, or inspire, putting yourself in your audience’s shoes is one of the easiest ways to come up with brilliant questions. Think about what burning questions they might have. How can you help them solve a problem or better understand your guest? Focus on providing value to listeners when writing questions.
Tell a story
Our brains are wired for story. So, a great approach to writing questions is thinking about how you can take your audience on a journey. You can craft your questions in a way that creates a cadence similar to a story arc. For example, the first thing I ask of my guests is to tell me their story. From the start of the show, my audience is hearing an origin story that gives context about the person and what’s coming later in the interview. It helps connect the dots between the guest and their experience, advice, expertise, etc. I organize the rest of my questions to lead up to what I think will be the most interesting or important takeaway and then ask closing questions that let listeners know that the interview is wrapping up. Writing questions using this approach will keep your listeners engaged and connected to your interview.
go with your gut
As with everything in life, trust your instincts. Pay attention to how you feel when you’re writing questions. If you feel excited by a question, chances are your audience will too. Writing questions can be a solitary exercise and keep us in our heads but, it’s important to remember that we’re simply creating a framework for a conversation with another human being. So, make sure to check in with your heart too!
While great interviews require a host to be curious, generous, and a good listener, add in a few great questions and you’ll be well on your way to having conversations that your audience will love listening to.