As an industry expert in podcasting, you understand the importance of asking engaging and insightful questions during interviews. A well-prepared and thought-provoking interview can captivate your audience and make your podcast stand out. Here are some tips to help you ask great podcast interview questions:
1. Establish Goals: Before every interview, define the primary goal of the episode. Consider how your guest can contribute to solving your listeners’ problems or providing valuable insights. Determine the key message or accomplishment you want to convey through the interview.
2. Conduct Research: Take the time to research your guest and their background. Review their social media profiles, work history on LinkedIn, and listen to their previous podcast interviews or read their articles. This research will help you gain insights and ask more informed and relevant questions.
3. Utilize the Five Ws: The classic journalistic approach of who, what, when, where, and why can be highly effective in interviews. Tailor these questions to suit your specific topic and guest. For example, ask about their background, their work in the industry, the timeline of their journey, and the motivations behind their career choices.
4. Ask Clarifying Questions: Keep the conversation flowing naturally by asking clarifying questions that allow your guest to provide more information. These questions can help expand on their responses and provide deeper insights. Ask for explanations, examples, or how specific experiences have influenced their lives.
5. Stay Flexible: While it’s important to have a general structure or outline for the interview, be open to spontaneity. Depending on your guest’s responses, you may need to ask follow-up questions or explore tangential topics before moving on. Allow for organic conversation to unfold while keeping your outline as a guide.
6. Include a Signature Question: Differentiate your podcast by asking a unique signature question in each episode. This question should be relevant to your guest’s expertise and offer valuable insights to your listeners. It could be about book recommendations, common misconceptions in their field, or their favorite self-care practices. A signature question adds a distinct touch to your interviews.
7. Avoid Pitfalls: Maintain a natural and respectful tone throughout the interview. Avoid asking overly personal questions early on, using negative or insensitive phrasing, or repeating questions that your guest frequently encounters in other interviews. Be mindful of your guest’s comfort and create a positive and engaging atmosphere.
Preparing for the interview is crucial to its success. While it’s not obligatory to share a list of questions with your guest in advance, it’s considerate to discuss the general topics you plan to cover. This allows them to reflect on their answers and ensures a fruitful episode.
List of 18 Best Podcast Interview Questions
Now, here’s a list of 18 best podcast interview questions to inspire you. Remember to tailor these questions to fit your guest and topic:
1. Where did you spend your formative years, and how do you believe it influenced your personal growth and development?
2. Could you describe your morning routine and how it sets the tone for your day?
3. Can you share a humorous anecdote that you often enjoy recounting to people?
4. What is the most meaningful compliment you have ever received, and how did it impact you?
5. What activity do you enjoy the most during your leisure time, and what makes it particularly engaging or enjoyable for you?
6. As a child, what career aspirations did you hold, and what motivated or inspired you toward those aspirations?
7. In terms of social dynamics, do you find yourself more inclined towards introversion or extroversion, and how does it influence your interactions and energy levels?
8. If you were to compare yourself to a animal, which animal would you choose, and why does it resonate with your personality or characteristics?
9. If financial constraints were not a factor, how would you choose to allocate your time and pursue your interests or passions?
10. Which movie holds a special place in your heart, and what aspects of the film do you believe reflect or reveal something significant about your personality or values?
11. What particular habit or behavior tends to irritate or annoy you the most?
12. What aspect of your life or work brings you the greatest sense of purpose and fulfillment?
13. Can you recall a particularly embarrassing moment from your past and reflect on how it impacted your growth or self-perception?
14. If you could possess one extraordinary ability or superpower, what would it be, and how do you think it would influence your life or the lives of those around you?
15. What is your zodiac sign, and do you find that it aligns with certain characteristics or traits that resonate with you?
16. Have you ever taken a Myers-Briggs personality test or explored the Enneagram system? If so, what insights have you gained about yourself through these frameworks?
17. What was the most recent topic or query you searched for on Google, and what prompted your curiosity in that subject?
18. If you were to win a substantial lottery prize, how do you envision utilizing the newfound resources to enrich your life or make a positive impact?
Remember to adapt and personalize these questions to suit your guest and the specific topic you’re discussing. Incorporate them into your interview preparation, and aim to create engaging and meaningful conversations that resonate with your audience.
If you have any further questions or need assistance, feel free to ask. I’m here to help you elevate your podcasting interviews to the next level.