Proven Interview Techniques for Capturing Insightful Content
Planning an interview for a podcast, market research, or documentary? Well, interviewing isn’t as straightforward as asking questions and taking notes. To ensure you gain valuable information, you must confirm everything is in order before getting started.
5 Proven Interview Techniques to Ensure You Capture Valuable Information
Of course, not everybody possesses immaculate interview techniques from the get-go. However, that isn’t an issue. Almost anyone can conduct an interview successfully and collect valuable information as long as they follow some simple but effective tips.
Before you start interviewing someone, it’s important to understand your role as an interviewer, listen attentively, and carefully pick up on any subtle cues from the subject. So, what other interview techniques can help you get valuable insights? Read on.
1) Prepare Well
Do you want to capture valuable information during an interview? If so, preparation is key! Before starting your conversation with the interviewee, make sure that you write down all questions. Doing this will help you stay on track and get everything done during the interview. You may choose whatever approach works best according to your taste. You can use various strategies, from pen and paper to an organized spreadsheet system.
Preparing well before an interview will help you avoid being overwhelmed by details or spending time thinking up questions. Ensure every question has a purpose to get the most out of the interview. Furthermore, having questions ready can help you better understand the topic before jumping right into it.
2) Select Your Interview Method
Selecting the ideal interview method can be a challenge. Even if you’re an experienced interviewer or a newbie, choosing a way to capture significant data and put your participants at ease is essential. Picking out an approach for interviewing comes with certain considerations, such as:
- Who is supposed to take part in the interview?
- What kind of information do we want to get?
- How long will the interview last?
Having answers to these questions can help you choose the most effective method to get the information you need. Types of interviews include:
- In-person meetings
- Phone interviews
- Structured interview
- Focus group interview
- Video interviews
All these methods have their advantages and disadvantages. For example, in-person interviews might not be suitable if you’re trying to reach out to people in different parts of the world. Under this scenario, phone interviews are the better option. So, be sure to choose a method that works best.
3) Set the Right Questions
When aiming to conduct an effective interview, it’s crucial to craft questions that encompass every relevant aspect of the information you seek. Start with the basics: “who, what, when, where.” These questions form the foundation of your inquiry, helping you gather comprehensive data. Think of your questions as a detective’s toolkit — each one is a tool that, when used effectively, can help unravel the mystery at hand.
But don’t stop there. Delve deeper with “how” and “why” questions. These encourage detailed responses and offer insights into processes, reasons, and motivations. For instance, asking “How did you achieve this?” can reveal methods and strategies, while “Why did you choose this approach?” can uncover underlying reasons or beliefs.
It’s also important to explain to the interviewee the purpose behind your questions. This transparency fosters trust and comfort, making the interviewee more willing to share openly and honestly. Explain the context of the interview and how their responses will contribute to your objectives.
Moreover, be adaptable. While it’s good to have a structured set of questions, be prepared to follow interesting paths that may emerge during the conversation. Sometimes the most insightful information comes from spontaneous, follow-up questions that probe deeper into a subject.
Lastly, remember to listen actively. An interview is not just about asking questions, but also about listening to the answers. This not only shows respect for the interviewee but also helps you to understand their perspective better, ensuring a more fruitful and meaningful interview.
4) Understand Your Interviewees
Every individual is unique. Therefore, assessing their personality is important and ensuring they feel at ease during the interview. Show interest in what they have to say by listening and actively engaging with them.
For instance, when conducting a podcast interview, asking open-ended questions can help create a comfortable environment for the interviewee, leading to better answers. This approach allows for insights into their thoughts and perspectives, showing that you value their opinions more than just seeking information.
Additionally, being attentive to their non-verbal cues, such as body language and tone of voice, can guide you in adjusting the conversation flow and maintaining a relaxed atmosphere. It’s also beneficial to do a bit of background research on the interviewee to tailor your questions more thoughtfully, making them feel recognized and respected.
5) Record Your Interviews
Recording interviews is one of the most crucial aspects of gathering meaningful information. In the event you forget something your interviewee said, it’s a smart way to safeguard yourself. You can use this approach to collect audio and video clips that are beneficial for enhancing the quality of whatever project you’re working on.
After the interview, you can use GoTranscript’s automated system or human transcribers to quickly get a written version of your recordings. Transcripts let you go back and read what you discussed during the interview process, thus making sure nothing important gets lost or misinterpreted.
The best way to record an interview is to ensure you do it in a quiet room with a quality microphone or recording device. This tactic can help you get more accurate recordings, leading to better transcripts and high-quality content in exchange. It’s the way to go for anyone looking to capture the most of any interview.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of doing interviews is a valuable skill for content creators. Preparing well in advance, arranging the right questions, choosing the proper interview method, knowing your interviewees, and recording the session can help you capture insightful content. So, whether you’re conducting interviews for your blog, podcasts, or videos, follow these proven techniques. This way, you can create content that resonates with your audience and leaves a lasting impact.