In this episode, I share my 10-step podcast interview planning blueprint:
๐ญ. ๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต: without question, the most important step is actually learning about the guest. I donโt short-change this part of the process. I listen to other podcasts theyโve been on, read their book(s), look deep into their #socialmedia (old and new posts), use Wikipedia (talk section), read book reviews (positive and negative), read articles, etc. - the goal is to find interesting facts, powerful insights, impactful stories, as well as avoid questions they're asked in every interview
๐ฎ. ๐ข๐ฟ๐ด๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐ก๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐: I order all the notes according to the flow that I outline below
๐ฏ. ๐ฆ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ด: I like to start with a question they've never been asked before. I try to tap into an emotion, either laughter or tears. Example: (funny) I asked a guest if it would be okay if I ate some Pez to start and pulled out a Pez dispenser because heโs from the birthplace of Pez. (emotion) I read a letter that Jeff Harryโs father wrote to him before he died. He was shocked and touched
๐ฐ. ๐ข๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ถ๐ป ๐ฆ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐: I ask a few origin stories at the beginning to find out what early-life experiences helped to influence who they are today. Example: Chris Do - Why is April 30, 1975 a significant date to you? (this was the day his family immigrated to US from Vietnam)
๐ฑ. ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐น ๐ ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐: I ask questions about times in their life where the was a significant shift or pivot
๐ฒ. ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐๐: I want to tap into their expertise/zone of genius by asking them questions that'll allow them to shine. These are questions that'll yield practical advice that can be implemented. I tie this back to their own life story. The best answers are step-by-step frameworks
๐ณ. ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐น๐น๐ผ๐-๐๐ฝ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐: Based on my research I know their frameworks and concepts so I have clarifying follow-up questions on standby to emphasize key points. I include bulleted details under my questions so I can bring more depth to the conversation
๐ด. ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐จ๐ป๐ถ๐พ๐๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฉ (๐ฃ๐ผ๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฉ๐ถ๐ฒ๐): Listeners donโt want to hear the same thing theyโve heard a million times before. They want new information delivered in a novel way. I look for my guestโs unique perspectives. James Carbary taught me to ask this question "what is a commonly held belief in your industry that you passionately disagree with?"
๐ต. ๐๐๐ถ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐บ ๐จ๐ฝ: I have all their CTAs, websites, books, and social medial handles ready. I say โyou can learn more fromโฆโ then share what I have. I then ask them if they have anything to add. This way they donโt have to self-promote as I do it for them! (Tip: listen to recent interviews theyโve given and pay attention to their current CTAs)
๐ญ๐ฌ. ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ผ๐ป๐ด: I give them the final word then end with a quote or meaningful passage from their book that ties back to what has been coveredLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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