Legendary talk show host Jack Paar once said: “Don’t do interviews.”
“Interviews are boring,” Paar would say. “Make it a conversation.”
Whether you are using interviews as part of your product or course or you have a podcast or serve as a producer for a third-party project, you never want to feel like your interview is stilted or forced—you want it to flow like you are talking to an old friend.
This has been top of mind for me because over the last four months I’ve had the honor of interviewing fascinating coaches, celebrities, and former NBA stars about their experience with UCLA Coach John Wooden. And along the way I’ve collected my top tips for conducting outstanding interviews.
You can check out my all new business lesson from the road below. Make sure to leave me a comment: Tell me about the interviews you’ve done, or how you’re going to use these tips!
Hi Pam
Love the video, inspiring as usual. The only thing is it’s stopping at 7.43. Is there a bug ? I read the transcript though. Have a nice day.
h no! You are right Fannie – working on getting it fixed now so you have access to the end of the blog. Something got messed when they video was exported and uploaded. Good thinking to use the transcript in the meantime, but we’ll get the video audio fixed asap. Thanks!
It’s all good now – Fannie, thanks for noticing the video upload challenge. My bad and now it’s all there!
Thanks for sharing these tips Pam. Glas you’re enjoying so much the process of building this course on Coach Wooden 😉 You certainly teased it well in many if your videos that I am really curious to see what it is all about when it comes out 😉
Hi Pam,
Your practical tips can definitely apply to interviewing business owners for creating their marketing content. Regarding your first point ‘selecting the right people to interview’ in this application, the audience will always be the business owner’s tribe.
How well do you believe creating marketing content for small/micro business owners from interviews could work, or not?
Thanks!
Hi Pam,
I have to say, the Video is great and it came in at the right time for me, actually, because I am in the next day or two going out into the countryside to visit some sites. I’ve already planned to take my Camcorder to take some shots so with this new skill you’ve shared, I might try interviewing, on a light note, some of the locals about potential encroachments on properties in my late oldman’s Will. Its gonna be good fun. Thanks again and welcome to an update later.
Chao!
Harry in Accra, Ghana.
Pam-awesome Video blog post-as usual. Youalways OVER deliver on value and substantive content!
Catching up on your posts is one of my favorite NOT guilty pleasures, especially on a rainy Minnesota afternoon!
I am embarking (or more like rebooting?), a previous career as a producer, and host-yes interviewing others is passion of mine! The online platform has made it easier to use as a communication tool, to build your messaging, your influence and of course make an impact with many people. The issue I have seen is people using it without any planning or structure. and more for entertainment not substance. Thanks for your insight and observations from your Coach Wooden experience. Your community is winning on many levels with this experience!