Are you doing an interview podcast? Could you use some interviewing tips?

You're in luck... 'cause I'm about to give you some (and point you to some great resources to help you even more).

Interviewing seems like a pretty simple thing.

You ask a question. Your guest answers.

But there's a lot more to good interviewing than that... and it's not so much about what you KNOW as about what you DO.

I've carried on over 100 interviews on my previous podcast and have done other interviews live in various settings.

You've got to be able to "think on your feet" and keep the conversation flowing in a positive direction.

And in the back of your mind as you interview every guest, you have to be thinking, "Does this interview benefit my listeners?"

My interviewing tips

I'd love for my experience to be of benefit to you, so if you want to know how to interview - here are my top 10 interviewing tips!

Get organized before you contact your guest

Most people you're going to have on your podcast are professionals.

They've got a busy life and shouldn't have to suffer through your lack of organization.

So make sure you get your ducks in a row before you reach out to them.

Your guest will greatly appreciate a handful of things from you before you start.

Here's my short-list:

• Clarity on what you want to talk with them about
• An accurate estimation of time requirements for the interview (be sure to include time before and after to leave room for technical issues)
• A list of possible questions (you don't have to go exactly by questions you send, but as a courtesy this is helpful to your guests)
• Clarity regarding time-zone issues. To avoid these problems altogether use a scheduling app like http://meetme.so
• Technical requirements for a good interview (use headphones, use an external mic, hard-wired connections VS wireless, etc.)

You're welcome to tweak my "For my guests" email I send to every interview guest.

GET IT HERE

What do you need to add to it?

Set a goal for your interview

Too many interviews are rambling romps through memory and anecdotes.

That can be fun but if you want your guest interviews to be tremendously helpful to your audience, I'd suggest you map out the end result you have in mind.

Why are you interviewing this particular person?

What do they have that your audience needs?

What would be the ideal, best-in-the-world end result to come of your interview?

Answer those questions and you're well on your way to making them happen.

That leads us to the next step:

Think through your questions ahead of time

The questions you develop should put you on a path toward your goal.

They are the way you chart the course to the end result you want.

Bad interviews come from unprepared hosts.

Don't be one of those.

Start here:

• What does this person bring that is of particular importance or interest to your audience?
• How can you draw that out? What kind of questions would help you do that?
• Is there something you want to know from this person that nobody has ever thought to ask?
• If you could only ask this person one question, what would it be? (That will give you an idea of what's most important to talk about)
• Is it really all that important to do the "tell us your story" bit at the beginning? Maybe not.
• Is there a way you could approach the interview that...