One of the easiest and fastest ways to get to know a high profile connection is to offer to produce an interview video for them. Interview videos are fantastic for brand awareness, foot in the door pitches and website content.
Here I will list a few of my favorite interview questions. They not only invoke the imagination, they also bring a sense of personality to the subject.
- First of all, would you introduce yourself?
- What do you like about what you do?
- Do you have any favorite case studies or testimonials?
- Is there anything unique about what you do?
- Are there any bottlenecks in your business?
- On a scale from 1-10, how satisfied are you with your business?
- What would make it a solid 10?
- What do you want people to remember most about your business?
- Who is your ideal client?
- Besides money, why do you want to be successful?
- If money were no object, what would you be doing right now?
- What is your mission or passion in life?
- What is the biggest problem you solve?
- What problem do you struggle with yourself?
- What kind of changes are you ready to see?
- What change would have the biggest impact?
- What incentives do you offer to promoters?
- Do you have a special offer you’d like to share?
- Is there anything you’d like to add?
These kinds of questions are specifically geared at getting acquainted. So, you could call it a “get acquainted interview.” Many of the questions are interchangeable, just pick the ones that seem to fit the moment.
What is great about video recording an interview like this is it can be repurposed into several different kinds of content. It can also be chopped up and edited for smaller bite-sized snippets.
Interviewing Setup Tips
Before the interview, it is essential to have an emotional connection with the interviewee. Spend a few minutes just getting to know each other on a more personal level. Find common interests and people that you have together. Just make some small talk.
Be sure to research the person and their business so you will have some specific knowledge about them.
Never reveal the exact questions you will ask before the interview. A candid, spontaneous response will be the best for making a connection with those that watch or read the interview later.
It is okay to map out a general guideline, like whether the session will be a chronological, topical or thematic based interview.
Be sure everyone has the needed equipment, camera, mic, headphones and nice quiet setting…
Adjust any recording modulation, lighting, sound or settings during the pre-interview setup and talk.
Ask open-ended questions that will lead to interesting discussions.
Try to lead them into telling a story that is a little emotionally charged.
Never talk over one another. Maybe use a hand signal to avoid this mistake.
Listen carefully for ideas as they speak. Sometimes you will get magic.
Ask them to speak in complete and concise thoughts.
Get sound bites when you catch an important point. Ask them to repeat the answer.
Allow them to close with their own thoughts, suggestions or topics.
Would you like to be professionally interviewed?
Expert Interview videos are great for…
- Website content
- Branding awareness
- Press releases
- Social media
- Networking introductions
- Video marketing
- Positioning and authority
- Elevator pitches
- Commercial ads