A great interview sounds effortless. In reality, the best conversations usually come from careful preparation, active listening and knowing when to move away from the questions you originally planned.
For radio presenters, podcasters and content creators, interviewing is one of the most valuable communication skills you can develop.
Research Before You Start
Good interviews begin long before the microphone is switched on.
Research your guest, their background and the subject you’re discussing. Look beyond the obvious information and identify areas that could lead to interesting conversations.
The goal isn’t to demonstrate how much research you’ve done. It’s to understand enough to ask better questions.
Start With a Clear Purpose
Ask yourself what the listener should understand by the end of the interview.
Are you trying to tell someone’s story? Explain an issue? Challenge an argument? Discover something new?
Knowing the purpose helps you decide which questions deserve more time.
Ask Questions That Encourage Conversation
Questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” often limit a conversation.
Open questions such as “What happened next?” or “Why do you think that happened?” give guests more room to explain themselves.
But there are times when a direct question is exactly what’s needed. Good interviewing is about knowing the difference.
Listen to the Answer
Your prepared questions should be a guide, not a checklist.
If your guest says something unexpected or interesting, explore it.
Some of the strongest follow-up questions are surprisingly simple:
Why?
What do you mean by that?
How did that affect you?
Following the conversation can produce much stronger material than rushing toward the next prepared question.
Don’t Be Afraid of Silence
Presenters sometimes feel they need to fill every second.
You don’t.
A brief pause can encourage a guest to think, elaborate or reveal something they might otherwise have left unsaid.
Know When to Challenge
Good interviewing doesn’t mean agreeing with everything your guest says.
When appropriate, challenge contradictions, ask for evidence or return to a question that hasn’t been answered.
The key is maintaining control without turning every disagreement into an argument.
Bring the Audience With You
Never forget the person listening.
Avoid unnecessary jargon, provide context when required and ask questions your audience would naturally want answered.
Your job is not simply to have an interesting conversation. It’s to make that conversation interesting to somebody listening to it.
Improve Your Interviewing Skills
The Art of the Interview at The Niall Boylan Broadcast Academy explores the practical skills behind research and preparation, asking the right questions and handling difficult guests.
Learning how to interview effectively can improve radio programmes, podcasts and almost any form of professional communication.
