Influencer Marketing

No matter how close you might get with your interviewees, you should always maintain a high level of professionalism. Being professional will help ensure that the interview goes smoothly and you both feel like you’re getting the value you need out of the experience. Here are tips on giving a professional interview.

Be Prepared

Do everything you need to do in order to be fully prepared for the interview. Create a good outline with questions that you’ll ask the interviewee, and ask them to review the questions before the interview. Make sure that all of the technology you’re using works and do a quick run-through with the equipment s. Rehearse your introduction and wrap-up so that it will be smooth during the actual interview.

Honor the Schedule

Set a date, time and venue for the interview, and be there on that date and time. Give the interviewee a clear idea of how long the interview will be; for example, an hour long. Whatever time you set, stick to it. If you go long on time, you could be wasting your influencer’s valuable time or interfering with their other commitments.

Know Your Interviewee

Research your interviewee so that you know as much about them as possible. Professional interviewers know their interview subjects very well. If you don’t, it could be insulting to your interviewee and a waste of time. Knowing your subject well helps you to ask the right questions and present the information that’s most important for your audience to know.

Good Grooming

Take a moment to consider how you will dress and present yourself to your interviewee. Dress nicely and appropriately. Try to understand their expectations and meet them. Good grooming also helps to make you look more professional.

Spotlight on the Interviewee

Throughout the entire process, the spotlight should be solidly on the interviewee. Don’t make the interview about yourself or an unrelated topic. The sole focus should be on the expert and their knowledge and experience. This is the reason why your listeners are tuning in and it’s why the expert showed up for the interview.

Thank Sincerely and Often

Approach your interview subjects with a humble attitude and thank them often for taking the time and trouble. Remember that well-known experts are busy and besieged with offers just like yours. The fact that they’ve chosen you to interview them and cleared out a part of their schedule for you is a huge favor to you. Make sure that they understand how grateful you are.

All of this might sound intimidating when you’re just getting started doing interviews, but it will become second nature over time. Each time you conduct an interview, you’ll be less nervous and more natural.

I have recently released a training course on how to Find and Interview Influencers. Learn more: www.InterviewingInfluencers.com

Interviewing Influencers