209 How to Improve Your Podcast Interview Skills with 'Expander Questions'

05/14/24 • 4 min

Just One Tip from Your Podcast Performance Coach

Struggling to get insightful answers from your guests?

This episode's all about going beyond surface-level interviews and crafting conversations that captivate listeners.

We all know the feeling: you book a fantastic guest, but when the mics roll, they clam up. ‍ One-word answers make for a snoozefest, and you're left scrambling to salvage the episode.

Enter expander questions! These gems are your secret weapon to crack open even the toughest nuts.

Expander questions aren't about padding the episode. They're about creating a 3D listening experience. Think vivid details, emotional connection, and real-world application. That's how you grab listeners and keep them hooked!

Here's your emergency interview kit: (Bookmark these!)

Clarify: "Tell me more about that" or "Can you elaborate?"
Feelings: "How did that make you feel?" or "What emotions came up?"
Details: "Walk us through the process" or "What specific steps did you take?"
Connect: "How does this relate to your overall experience?" or "Have you faced similar situations?"
Apply it: "What can listeners learn from this?" or "How can they use your advice?"
Quirky: "What childhood experience prepared you for this?" (Fun twist!)

Remember, the key is to listen actively and be genuinely curious. Let go of your script and follow the conversation where it leads. Trust me, it's way more fun that way!

Also for your earballs:

Episode 014 Mastering Open Ended Questions

https://podcastperformancecoach.com/014-mastering-open-ended-questions/

Want to master the interview and skyrocket your podcast? Book your free coaching call today and let's build your expander question arsenal together!

Get on my calendar here: https://calendly.com/timwohlberg

https://podcastperformancecoach.com/

Struggling to get insightful answers from your guests?

This episode's all about going beyond surface-level interviews and crafting conversations that captivate listeners.

We all know the feeling: you book a fantastic guest, but when the mics roll, they clam up. ‍ One-word answers make for a snoozefest, and you're left scrambling to salvage the episode.

Enter expander questions! These gems are your secret weapon to crack open even the toughest nuts.

Here's your emergency interview kit: (Bookmark these!)

Clarify: "Tell me more about that" or "Can you elaborate?"
Feelings: "How did that make you feel?" or "What emotions came up?"
Details: "Walk us through the process" or "What specific steps did you take?"
Connect: "How does this relate to your overall experience?" or "Have you faced similar situations?"
Apply it: "What can listeners learn from this?" or "How can they use your advice?"
Quirky: "What childhood experience prepared you for this?" (Fun twist!)

Remember, the key is to listen actively and be genuinely curious. Let go of your script and follow the conversation where it leads. Trust me, it's way more fun that way!

Also for your earballs:

Episode 014 Mastering Open Ended Questions

https://podcastperformancecoach.com/014-mastering-open-ended-questions/

Want to master the interview and skyrocket your podcast? Book your free coaching call today and let's build your expander question arsenal together!

Get on my calendar here: https://calendly.com/timwohlberg

https://podcastperformancecoach.com/

Previous Episode

208 How the Interview Podcast Model Could be Hurting You

You thought podcasting was your shortcut to authority, right?

But are those endless interviews REALLY serving you or your listeners?

Let's face it, interviews feel easy. But are they getting you closer to your goals? This episode cracks open the truth about why solo shows might be your podcast's secret weapon.

We'll explore why interviews can be a crutch, and how focusing on solo episodes can help you:

Become the Authority: Showcase your own expertise and build trust with your audience.
Connect on a Deeper Level: Speak directly to your listeners, instead of ignoring them like a fly on the wall.
Boost Engagement: Craft laser-focused episodes that resonate with your target audience.

Nervous about going solo? Don't worry!

I'll share a winning formula to keep your solo shows simple, engaging, and results-driven. I even share a mini-case study of how this worked for one of my clients.

If you decide to keep interviews as part of your plan, I've got some top tips for interviewing guests that won't leave your listeners feeling left out AND build that listener relationship while showcasing your expertise.

So ditch the interview crutch and get ready to connect with your audience on a whole new level.

Let's make your podcast the marketing tool it was always meant to be.

Need Help?

Get on my calendar for a FREE PODCAST COACHING SESSION

https://calendly.com/timwohlberg

Or visit

https://podcastperformancecoach.com/