When it comes to creating engaging interview podcasts, the first question you ask your guest sets the tone for the entire episode and is a great opportunity to grab your audience’s attention. Crafting an effective and impactful opening question requires understanding the type of questions that work best: what questions. Get ready to explore why “what” questions are most effective for podcast openings, discuss how to craft an optimal “what” question, and provide tips on creating an open and safe space for guests.
Why Your Podcast’s First Question Matters
The first few seconds of your podcast are vital because audiences today want to get to the value as soon as possible. Because of this, your first question should set the guest up to deliver an amazing, energetic, and insightful answer that gives the audience what they came for. A great way to get that type of answer from your guest is to ask them a question that lets them answer from an overlapping area of passion and expertise. That’s no small task, so let’s get into how you can use this in your podcast.
Why “What” Is The Best Starting Question For A Podcast
So why should podcasters opt for a “what” question when beginning an episode? The answer is simple: “what” questions encourage guests to share long, detailed answers that showcase their expertise. This first question is also referred to as a podcast’s “Q1”. The beauty of this type of question lies in its ability to let guests dive right into an answer that comes from an overlapping area of their expertise and passion. This can be highly beneficial in terms of providing energetic and value-packed answers that engage the audience. This helps listeners gain a deeper understanding of the topic while also providing them with interesting and relevant information they won’t find elsewhere.
On the other hand, questions starting with words like “who”, “when”, “where”, “why” or “how” often yield short generic responses that don’t fully tap into a guest’s knowledge base or passion for the topic at hand. Crafting a compelling opening question using the word “what” can draw viewers in from start to finish by aiding in generating longer conversations filled with interesting content.
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Crafting An Effective Opening Question For Your Podcast
In order to craft a compelling opening question that aligns with your show’s goal and name as well as appeals to your audience’s interests, consider asking a specific “what” question relevant to the guest’s profession or area of expertise.
For example, if you’re interviewing a marketing expert then inquire about misconceptions around their industry by asking: “What is the biggest misconception about marketing?” This kind of targeted query gives room for your guest to discuss their experience and share information with viewers in an informative manner that also holds appeal among listeners.
Why You Shouldn’t Start Your Podcast With These Types Of Questions
- When: Most people aren’t great storytellers and without a reason to be invested in the story, the audience won’t stick around.
- Where: This question can also lead to rambling stories or short answers which can kill the momentum and energy of your podcast right from the start.
- Who: This is a great way to get a short answer which means you as the host have to drag the conversation along.
- How: If a “how” question is too vague it can lead guests to share extremely specific tactics that aren’t relevant to the conversation and hold little value for the audience. Whereas, if a “how” question is too specific and the guest doesn’t actually know the right answer, they could start making stuff up. Unfortunately for them, it’s plain as day for the host and especially the audience.
- Why: Unless a guest has put a lot of thought into the reason behind why they do something the way they do, they likely won’t have a great answer and can become uncomfortable if the question gets too close to something they want to keep private.
Examples Of Good Starting Questions For Your Podcast
So what are some good starting questions that begin with “what?” Here a few examples:
- What is a marketing myth, misconception, or bogus strategy that you’d like to smash?
- What does ______ mean to you?
- What will people working in _____ need to know?
As you can see, these questions are specific and invite the guest to share something personal and unique. By asking these kinds of questions, you’re encouraging your guest to reveal their personality, passions, and interests. This can help establish a rapport between you and your guest and lead to more engaging and insightful conversations.
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The Benefits Of Starting Your Interview With “What”
Starting with “what” can have several benefits for both the host and the guest. For the host, it sets a positive tone for the rest of the conversation and can help establish rapport with the guest. It also helps the host to better understand the guest’s perspective and interests, which can be useful when guiding the conversation. By starting with “what,” you’re setting the stage for a conversation that is focused on the guest and their experiences.
For the guest, starting with “what” can be a relief. They don’t have to come up with a clever or insightful response to a complex question right off the bat. Instead, they can share something valuable that is also important to them, which can help them feel more comfortable and confident as the conversation continues. By starting with “what,” you’re giving your guest the opportunity to ease into the conversation and share something that they’re passionate about.
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If you’re thinking about starting a podcast or already have a show, don’t get too caught up in the exact wording of your Q1. The important parts are to make sure you’re asking questions you’re genuinely curious about and that the guest can answer from a place of passion and expertise. If you want to learn more, schedule a consultation with our team!