Max can you earmuff it for me?

I like to think that I’m self-aware.  I know that I learn visually, like to experiment, and tend to jump in the water to see I can stay afloat.  Over the years, I’ve also discovered that I’m don’t have the best listening skills.  My mind tends to wander if a speaker, book, or film isn’t captivating within the first 10-15 minutes.  In an age where there is so much digital noise around you, it is really easy to filter out content that isn’t appealing.

Whatever, this is my shortcoming and you know you’re guilty of it too.

So, when you know there are people like me in the world, especially amidst the chaotic environment we live in today, how do you connect with listeners in a podcast?  Uncovering the podcasting world is new for me, so I’m really curious as to how successful podcast producers keep their audience engaged.

Here’s a hint:  The answer is in the question.

I recently attended a lecture given by Peg Achterman, a journalist veteran and a professor at the University of Washington, who focuses on podcasting interviewing techniques.  She recommended ways to achieve getting the “meat” of your podcast.  Her advice?  Asking open-ended questions.

Now this advice may seem a bit cliché to many of you, but asking open-ended questions is like an art.  Sure, there are easy starters like:

• Tell me reasons why…
• Why do you think…
• What is your take on…

But, there are also ways to “super size” your open-ended question to help deliver better results.

Ask to clarify.
If you didn’t get the answer you wanted, don’t crawl back into your hole and settle with what you got.  Dig into your teenage years when you didn’t want to take no for answer (especially from your parents).   Being shy in an interview is going to leave you cooking your podcast with fake meat.

Pull the secondary move.
Pretend you’re David Frost during his last Nixon interview.  Follow answers with secondary questions that will help provide the detail and accuracy you want and need.  Squeeze the juicy content that will help grab your listeners’ attention.  Think Gossip – the juicier, the better.

Nudge them!
Play Curious George.  Encourage your interviewee by providing constructive feedback.  Whether they’ve realized it or not, people love talking about themselves.  Give them the push they need to release their inhibitions.

And if these suggestions do not work, you may need to switch to a video podcast (just kidding, or am I?).