If you’ve never done an audio interview before, you may have some of these frequently asked questions running through your mind:
Q: What exactly is an audio interview?

A: Basically, an audio interview is when someone asks another person some questions and they answer. The whole thing is recorded and can be played back later.

You know when other people have them on their blog, website, or sales page because you see the buttons – play, stop, pause – and maybe a little megaphone symbol. That lets you know there is an audio file to listen to.
Q: Why should I do one?

A: Audio is a very popular medium right now with internet marketers because it gets them results. It turns out people like to listen to what you and your interviewee have to say. In fact, a lot of people would rather listen to you than read what you’ve written.

Audio interviews can help you pre-sell an affiliate product, sell your own product, get students into a coaching program, and brand yourself as an expert. Your interview can even be a quickly and easily created product to sell or give away.

Recorded interviews are your virtual real estate.

 

Q: Who should I interview?

A: You ideally should interview someone who has some knowledge of your niche. If your niche is gardening, then you could interview an expert in square foot gardening, rose gardening, or herb gardening. You could also interview gardening product creators or someone who has used certain products very successfully.

You can also turn the tables and ask someone to interview you. Let them ask you the questions so you’re positioned as the expert.
Q: What should I ask them?

A: Before you decide what to ask them, decide what you want the outcome, the end result to be. If you’re an affiliate and you’re going to interview the creator of the product, you’re going to ask them questions surrounding the product. If you’re interviewing someone in order to create a product, then make the subject surround a subject of your choice.

The interview can last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your circumstances. Typically, you write out the questions beforehand and send them to the interviewee so they can prepare. Sometimes the person being interviewed will write out their own questions.

Another option regarding questions is to survey your readers in your niche. Ask them what they’d most like to know and give them some general topics to choose from.
Q: What skills do I need?

A: Interviewing is a skill that improves with practice. Try interviewing your spouse or your best friend and record it to see what you sound like. Pay attention to “ya know”, “um” and any other audio bad habits you might have. Practice good segues so you can go seamlessly from answer to next question. Listen and analyze other interviews to help you decide what makes for a good interview and how to sound somewhat professional.

You’ll also need to have a recording method that will do a good job recording you and your interviewee clearly. Other decisions will be where the recording will be stored and how you will get it to your subscribers or customers.

Incorporating audio interviews into your marketing plan makes good business sense. You don’t have to be an audio expert; just come across as a real sincere person with something interesting to say.