One thing that I love about this field is the opportunity to interview some very interesting people. I love getting inside people and learning about who they really are and what makes them that way. Every interview is different and sometimes you start an interview about one topic and suddenly the story takes a very different turn.
In journalism school, they teach you the key words of who, what, when, where, why, and how. When working on formulating a question for each of these, I like to take it out of the box and find fun and creative ways to make the interview more interesting.
1. WHO
Who questions can be such fun questions to ask. One of my favorites, especially when I am talking to an individual or small group is, who inspired you? Some of the craziest inspirational stories come out of asking that question. I've done countless interviews where based on the answer to that question, I can formulate an entirely separate article.
Other question ideas:
-Who do you want to be in 10 years?
-Who impacted your life the most?
2. WHAT
What is another question I love asking. While usually, the what is pretty simple in the main base of the article, I love formulating questions around the beginning what. One of the most interesting things I've asked many of my interviewees was, what was the biggest thing you learned about yourself through this? When posing a question such as that, you get the opportunity to dig deeper into your subjects mind.
Other question ideas:
-What is the best piece of advice you would give to the younger generation?
-What was the defining moment that you knew this was what you had to do?
-What sets you apart?
3. WHERE
Where is pretty self explanatory during the initial part of the interview. You are usually going to find out a place or destination. You can have fun with this question though too! One of my favorite go to where questions is where do you think you are making an impact? This question is especially great when you interview public figures. I always find it interesting to hear where they think they are reaching.
Other question ideas:
-Where do you draw inspiration from on a hard day?
-Where do you hope your life takes you?
4. WHEN
The beloved when question also seems like it would be a boring question to ask. It may seem like when is just another date and time informational question. I'm here to tell you that it's not! When questions are so important because they talk about the past. My go to when question is always, when you started did you even think you'd have what you have now? It makes the interviewee think.
Other question ideas:
-When did you know that this was what you were destined for?
-When you are doing what you love, how does it make you feel?
-When are you at your absolute best?
5. WHY
Why is where you can really make your interviewee think about what you are asking them. You can always add why onto the end of a question, but also have some individual why questions ready as well. Why questions are great to get a subject to really delve deep into who they are as a person. One of my favorite why questions is, why do you do what you do?
Other question ideas:
-Why are you so passionate about what you do?
-Why do you feel what you do is so important?
6. HOW
How is another great conversation starter! How opens a great opportunity to explore the ins and outs of a person. I love to learn about my subjects as I interview them so I always rely on how questions to get into their mind. One of my all time favorite how questions is, how did you know this was what you were meant to do?
Other question ideas:
-How do you find the time to fuel your passion?
-How did it all start?
Above all, keep your interview as a conversation and you will get the most out of it. If you are interviewing a public figure, do not act like a fangirl and keep it professional. If you are thinking about just reading off a script of interview questions, don't. Be yourself and just talk to your subject like just another person.
Keep in mind that you also need to construct questions based around who you are interviewing. Not all of these questions will fit every interview you do. My best piece of advice is research. Research your source and know what you are getting into. Have a working understanding of the topic that you will be talking about. That will pay off dividends in the end!
Signing off,
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