How To Get People Talking When There’s a Microphone
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you need to capture someone’s expertise or insights, but they clam up the moment the microphone gets turned on? It’s a common challenge, but fear not – I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that can help even the most camera-shy individuals open up and share their knowledge.
Start Recording Early, Stay Late
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when conducting an interview is limiting the recording time to just the official “interview” portion. The truth is, some of the best nuggets of wisdom often come before or after the main event. That’s why my first piece of advice is to start recording well before the interview begins and keep rolling even after it’s officially wrapped up.
There are a couple of reasons for this. First, it ensures that you don’t miss out on any golden quotes or insights that might slip out in those seemingly innocuous moments of small talk or wrap-up. You’d be surprised how often people let their guard down and say something truly insightful when they think the formal interview is over.
Secondly, it saves you from that awkward fumbling around with equipment at the start of the interview, which can disrupt the flow and make your subject even more tense or self-conscious. By having the camera and mic already rolling, you can just dive right in without any technical distractions.
Of course, you’ll want to let your interviewee know that you’re recording from the get-go and get their consent to use any pre- or post-interview material. But in my experience, 99% of people are totally cool with it once you explain the rationale.
Demystify the Setup
Speaking of helping people feel at ease, another key tactic is to give your subject a detailed walkthrough of the technical setup before you start. Whether it’s pointing out where the camera is positioned, explaining the purpose of the lighting rig, or letting them know if they’re free to move around or touch the mic, removing that sense of mystery can go a long way toward putting them in a more relaxed mindset.
Think about it – if you’ve never been in a recording environment before, it can be pretty intimidating. All those unfamiliar gadgets and equipment, not to mention the pressure of having a camera pointed at you, is enough to make even the most seasoned public speaker a bit anxious.
But by taking the time to explain the nuts and bolts of the setup, you’re not only giving them a better understanding of their physical boundaries but also demonstrating that there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s all just standard gear, and knowing how it works can help them feel more at home in that environment.
Plus, the mere act of walking them through the process shows that you care about their comfort level and are willing to go the extra mile to make the experience as stress-free as possible. That level of consideration can be a huge confidence booster in and of itself.
Open Up First
My third tip for getting people to open up during an interview is a bit more philosophical: you have to be willing to open up first. As the interviewer, you’re the one holding the proverbial microphone, which automatically puts you in a position of power and control. To help neutralize that dynamic and encourage your subject to let their guard down, try sharing something about yourself upfront.
It doesn’t have to be anything too personal or profound – maybe just a quick anecdote about your hectic morning with the kids, or an admission of your own ignorance about the topic at hand. The key is to humanize yourself a bit and show that you’re not just an impersonal inquisitor, but a real person who can relate to their experiences and perspectives.
I find that using a touch of self-deprecating humor can also work wonders in this regard. A little gentle ribbing at your own expense – like joking about how you’re normally just a sheltered office worker who has no idea what it’s like to do “real work” – can not only lighten the mood but also signal to your subject that you’re not taking yourself too seriously. And when they sense that level of humility and approachability, they’re far more likely to reciprocate by opening up in kind.
Of course, you don’t want to go overboard with the personal sharing or self-deprecation to the point where it becomes a distraction. But a well-timed quip or relatable anecdote can work wonders in terms of establishing a rapport and setting the right tone for an engaging, insightful conversation.
The Takeaway
So there you have it – my three go-to strategies for getting people comfortable enough to really open up and share their insights when a microphone is involved. To recap:
- Start recording early and stay late to capture any bonus material before or after the official interview.
- Demystify the technical setup so your subject knows exactly what to expect and can feel at home in that environment.
- Be willing to open up and share something about yourself first, using a bit of self-deprecating humor if appropriate.
Trust me, if you master these three simple tactics, you’ll be well on your way to conducting interviews that are not only informative but also engaging and natural-sounding. So next time you find yourself tasked with extracting knowledge from an expert source, don’t be afraid to deploy these tricks – your audience will thank you for delivering truly insightful, high-quality content.
