My guest counts. My guest is more important than me. I don’t use the word “I.” I ask short questions. I listen to the answers.
Interview with Larry King from The Talk – Chicago Tribune
After 400 shows as a producer/host on national cable for Wisdom Television, I learned a thing or two.
Who was my media coach? You guessed it. Larry King. Watched him every night.
Here are a few things I learned.
1. This is probably the most important point that Larry made. Your guest is the star of the show. Not you. Do not give your opinion on anything. Do not tell stories about your experiences. Nobody cares.
2. Research. Research. Research. Pretend your guest has asked for a big loan. Check out everything about them. Make a list of all possible questions. Give your guest the list and have them add to yours. Give them the probable first question.
3. Short intro. No more than two minutes. I always liked to start with a question. Like “Are you wondering what to do about —-? (whatever) We have help for you today. ” You want to engage your listener right away. Then, a few credentials. Do not mention why you asked them to be on your show. That’s about you. This interview is about them. Thank them warmly for coming on.
4. Listen. I know you have YOUR LIST. But if your guest says something provocative, stop and ask about it.
I swear I have heard some interviewers who if their guest said, “I just drowned my cat,” instead of saying, “WHAT???” would go on to their next question. This is a conversation, not an interrogation.
5. Assume your audience knows nothing. So start with the basics. For example, I once had an author on my TV show who was a Buddhist nun. She was surprised when I told her my first question was “Who was Buddha?” She said everyone knew. They don’t.
6. Ask a question once. Don’t add a tail on it like, “In your book you refer to —-Can you explain it? I mean that is quite a statement. Where did you get that idea?”
Let the first question hang out there. Your guest got the question the first time.
One of my favorite questions Larry King asks is just “Why?”
7. Don’t interrupt.. Unless your guest is hijacking your show with self-promotion. Then interrupt and bring them back to explore an earlier point in the interview. Tell them in advance you will promote them. They don’t have to do it.
8. No personal questions. Unless you clear it with your guest first.
9. Avoid technical terms. See #5.
10. At the end of the interview, be sure to thank your guest for taking the time to come on your show.
11. Recap their bio briefly at the close – “We have been talking to -etc.
12. Don’t promote yourself until the very end. You are entitled to a short promo but make it real and appropriate and short. Maybe just your web site.
13. Thanks for listening to me today. I’m Corinne Edwards and I am a media coach.
And special thanks to you, Larry. You are a great teacher. Can’t wait to read your new book, My Remarkable Journey.
For more information on how I might help you, click here.
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Corinne, These people SHOULD listen to you — you really know your stuff. I know. I saw almost all of your 400 shows on TV and I really never knew anything about you because you gave all your questions and your time to your guest.
I learned so much from you. Shutting up was the biggest.And when you close .. close. And PLEASE – no interrupting.That’s why I also love Larry King … but I love your style more.
Larry is just not very bright… but the big guys trust him because he never makes his guests feel small and stupid.
Hi Corinne, nice interview. I especially like your take away lessons.
Jonathan – Advanced Life Skillss last blog post..Where Does Disappointment Come From?
Dear Lily Rose -
Thanks for the nice compliment. Maybe you are a little bit prejudiced! But I like it anyway.
And Jonathan -
Thanks for the comment. There is so much on the Internet on how to put audio and video on your blog.
Nobody talks about what you say when you get a guest!
Hope this helps.
Corinne – I love the Morning Joe show on MSNBC in the mornng but do not really like Joe Scarborough — You MUST contact him via email and send this post. He is the pefect example of how NOT to interview – it’s always about Joe and I wish he would just shup up and listen to his guests. I really like the other hosts and guests – but HIM — he should just shutup.
Can you do something about this?
Dear Lily Rose -
I have enough enemies as it is.
You send it. But I do agree. He interrupts too much!
Here’s the link to send!
http://www.personal-growth-with-corinne-edwards.com/interview-like-larry-king-learning-from-the-pro/
Excellent post. I also agree about that Joe Scarborough. It IS always all about him. He’s the poster boy for how NOT to do an interview!
Nice post! I love Larry King too…but why does he sometimes seem so rude to call in guests?
mikes last blog post..Cheap Flight Detroit
Mike – He is rude to callers because he is a stupid, rude man but a great interviewer. It’s never about him so maybe that’s why he’s so mean to callers ….
What do I know — he’s a millionaire many times over – wasn’t he married about 6 times at least? He sure does one thing right. Many think he is not very bright and therefore can’t really debate with anyone.
Corinne – I am going to send it to MSNBC – we are not the only ones who feel this way about Morning Joe – but what do you expect from someone from the Redneck Riviera?
Der Mike and Lily Rose -
I want to defend Larry on the perception of his being rude to callers.
First, I want to tell you that I have done live call in shows on TV.
WE ALWAYS HAD SCREENERS to talk to the person first. You have no idea how many nutbags there are out there. And porn people who want to get their two minutes of fame.
In Larry’s case, I am sure they also suggest that they do not want any commentators. This is an international show and every minute counts.
They obviously don’t want any long winded memories of the guest – when they first saw them – how much they like them etc etc. THEY DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS AND IT IS NOT THAT INTERESTING.
So, even if the questioner is warned, sometimes they still do it.
Larry does not even want them saying, “Thank you for taking my call.” He will go right away to -
“WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION?”
It is strictly about the show and time.
Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh. He has no class.
Corinne,
Great article, but I’ve never been a big fan of Larry King. Nothing against him really, and he does know how to do an interview, but he just doesn’t wind my clock. Maybe it’s because his shows are question and answer sessions and not interactive debates. I do like that they are civil.
I don’t think he should take live calls with questions. He should have people email or call in questions ahead of time and he can ask the ones that should be asked. With time so tight, they need to change that part of the format.
He is the guy to watch to learn how to ask questions and listen to the answers. He’s strictly journalistic and doesn’t partake in punditry or analysis, and we need great journalists in this world. He’s great at what he does.
It’s an “it’s me not him” situation.
They put Mika Brzynsky on with Morning Joe because his ratings were dropping. He’s too abrasive and she balances him out brilliantly. He’s also beginning to not fit MSNBC. He’s conservative for the more and more liberal-leaning network.
Not on his own show, but when on a panel of guests on other shows, Joe has shown a hot temper. He’s thrown down his microphone and walked off the set more than once in the last couple of years. I guess that’s better than having a yelling match with another panelist, but he really needs to learn to debate without getting so emotionally involved that he loses his temper on set. If someone were personally attacking him, he would have a reason to be so angry, but these are issue discussions, and he gets torqued when he can’t beat or at least match the non-conservatives with a smart argument.
Chris Matthews of Hardball interrupts his guests and panelists as soon as he asks them a question. It drives me nuts to watch his show. Ed Shultz is similar, and that drives me nuts, too. I hardly ever watch them because of that.
I don’t want to hear a fight where two people or more are trying to yell over each other. I want to hear what the guest and the host have to say so I can learn something.
Sherri
Being the Change I Wish to See – Sherri´s last blog ..Origins of Influenza A (H1N1) and Precautions
Hi Sherri -
You have certainly covered the waterfront here! Finally found someone who is as much of a news junkie as I am.
I agree about the calls coming in to Larry King. They are such a time waster. They should choose the questions in advance. But it is an hour show – so I guess it fills up some time.
I love Chris Matthews. When he laughs I break up. Also, there is nothing like a good fight I would not want to join. That’s the penalty for being half Irish.
I can’t warm up to Ed Schultz. I switch to CNN when he comes on.
Funny I just got a call from my son who is hung up at the airport in Washington DC. Weather.
So was your friend Joe. they had a nice chat with him and he was very pleasant. (Except for the canceled flights)
Corinne,
A lot of people I’m connected with seem to have met Joe Scarborough. Everyone reports him to be a nice guy in person. Not sure what happens to him when he goes on air. TV personality comes out? I don’t know.
I confess. I admit it. I’m a news junkie. Whether in the car listening to NPR or a podcast, or watching cable news, or watching a video podcast on my computer of a news show, I’m hooked. Lots of my feeds into Google Reader are also news topics.
I don’t know who is LOST, I have no idea who the SURVIVOR is, the only things I know about AMERICAN IDOL are what come on the news, and DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES will have to stay desperate without me as a witness. I love CSI, but it’s on against Rachel Maddow, so I buy the DVDs of that show and watch RM at 8. If I miss her, I get the podcast. If you miss the jump between Keith and Rachel, kickittorachel on YouTube publishes those segments regularly. Wish they would put them on one of the podcasts. Sometimes they do, most of the time they don’t.
Sherri
Being the Change I Wish to See – Sherri´s last blog ..Origins of Influenza A (H1N1) and Precautions
Hi Sherri -
I am starting to think we are twins.
I saw one episode of Desperate Housewives. Never saw Survivor. Liked American Idol the first season. Gone too. LOST? Who is lost? Never saw it.
What I am obsessed with is HBO’s In Treatment. But they are off for the summer so I will have to go outside and enjoy Lake Michigan instead. If it ever stops raining here.
In the meantime, we have plenty to watch with Twitter footage of Iran on CNN. Would you have ever believed it two years ago?
Do you have any idea how wierd we are?
Corinne,
I’m starting to think we may be twins as well.
Yes, I know how weird we are, and I like being weird. I’m a nerd, dork and geek. I answer to all three. Being a geek allows us to sail under the radar. But now there is geek chic, so we’re not as anonymous.
I never would have believed I would be more interested in the Iran Twitter stream and cable news than what’s on TV for entertainment even one year ago. I try to imagine what Tienanmen might have been like today with the decentralized internet apps that allow so much info out of Iran now. What might the consequences to China have been?
When our electricity and cable went down during Gustav, we didn’t miss TV. We took our laptops to anywhere that had cheap food and drinks and free WiFi. We were miserable without the internet. I never would have guessed that either.
I never would have guessed I’d be a blogger and actually have something worth saying. Being a math/science geek often precludes one from being a writer, but I always liked it. I also spent a lot of my college years, while trying to find myself, taking a wide variety of liberal arts classes. I have 165 semester hours and it took me 6 years to finally settle on a major, finish it and graduate.
I’m a slow bloomer no matter what I try. I seem to have to explore to find what I want to do through circuitous routes. No straight and narrow paths for me. I seem to need to go through the woods and blaze new trails.
After reading your 25 things, you seem to have to do the same thing at times.
Here’s to being weird! Mix up a Mamie Taylor (circa 1899) and head out to Lake Michigan. I’m taking the mosquito repellent and a Mamie Taylor out early in the morning when it’s below 80. If I wait much past dawn, it’s too hot and humid to sit outside.
Sherri
P.S. How to mix a Mamie Taylor:
2 shots Scotch Whisky (Blended)
juice from 1/2 a fresh lime.
Ginger Beer (to taste).
Squeeze the lime into a tall glass filled with ice, and then add the Whisky; finally, add Ginger Beer to taste, remembering that this is meant to be a long drink.
ginger beer is ginger ale.
Being the Change I Wish to See – Sherri´s last blog ..Origins of Influenza A (H1N1) and Precautions
Hi Corinne,
great article and – if I am allowed to say that – just in time. As I am planning an interview with a book author for my blog, I think I could / should apply some of these rules to the interview. I am pretty sure – although it of course should bring traffic to my website – that the more I take my personality out of it and concentrate on my “guest” the more valuable it will be for the readers. What do you think? Any comments on this topic?
As a guy from Europe I – of course – know Larry King, but only saw short snippets of his show. You make me curious. All the other stuff is not interesting for (American Idol, LOST etc. etc.). The one casting show I love at the moment is BBCs Dragon’s Den. Do you know that? Where people enter the den, presenting business ideas and try to convince venture capitalists (the Dragons) to invest? But may that’s too offtopic.
All the best from Germany
Phil
Phil´s last blog ..Welcome to Excel-King
Corrine,
The very first item is the hardest to overcome. It is so easy to be about me, me, me, and “I” for one use that single letter far too much.
Larry never impressed me as being a great person but now it sure makes sense as to why his show was always so popular to the masses.
If we all used these same tactics in every day life and particularly in our sales offers, it is very apparent that success would be achieved.
Thanks for the insight.
Rich
Rich Hill´s last blog ..Does Any Average Blogger Make Money with Tweets that are Sponsored?
Hey Rich,
as a subscriber to the comments of this amazing post I felt the duty to simply say thank you for your comment (sorry, Corinne, don’t want to overtake your blog
). You are so right especially when it comes to the sales perspective!!! And you can apply this approach to several other areas in your life as well! E. g. for a blog (like this one): If you focus on giving value and good content to your readers, things they can benefit from, will definitely lead your blog to success. I sometimes made the same mistake: Focussing to much on readers thinking “oh what cool dude this guy is” instead of “hey, that’s cool. I should try that for myself, sounds good!!”. Thanks for opening my eyes a little wider to this perspective 
Phil´s last blog ..Welcome to Excel-King
Hi Corrine,
Thank you fot his post, and all the others I have been following for some time now.
A very timely list of tips I’ll be referring to, as I’ll be preparing to conduct an interview soon. The tip on listening is one I must take note of more.
Thank you again, Lance
Lance Nelson´s last blog ..Bansko Bars And Restaurants: A Musical Theme
Great reminder of how to get along with people because it applies in most conversations not just in guest interviews.
Birney Summers´s last blog ..Save Money by Using Energy Just Where You Need it
Hi Corrine, listening to an interviewer who interrupts too much or puts their guest on the spot is really hard to listen to and a definite turn off to listening to future shows. For awhile I was finding that Oprah seemed to be interrupting her guests a lot – to talk about her own experiences (which is ok if she’s not interrupting).
I am a huge fan but I was getting ticked because many times it was when I really wanted to hear what they had to say and it was obvious by their passion that it was important to them to say it.
I guess that goes to show that everyone can use a reminder every now and again.
That said, I’ve never conducted an interview. I’m sure that it’s harder than it looks. Your list will be a great guide to go by if I ever do!
I have done a lot of podcasts and interviews from both sides of the fence…the biggest thing anyone can remember is #3.
Research…Research…Research
Find out what other people have asked in the past…what they are doing now…what they have done in the past…what they are going to do in the future…likes/dislikes.
You want as much information as possible before you formulate the first question. You don’t want to have the same interview as someone else…it needs to be unique, relevant and interesting.
Robb Sutton´s last blog ..Are You Using Twitter To Its Full Potential?
Corrine, I just re-read your post – and you taught me everything I learned. Thank you for being such a great mentor to me.. ..
Michelle Vandepas´s last blog ..How to Feng Shui Your Life Purpose
I’ve had this post bookmarked for a while and like to come to it at times when I want to refresh my interview skills. Hint: Most of these tips and principles work perfectly for consulting and discussions with clients and customers too
Antti Kokkonen´s last blog ..A Secret to Making Money Online
Hi Corinne,
Very timely post! As Robb has just mentioned, RESEARCH! I embarrassed myself by knowing just enough to realize that I wanted to interview a female fighter I had been introduced to (via email) through someone at my gym. I didn’t realize until I heard her name used in reference to another female fighter – that she is ranked 3rd or 4th in the world on the same list with Gina Carano and Chris Cyborg. Oops!
#5 Assume your audience knows nothing.
I’m including myself in that category too.
Thank you!
Cheryl from thatgirlisfunny´s last blog ..Why Cheryl, the Ninja Warrior Girl, Doesn’t Have a Boyfriend…
Great coaching! Good stuff to know for podcasting, and interviews, thansk for sharing those insights with us Corrine. The research part IS very important also so as not to look like an amateur.
The Niche Think Tank´s last blog ..Book Review: The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris
Great information; I can see where I can use this information when it comes to my blogging. I use to watch Oprah sometimes, but I got tired of her always bring herself into an interview. If something happened to one of her guest it happened to her to.
I don’t watch Larry King that much, but you’ve really nail what interviewing is all about.
Thanks Debbie
happymaker´s last blog ..How To Improve Your Happiness Within The Easy Way!
Corinne,
Great post!
I did my first podcast interview for my site with Cheryl last week and it went so well that it blew my mind.
I’m super excited to see that I did use a lot of the many tips you’ve added to this list!
Larry King is THE master at interviewing and that’s why he’s still doing it after so many years.
Krizia
Eat Smart Age Smart ´s last blog ..Domino Pasta in a bowl is a dangerous CRIME!
Must admit I am guilty of point 6. I tend to ask 3 questions in the same sentence. I must learn not to.
I’m sure I could be a better listener as well.
In fact, I’m sure I could improve on all the points.
Excellent post! Definitely one worth keeping and referring to.
Thanks, Corinne.
Andrew
Andrew @ Blogging Guide´s last blog ..Increase the Traffic to Your Blog Using These 5 Ways
Interesting article. This info is good to remember when dealing with people at any time, not just in interviews, so good advice for all of us! Most excellent!
Teagan´s last blog ..Just What Is Health Food?
Dear Phil -
One of the reasons not to talk about yourself is that the people reading or listening have all the information on you already. It is on your blog.
If you can get Larry King’s show in Germany, he is a great tutor. Even if you are not interested in his topic. The way he interviews sticks in your head.
Love his short questions. Very provocative.
Have not seen “Dragon’s Den” but I am going to look for it. I think I get BBC on cable. I like the idea of it.
Dear Rich -
One of the tips my coach taught me is if you want to ask a question about your own experience – put it in someone else’s mouth.
I should have included that.
Instead of saying, ” I had this problem —etc”
Say – “a friend asked me this question – or a client wanted to know”
“What would you have told them?”
The listener relates to that in a much different way and takes the focus off you.
Dear Phil -
I love it when my commentators talk to each other.
It makes it so much more interesting.
Especially, if they disagree.
Hijack anytime you want.
Dear Lance -
“Listening” also involves abandoning your next question on your “LIST” and following up what your interviewer just said.
It can lead you in a different direction of course.
That is why research is important. So you can go there and later come back to your original thought.
Dear Birney -
As you know, you are one of my “have to read” bloggers.
And I appreciate how you always support me.
As a single woman who in inept about energy – and there are lots of us out there – you are the voice of reason – in a voice we can understand.
Don’t ever go away. We need you.
And, yes, interviewing tips certainly apply to our everyday relationships. Like letting people have their say without interrupting.
Dear Jan -
Regarding not asking personal questions without permission.
This might amuse you.
I interviewed Stedman Graham (OMG he is so gorgeous!) Oprah’s boyfriend who happens to be a great writer and his book was a great contribution on achieving success aimed at young impoverished boys.
Before the interview, I asked him -
“Stedman, do you mind if I DON’T mention Oprah? There is so much to discuss about your book.”
THE MAN WAS IN TOTAL SHOCK.
Then, he started laughing and answered, “No, not at all!”
Dear Robb -
I have followed your interviews and I think you do a good job of finding that “different” slant.
I have one suggestion – if I may.
I would ask at the end -
“If you had to sum up everything we talked about today in one sentence, what would be the most important?”
It would be a great wrap.
(Sorry, I am a compulsive media coach!)
Dear Michelle -
You are, without exception, the best media coaching client I have had.
What a pleasure to see how you have developed.
The most important thing about you is that you took direction without ever being hurt or thought of it as criticism.
You ran with it.
It shows in every new interview you do at TalkingPurpose.com
Dear Antti -
This is so true -
“Most of these tips and principles work perfectly for consulting and discussions with clients and customers too
”
It is so important to listen. Most people find their own answers if you let them talk long enough.
And they end up telling you what they will buy if they are a customer.
Dear Cheryl – my favorite funny girl -
People hesitate to start from scratch in an interview because they think they are disrespecting their audience.
It only takes a few minutes to set the stage -
As in ““Who was Buddha?” She said everyone knew. They don’t”
Then you are off and running with a new audience you did not know you had.
Dear Niche Think Tank -
Doing research can be as easy as reading an “About Page, ” Googling your guest or if you have an author, go to Amazon and read all the comments if they have previous books.
Filling a half hour or God forbid, a hour, is a lot more time than you ever imagined until you do it.
You have to have something to fall back on if the interview starts to lag.
Dear Debbie -
I think you are a wonder. I read your bio and I really think you should be writing a book.
Anyone who has gone through what you have and is now a “Happymaker” is to be commended.
I don’t watch Oprah much either. But it is mostly because she has way too many commercials. I get impatient.
Dear Krizia -
Glad to hear your interview with Cheryl went so well. Some people just get it naturally.
But don’t rest on your success too fast.
Cheryl is an ideal guest because she is so forthcoming.
Keep practicing. At one point or another you will run into a real dud or someone who tries to hijack your interview with self promotion.
I’ll never forget having a famous healer on my show who arrived dead drunk.
We had to do an hour with him so we could edit down to a half hour show that made some sense. He would come in and out.
An extreme example, I know. You have to be prepared for anything!
Dear Andrew -
We have been supporting each other for a while – one of my new best friends. Thank you.
That point about asking a question once is hardest to learn. It was for me.
The trick is to get the question formulated as tightly as you can the first time.
I love when Larry King’s question is just -
“WHY?”
Dear Teagan -
Oh, this is so true -
“This info is good to remember when dealing with people at any time”
To listen more. So important.
That’s why we have “two ears and only one mouth.”
Hi Corinne,
My Hubby tells me that I need to write a book also. I really wouldn’t know were to start, but maybe someday I’ll find someone that could help me with it. There is alot more to my life, but if I told it all I would have a book. Oops.
Anyway I do like your #7 this is one of my downfalls. Hubby is trying real hard to help me with this. That is why I guess the blogging works good for me. I CAN’T INTERRUPT ANYONE.
With you reminding me of this I did make myself a big sign that says “No Interrupting someone anymore.”
Thanks I love it when someone bring something to my attention, so I can improve some more.
Debbie
happymaker´s last blog ..How To Improve Your Happiness Within The Easy Way!
Hi Debbie -
I am no psychologist, but you grew up getting little attention.
You are probably starved for someone to listen to you.
So, you interrupt.
I did a series of posts on how to write a book. Why don’t you take a look?
Start with this one -
http://www.personal-growth-with-corinne-edwards.com/you-can-write-a-book-part-one/
Your about page is already a start. Just keep expanding the events instead of just mentioning them..
Thanks for the reply Corinne.
You are right in the fact that with 7 children, there wasn’t much listening going on. Never thought about that before. thanks.
Once one can figure out were the problem came from it can be worked on and elimated.
However I do have a husband that is a pretty darn good listener, but ididn’t find him early in my life. Now I’m playing catup. lol
Debbie
p.s. I’ll check out your post on how to write a book. thanks again
happymaker´s last blog ..How To Improve Your Happiness Within The Easy Way!
Like others this side of the Atlantic I’ve only seen snippets of Larry King; however the advice is very welcome. being able to connect with others in an interview seems an essential skill for all bloggers. Useful information, thanks. David
David Rogers´s last blog ..Is Optimism the Foundation of Self Confidence?