10 Tips for Hosting a Great Video Interview

Video interviews are a powerful tool for sharing knowledge, connecting with experts, and creating engaging content for your audience. However, hosting a successful video interview requires more than just hitting record. Whether you’re interviewing an industry expert, a client, or a colleague, here are 10 proven tips to ensure your video interviews are professional, engaging, and effective.

10 Tips for Hosting a Great Video Interview

1. Do Your Research

Before the interview, take time to research your guest. Understand their background, work, and recent projects. This will help you craft insightful questions and lead a more meaningful conversation.

Pro tip: Watch previous interviews they’ve done to see what topics they frequently discuss and think about how you can approach them from a fresh angle.

2. Prepare Your Questions in Advance

While it’s important to keep the conversation natural, having a list of questions prepared ensures that you cover all important topics. Organize your questions logically to maintain a smooth flow during the interview.

Pro tip: Include a mix of open-ended and specific questions to encourage detailed responses.

3. Create a Comfortable Environment

Help your guest feel at ease by spending a few minutes chatting before the interview starts. This helps build rapport and makes the interview feel more like a conversation rather than a formal Q&A.

Pro tip: Brief your guest on the format and let them know they can take their time with responses.

4. Use High-Quality Equipment

Ensure your video and audio quality are top-notch. Invest in a good webcam, microphone, and lighting setup. This not only makes your interview look professional but also helps keep your audience engaged.

Pro tip: Test your equipment before the interview to avoid technical issues during the recording.

5. Keep the Conversation Flowing

A great interview feels like a natural conversation. Listen actively to your guest’s responses and ask follow-up questions based on their answers. This will make the discussion more engaging and less scripted.

Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to go off-script if an interesting topic emerges during the interview.

6. Mind Your Body Language

Your body language can influence the tone of the interview. Maintain good posture, make eye contact with the camera, and nod or smile to show you’re engaged in the conversation.

Pro tip: Avoid distractions like checking your phone or looking away from the screen frequently.

7. Be a Good Listener

Focus on what your guest is saying rather than thinking about your next question. This shows respect for your guest’s insights and helps you ask more relevant follow-up questions.

Pro tip: Take brief notes during the interview if it helps you remember key points, but don’t let it distract you from the conversation.

8. Manage Time Effectively

Respect your guest’s time by sticking to the agreed-upon schedule. If the conversation is flowing, feel free to extend the interview slightly, but be mindful of the clock.

Pro tip: If the interview is running long, consider breaking it into two parts for easier viewing.

9. Edit Thoughtfully

After the interview, take the time to edit the video to ensure a polished final product. Trim unnecessary sections, add captions, and include any relevant visuals or graphics to enhance the content.

Pro tip: Use Zubtitle to easily add professional captions and customize the video to fit your brand’s style.

10. Promote the Interview

Once your video interview is ready, promote it across all your social media channels. Use snippets, quotes, or teasers to generate interest and encourage viewers to watch the full interview.

Pro tip: Tag your guest and any brands or topics discussed in the interview to expand its reach.

Posting video interviews to YouTube and social media? Remember that over 80% of social videos are watched on mute!

That’s why it’s so important to add captions to your video interviews. If you want to take your videos to the next level, try using Zubtitle to edit and enhance your videos, making them more accessible and visually appealing. Get started creating for free today!