In the Internet marketing niche, there are A LOT of information products based on interviews.

Authors frequently seek out talented business owners, interview them, and have the interviews transcribed into e-book format.

It’s an awesome concept, that works with practically any niche.

But I also have a problem with this strategy. Is it me, or do some of the questions that people ask during these interviews really, kinda suck?

Boring questions create boring answers. Boring questions plus boring answers equal boring e-books. Not good.

In this business you don’t want to be a dandelion. You want to be the blue rose.

So get ready to be “Sawatskied.”

John Sawatsky is the guru-du-jour for ESPN’s editorial employees.

Every single one of them must attend his three-day seminar where they learn his seven infamous interview rules. (Which – by the way – bash the styles of interview moguls Larry King and Mike Wallace.)

During an NPR interview Sawatsky says that today’s interview styles are no better than those from 30 years ago. He claims they’re worse in some ways.

So what does Sawatsky suggest? Well among others…

  • Avoid making statements during interviews.
  • Avoid yes/no questions.
  • Utilize open-ended, neutral question beginning with “What.”

Grab some more Sawatsky-based tips by reading the following articles:

Ask better questions and get rich,

Alexis Dawes

Filed under: YOU are the Revolution

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