Over the past few weeks I have been asked a number of times – “what can I do to get more traffic to my blog”? There is no simple answer, but one of the best ways I’ve discovered for generating traffic is to conduct an interview with an expert in your subject area.
In fact, I have garnered record comments and views on posts featuring an expert interview or book review. Here’s an example of a recent interview with an expert in his field. So, where do we start?
Get acquainted with leaders in your field. Make an “A-List” of people you’d like to work with someday. Then contact them. Yes, it’s actually that simple. Just ask. Most will say yes…no kidding.
You may have to schedule the interview for a few weeks or months out, but most will appreciate and welcome the opportunity to connect with your growing tribe.
When you send your initial request for the interview, be sure to include:
You’ll need to actually prepare for the interview – ahead of time – really. The 20- to 30-minutes in the interview will fly by. So you’ll have to prepare to effectively use every moment. Don’t waste this incredible opportunity. By the way, do not schedule more than 30 minutes for the interview – if you can’t interview someone in 30 minutes, you need to plan better or get more practice. Find all the background information you can – review their professional bio, their blog, their latest book, follow them on Twitter.
Then, from your research, develop a list of interview questions. Here are a few ideas:
Keep in mind that in a 30-minute interview you won’t have time for all of these questions I’ve listed and their responses. So, choose or develop interview questions that are most relevant for you. Then practice the interview a few times.
In the interview, be yourself. There’s no need to try to get all intellectual or anxious about what the expert will think of your questions. Just be authentic – they’ll appreciate itmore than you know.
First, explain how you plan to use the time. For example, “I’d like to give you a little background about how I connected with you. Then ask you a few questions and give you an opportunity to ask me questions. Is that okay with you?”
If you ignore everything else, don’t ignore this I was not prepared for this in the first interview I conducted. Most of the time near the end of interview the expert will ask you: “How can I help you”? Be prepared to answer. This is the equivalent of closing the sale. If you’re not going to close the deal, stay home.
Write out your clear, concise answer to this question. A few examples:
If you promised to feature the interview on your blog – let the expert know when it will be published. If you are giving away their book – ship the books. If they are guest posting for you – publish the post.
Then promote it all along the way – on Twitter, on Facebook. You might event get a re-tweet from the expert that will spike your traffic.
This is nearly as important as the ask. Jeff Goins recommends that you keep showing up in their life. Don’t be annoying – just occasionally and intentionally show up. Most will appreciate the encouragement – and if not, that’s okay too. You’ve served them.
Here’s the big one. Set a goal to get on as many expert lists as possible so that you’re the one being interviewed. Be patient – this will come with time, and a lot of good content will follow. So, get cracking.
Share your ideas in the comments section.
Michael Nichols is the author of Creating Your Business Vision and is the Executive Pastor at First Baptist Church in Midlothian, Texas.He has spent his career facilitating personal and organizational growth. He also writes, speaks, coaches, and consults.He is married and has one daughter and one son.
You can follow him at MichaelNichols.org
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