From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published in 2021. Our interviews on Entrepreneurs On Fire are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URL’s in these archive episodes are still relevant.

Andrew Warner is the author of Stop Asking Questions, a book for interviewers and anyone who wants to learn through conversations. It’s based on over 2,000 interviews he did on Mixergy, his podcast.

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Guest Resource

Stop Asking Questions – Get Andrew’s book and learn how to lead high-impact interviews!

3 Value Bombs

1) The people who admire and want to meet you are there. As long as you can start a great conversation, you can build a great relationship with them, and learn from them.

2) A double-barreled question has two questions in one. If you ask two things at the same time, people will pick the easy one and only answer that and forget the hard one that you probably want to get answered.

3) If you ask things outright, it feels like it’s coming out of nowhere and it feels like you’re putting your interviewee against the wall and pushing them to say something they’re not comfortable saying. You need to give them an exit so they feel comfortable deciding how to respond.

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

Today’s Audio MASTERCLASS: Meet, Learn From and Interview Your Heroes.

[1:30] – Andrew shares something that he believes about becoming successful that most people disagree with.

The amount of value we place on books, online research, or YouTube – what we’re really missing is learning from other people. When you learn from other people who’ve done what you’re trying to do in the form of a one-on-one conversation, they can guide you to your specific needs.

[3:33] – Andrew shares a story of befriending an entrepreneur while learning from them.

This person he was talking to was so fired up, telling him about having apps for Blackberry.
Andrew, in that conversation, was being taught the way a first grader is being taught at school.
He was asking so many questions that it became tiresome, and the dynamic was changing.
In conversations and interviews, it’s good to switch off from questions to statements, even if you’re trying to list information. Rephrase your questions into sentences.
People don’t want the person who becomes the needy, I-don’t-know-anything person. They want the person who’s going to help them feel good.
Understand the things that are different, know how to get the real information, and work towards the tightness in the relationships by doing what works – not what you’re supposed to do.

[8:15] – It’s tough to go deep with somebody that you’ve just met. Is there an easy button for this?

The magic phrase is, “Is it appropriate to ask you about…” then insert whatever personal thing you’re trying to find out about.
If you ask things outright, it feels like it’s coming out of nowhere and it feels like you’re putting your interviewee against the wall and pushing them to say something they’re not comfortable saying. You need to give them an exit to feel comfortable deciding how to respond.
A double-barreled question is two questions in one. If you ask two things at the same time, people will pick the easy one and only answer that, and forget the hard one that you probably want to get answered.

[11:17] – Nobody is motivated all day, everyday. Consistency is the key to success. How do we keep producing the right content even when we’re not motivated?

Self-improvement is one way to produce and stay motivated.
External motivation or external support always gets you to be more productive than if you do it yourself.

[15:27] – A timeout to thank our sponsors!

HubSpot: When you combine the power of Marketing Hub and Content Hub, you can have your best quarter, every quarter. Visit Hubspot.com/marketers to learn more!
ThriveTime Show: Attend the world’s highest rated business growth workshop taught personally by Clay Clark & NOW featuring Rich Dad Poor Dad Author Robert Kiyosaki and Eric Trump at ThrivetimeShow.com/eofire!

[18:01] – What’s a one-word question that gets people to tell not just what they do, but why they do it?

It’s the word “because?”
It suddenly changes the train of thought, but it won’t sound like you’re interrupting them – you’re asking for more information.

[20:18] – People like to horde their most precious context, but we need them to share context. How do we get people to introduce us to their most helpful context in the business space?

Instead of doing a follow up, ask who else is going to benefit from the interview. Make it part of the process.

[23:39] – Andrew shares one of his favorite stories from his book, “Stop Asking Questions.”

When he was an unpaid intern, he reached out to the secretary of Ace Greenberg who’s very much willing to nurture interns.
He sat in the interview but didn’t know what to ask. To end the awkwardness, Ace stood up and ended the interview and left a piece of advise for Andrew.
That’s when he learned not to waste the opportunity

[26:06] – Andrew’s key takeaway and call to action for Fire Nation!

People are accessible right now. The people who admire and want to meet you are there. As long as you can start a great conversation, you can build a great relationship with them, and learn from them.
Stop Asking Questions – Get Andrew’s book and learn how to lead high-impact interviews!

[22:16] – Thank you to our Sponsors!

HubSpot: When you combine the power of Marketing Hub and Content Hub, you can have your best quarter, every quarter. Visit Hubspot.com/marketers to learn more!
ThriveTime Show: Attend the world’s highest rated business growth workshop taught personally by Clay Clark & NOW featuring Rich Dad Poor Dad Author Robert Kiyosaki and Eric Trump at ThrivetimeShow.com/eofire!

Killer Resources!

1) The Common Path to Uncommon Success: JLD’s 1st traditionally published book! Over 3000 interviews with the world’s most successful Entrepreneurs compiled into a 17-step roadmap to financial freedom and fulfillment!

2) Free Podcast Course: Learn from JLD how to create and launch your podcast!

3) Podcasters’ Paradise: The #1 podcasting community in the world!

Meet, Learn From and Interview Your Heroes with Andrew Warner: An EOFire Classic from 2021

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