What Is an Interview Style Webinar and How to Nail It

Webinars have become a powerhouse for businesses, educators, and content creators looking to engage their audiences in an interactive and meaningful way. Among the various formats, the interview-style webinar stands out as a dynamic option designed to captivate viewers while providing valuable insights.

But what exactly is an interview-style webinar? How does it work, and why is it such a popular choice? Whether you’re new to or looking to enhance your next virtual event, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about this unique format and how to execute it flawlessly.

What Is an Interview Style Webinar?

An interview-style webinar is a virtual event where a host interviews one or more subject matter experts, thought leaders, or influencers in a live or pre-recorded setting. Instead of relying on a single presenter, this format leverages the dynamic, conversational nature of interviews to engage the audience, provide varying perspectives, and create an authentic learning experience.

Unlike traditional webinars that follow a structured PowerPoint presentation or lecture format, interview-style webinars focus on dialogue. This format allows the host to ask pertinent questions, guiding the conversation based on the audience’s needs and interests.

Key Features of an Interview Style Webinar:

• Interactive Format: Engaging conversations between a host and guest(s) keep the audience hooked.
• Expert Insights: Provides valuable, real-world knowledge directly from industry professionals.
• Audience Participation: Includes live Q&A sessions, polls, or chat interactions to enhance engagement.
• Authenticity: The conversational tone feels natural and relatable compared to scripted presentations.

Why Choose an Interview Style Webinar?

Interview-style webinars are gaining traction across industries because they strike a balance between education, entertainment, and authenticity. Here are some reasons why this format shines:

1. Builds Credibility and Trust

Inviting well-known experts or industry leaders as guests elevates the credibility of your content. Featuring their opinions, expertise, and advice reassures attendees that they’re gaining high-value insights.

2. Fosters Engagement

The natural flow of a conversation often feels more engaging than a one-sided presentation. Plus, the opportunity for audience participation promotes a sense of involvement and connection.

3. Versatile Topics

This format can suit a wide range of industries and purposes, such as thought leadership, product deep dives, professional development, or addressing trending topics.

4. Valuable Content Repurposing

An interview-style webinar can double as evergreen content. You can repurpose the recording into blog posts, social media snippets, and podcast episodes, maximizing its value beyond the live event.

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How to Run a Successful Interview Style Webinar

Like any live event, an interview-style webinar requires preparation and smart execution to make a lasting impact. Follow these 6 steps to ace it:

Step 1. Define Your Goals and Audience

Before anything else, determine why you’re hosting the webinar and who it’s for. Are you launching a new product, educating your audience, or building brand awareness? Knowing your purpose ensures that your content is tailored to your audience and achieves the desired result.

Think specifically about:

• What information your target audience seeks.
• Pain points or challenges they face.
• The knowledge or value they’ll gain after attending.

Step 2. Choose the Right Guest(s)

The success of your interview-style webinar often hinges on your choice of guest speakers. Look for experts who:

• Are experienced in your chosen topic.
• Bring unique insights or perspectives to the conversation.
• Have an engaging, personable presence that connects with the audience.

Pro Tip: If your guest has a strong online presence, their involvement can also boost webinar attendance through their own audience or following.

Step 3. Craft Thought-Provoking Questions

Prepare an outline of questions that guide the conversation while remaining natural and conversational. Start with broader, open-ended questions to warm up, then transition into more specific or technical points.

Examples include:

• “What inspired you to pursue this career path?”
• “What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered, and how did you overcome them?”
• “What is one emerging trend in the industry that excites you most?”

Remember to align your questions with your audience’s needs, ensuring that the insights provided directly address their interests.

Step 4. Promote Your Webinar Effectively

To maximize attendance, you’ll need an effective marketing strategy. Use email campaigns, social media posts, and partnerships to draw in your target audience.

Don’t forget:

• Create a compelling landing page that highlights the guest, topic, and value of attending.
• Incorporate countdown timers or exclusive offers to create urgency.
• Use teasers like short video snippets of the guest to draw interest.

Step 5. Engage Your Audience During the Webinar

A significant advantage of an interview-style webinar is its interactive nature. Be sure to invite your audience to join the conversation using tools like:

• Live Q&A Sessions: Allow attendees to ask questions directly.
• Polls and Surveys: Gather feedback or spark engagement.
• Chat Features: Enable real-time comments to create a community atmosphere.

The host plays a crucial role in keeping energy levels high and moderating audience interactions seamlessly.

Step 6. Follow Up with Your Attendees

After your webinar, the relationship with your audience doesn’t end. Send follow-up communications to nurture leads or deepen connections.

Ensure your post-webinar strategy includes:

• A Thank-You Email with a link to the recording for those who attended or missed out.
• A Quick Survey to collect feedback and improve future webinars.
• Bonus Content like downloadable guides, exclusive resources, or a discount code.

Examples of Great Interview Style Webinar Topics

Need inspiration for your next webinar? Here are some examples of topics that work especially well for this format:

• Industry Trends: “How AI is Changing the Marketing Game with [Expert Guest’s Name]”
• Product Education: “Tips for Making the Most of [Your Product Name] with Our Lead Designer”
• Leadership Insights: “Building Resilient Teams with [Guest Name], Author of [Book Name]”
• Personal Development: “Mastering Work-Life Balance with [Expert Guest’s Name]”

Elevate Your Events with the Interview Format

An interview-style webinar is more than just an online event. It’s a conversation, a learning experience, and a chance to create valuable content that leaves a lasting impression. By focusing on authenticity, expert insights, and audience interaction, you can create that informs, engages, and converts.