Unearth expert goldIf you write content these days, chances are you’ve had to interview a subject matter expert (SME) or two (or 50). When I interviewed my first few, my nerves pushed me to rush through each one, and kept me from asking the right questions. Here are the 4 SME interview tips I wish I’d known sooner: 1. Don’t ask for information you can find somewhere else.
If you know X study found exercise protects against cancer, don’t ask your source if exercise protects against cancer. Instead: Ask what kinds of exercise they recommend for their patients to protect against cancer. 2. Ask for their opinion.
Don’t ask, “How can patients get better sleep?” Instead: Ask “In your professional experience, what are the best techniques your patients have used to get better sleep?” 3. Ask open-ended questions.
Early on, I asked an expert, “Do heat packs help alleviate muscle aches?” They responded, “Yes.” A quotable line if I ever heard one… Instead: Ask, “How do heat packs relieve muscle aches? What kind of heat would you recommend, and what precautions would you advise?” 4. Dig deeper
Don’t be afraid to ask follow up questions. If they stay vague, dig deeper. Let’s say you ask, “What kinds of nausea tips would you give your pregnant patients?” They may answer, “Ginger, small meals, and maybe Zofran.” Instead of trying to make that work, ask for clarification. For example, “Thank you! What ginger products would you recommend? When is Zofran appropriate and safe?” I’m still learning, of course, and hone this process pretty much every time. What tips do you use for interviews? Reply and let me know! 📩
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