Avoiding Pregnant Pauses: Tips for a Smooth Segue

Following the first of my series of guest posts on Alice Seba’s Internet Marketing Sweetie blog about online audio, I received some interesting questions from Peggy who wanted information fast before she conducted her first audio interview. One of the questions she asked is not answered in the blog series, and follows on from my series of posts about conducting good interviews.

Peggy asked:

I did a practice interview and you’re right, my voice isn’t so bad upon hearing it. What I did notice was that my transition from interviewee’s answer to my next question wasn’t very smooth.

Are there standard phrases you use at the end of the interviewee’s answer, and then another when you want to ask a new question? I’m looking for smooth segues.

This is a really hard question to answer, as I tend to respond based on the answer that has been given, and something I would say may not sound the same coming from another person’s mouth.

I even asked my friend this question as he is a journalist, but as someone who has also been interviewing for many years his response was there should be no need for a stock response as each conversation should be different.

But I do understand the need for some help with this. When you are conducting interviews for the first time everything seems so significant, and saying just a few words can be daunting. To even call it a “conversation” is alarming to many, as this implies a relaxed affair!

My advice would be to have a few stock responses for when an obvious response doesn’t spring to mind. Words and phrases like “absolutely” or “that’s true” or “that’s really interesting” can be useful, as can a simple murmur of agreement (“Uh-hmmmm” – not sure how you spell a murmur).

As long as it is something you would say naturally and it is done sincerely, it will ring true.

A good exercise is to pay attention to what you say when you are talking to a friend or colleague. How do you respond to them? These responses are so natural you never even realize you are saying them. Eventually, with practice, your interviews should become just the same.

As for how to segue to the next question… It’s vital that you pay attention to what has been said by the interviewee. That way you may find a new question arises, or you want further clarification on something, that is not in your original list of questions.

In these cases, phrases like:

• in that case, what would…
• can you expand on that..
• so, let me get this clear…
• for those who don’t know what <blank> is can you explain further?

If the question doesn’t lead to a new one, then you can segue with comments like:

• that leads us beautifully to my next question…[ask your next question – if this is true]
• you’re giving us loads of great information today. Thank you. What do you think….[ask next question]

Or simply, ask the next question. No one will think any less of you for getting on with the business at hand, as long as you aren’t rude.

Finally, at the end of an interview, always ask “before we finish, is there anything else you would like to add that we haven’t already covered?” And when they have finished speaking, thank them for their time and the wonderful contribution they have made. If they are plugging a book or website, mention it again or give them the opportunity to mention it.

I read somewhere that when interviewing you should be open to “infinite possibilities”. This can be really scary at first but it should become a great adventure. Who knows where the next interview will lead or what things the interviewee will reveal that have not been said before? Imagine your reaction if you had been Oprah interviewing Tom Cruise when he went jumping over the furniture, or Martin Bashir when Princess Diana admitted to there being 3 people in her marriage, her own affair and her eating disorders.

Well, maybe your interviews will never be that dramatic, but one unexpected answer from an interviewee could have your listeners raving about your interview and looking forward to future interviews.

The most important thing is to try to relax, sound genuine, and be yourself.