Building empathy into testimonials starts during the interview. Try the following five techniques when interviewing users for testimonials.
- Properly introduce yourself. Your first interaction with a person sets the tone for the interview. In order to build rapport, you must shake hands, explain who you are, and engage in small talk.
- Be aware of your body language. There are a combination of verbal and nonverbal cues that demonstrate genuine interest. Sit up straight, maintain clear eye contact, nod in acknowledgement, and repeat part of their answers to show that you are actively listening.
- Get the interviewee to tell you stories. Asking questions like “Tell me about the last time you ____” puts the interviewee in the frame of mind to reveal recent and true stories that show how they really feel about a subject.
Zuley Clarke
