Best Customer Interview Tips and Techniques from a User Interview Expert

Conducting effective user interviews is both an art and a science. In this article, I share some additional customer interview tips, techniques and resources that I’ve discovered from doing many, many interviews.

1. Plan for Cancellations & No-Shows

Despite your best efforts, inevitably, you will have some interview cancellations or no-shows. In fact, the Nielsen Norman Group estimates a no-show rate of about 10.6%. To prepare for these gaps, schedule more than your bare minimum for each user group. In my last article, I suggested a minimum of 3-5 interviews per user group. Try to schedule at least 4-7. Best case scenario, everyone shows and you have more than enough information to apply to your marketing strategy. Worst case scenario, several interviews cancel, but you still meet the minimum needed to gather usable data.

2. Offer an Incentive

You understand how important customer interviews are for ensuring the success of your company, but do your participants? Consider providing an incentive to show your customers exactly how integral they are to helping you achieve your business objectives. This doesn’t mean a promotional gift, which may be viewed as self-serving, but something that acknowledges your appreciation for their time and invaluable input. For 30 minute interviews, I suggest something between $50-100. Common incentives include:

• Gift Cards or Vouchers
• Non-Monetary Gifts
• Charitable Donations
• Cash, Check, or PayPal

3. Provide Food and Beverages

Mentioning that you offer complimentary food and drink can be helpful when encouraging people to attend and participate. At the very least, offer a choice of water, coffee or tea and a light snack. Making these simple items available, which trigger pleasure sensors in the brain, makes conversations easier and much more enjoyable. Since you’ll both be talking quite a bit, take a glass of water or cup of coffee for yourself, as well.

4. Stay Unbiased During Customer Interviews

This is a big one! Bias can creep into your interviews, despite your best intentions. You want to keep your interview results as objective as possible in order to gather usable information. Consider hiring a third party agency to conduct interviews on your behalf. This is the best way to encourage open and honest information from customers who may not feel comfortable sharing with someone from your company. If you decide to do interviews in-house, make sure to conduct your customer interviews in an unbiased environment. Even the presence of company branding can serve as a reminder and unconsciously sway someone’s responses in favor of your company.

5. Use Simple Language in Your Interview Questions

Do not overcomplicate your questions with industry jargon or you’ll lose your interviewee’s attention and interest. Using industry specific terminology during an interview might confuse and ostracize those who aren’t familiar with those terms. Use simple language as though you are having conversation with a friend.

6. Don’t Ask Leading Questions

Merriam-Webster defines a leading question as, “a question asked in a way that is intended to produce a desired answer.” Using questions such as “Don’t you think this company should get a new logo?” prompts the interviewee to agree or view the logo negatively when, in fact, the opposite may be true. Instead, ask “What is your impression of the logo?” and let them describe their thoughts. Don’t push for answers, avoid personal opinions, and do not attempt to confirm any of your own assumptions. You cannot expect relevant/usable information from someone who is being led or pushed in a certain direction.

7. Don’t Jump to Any Conclusions

Don’t try solving anything right away. You may already have an idea of what you’d like your marketing strategy to look like. Unconsciously, you will be looking for interviewees to validate your ideas which is likely to come across in your body language, if not in your questions. Bad idea. Once again, remaining unbiased is crucial if you want to get true and factual information from your customer interviews.

8. Don’t Let Note-Taking Distract from the Interview

Even if you’re recording your interview, you will want to take additional notes. Especially when conducting in-person interviews, don’t type your notes but keep a notepad on hand. Typing is impersonal, noisy and distracting and, therefore, it may alienate your customer. Plus, by staring at a computer, you are missing the opportunity to gauge their reactions. Better to hand write and then transcribe. Even over the phone, try not to let your note taking distract from the conversation. As much as possible, rely on shorthand as long as you feel you can accurately capture the answers.

9. Pay Attention to Body Language and Tone of Voice

As mentioned in my article about conducting website user interviews, recording user interviews, paying close attention and recording notes on body language and emotions or reactions can gain you valuable insight into your customers – especially things that delight or frustrate them.

10. Use Silence to Encourage Reluctant Talkers

If someone is not talking, a good tip I’ve relied on is to let the silence linger, even if that means making things a little awkward. If they are giving a lot of one-word answers or having difficulty finding the right words, be patient. There is no better way to get someone to talk than with some dead air or, in the case of a dead end, the simple use of the word "Why".

11. Use Reflection Method

Use reflection tactics to guarantee you’ve understood all of your interviewee’s answers. Reflection is the process of paraphrasing and repeating their statements back to them. These statements are usually preceded by “So in other words…” or “I hear you saying….” Often, this will help eliminate misinterpretations and, as a bonus, may result in additional information as they correct any inadequacies or attempt to explain themselves in a different way.

12. Say Thank You and Send a Follow-Up Thank You Note

An incentive should not be your only way of saying thank you. End every interview with a hearty, honest “Thank You”! Then, send a personal email or note to each participant to thank them for their participation and valuable answers. Thank you notes go a long way in making a participant feel appreciated and motivated to return. For example:

Dear [Participant name],
I would like to extend my sincerest thanks for participating in [Company name]’s marketing research. Your feedback will help us improve our marketing strategy immensely, and, eventually, provide you with a more a more pleasant, streamlined user/customer experience.
Thank you again for your time and valuable help in our study.
Sincerely,
[Interviewer name]