Thought Leadership
Interview TypeCapture unique perspectives that establish industry authority
What Is It?
A conversational exploration designed to surface unique insights, contrarian opinions, and forward-thinking perspectives from subject matter experts.
Unlike news or reporting, thought leadership content represents the expert's point of view, expertise, and vision for the future.
The AI interviewer acts as an intelligent journalist, probing for depth and challenging assumptions to extract truly valuable insights.
Why Use AI for This?
AI follows up intelligently based on answers, digging deeper into interesting points
Maintains conversational flow while ensuring key topics are covered
Extracts quotable insights and memorable soundbites automatically
Structures unstructured conversations into polished content
When to Use
Building executive or expert personal brands
Creating opinion pieces or editorial content
Establishing authority in a specific domain
Sharing predictions and future trends
Discussing industry challenges and solutions
Content Structure
Opening Hook
A compelling opening that frames the expert's unique perspective and why it matters now
Core Insight
The central thesis or contrarian viewpoint that challenges conventional wisdom
Supporting Examples
Real-world examples, data, or stories that illustrate the expert's perspective
Future Implications
What this means for the industry, readers, or stakeholders going forward
Key Takeaways
Actionable insights or thought-provoking conclusions that resonate beyond the article
Interview Approach
Ask open-ended, exploratory questions
Encourage the expert to share their unique perspective
Dig into the "why" behind their opinions
Explore contrarian or unconventional viewpoints
Focus on insights that challenge conventional thinking
Example Questions
What's the biggest misconception in your industry right now?
Where do you see this field heading in the next 5 years?
What advice would you give to someone entering this space today?
What's a controversial opinion you hold about [topic]?
What keeps you up at night about the future of [industry]?
If you could change one thing about how your industry operates, what would it be?
What trend are most people missing that you think will be huge?
Real-World Examples
VP of Engineering on AI Impact
15-minute interview transformed into a 2,000-word article on AI's impact on software development, generating 50K+ LinkedIn impressions
Sustainability Expert Challenges Green Business
20-minute interview became a 3-part LinkedIn series challenging common green business practices, sparking industry debate
Best Practices
Let the conversation flow naturally - don't over-structure
Follow up on interesting tangents
Push for specific examples to support opinions
Aim for 5-7 substantive questions to get depth
Focus on quality of insights over quantity
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Asking yes/no questions instead of open-ended exploratory questions
Following a rigid script rather than letting conversation flow naturally
Accepting surface-level answers without probing for depth
Focusing on facts and news rather than opinions and perspectives
Not challenging assumptions or asking for contrarian viewpoints