Why Better Stories Start with Better Questions

Why Better Stories Start with Better Questions

Author: Convince & Convert April 26, 2024 Duration: 44:13
Social Pros Podcast
BusinessMarketing

In the world of podcasting, the most important element is the story you're trying to tell. You can have all the best equipment at hand, but it's the story that makes it. We're getting a little meta this week with a podcast episode about podcast episodes and storytelling with Elaine Appleton Grant, CEO of Podcast Allies and Host of the Sound Judgment podcast.

Full Episode Details

Now, we're no strangers to sharing great stories on this podcast. But this episode is a little different. We peek behind the curtain and look at what it takes to unravel these stories in a podcast. And it all begins with the host.

The host of Sound Judgment and CEO of Podcast Allies, Elaine Appleton Grant, gives us a masterclass on how to tell a great story by asking great questions and being curious above all. 

Elaine shares plenty of anecdotes from her career and the brilliant public speakers and podcasters she's met along the way, including the former host of this very podcast, Jay Baer. In each of these stories, Elaine breaks down the key lessons she's learned and teaches to others, including the importance of preparation, asking questions that really dig into the details, and how to be a good listener. 

There's so much to take away from this episode if you're interested in starting a podcast or want to improve your hosting skills. But equally, there's plenty of value if you're in the business of telling stories on social media. 

In This Episode:

  • 2:25 - Why it's so important to share and tell stories
  • 4:00 - What Elaine learned from Jay Baer's Standing Ovation podcast
  • 5:50 - Elaine gives a breakdown of what her podcast is about
  • 7:51 - Elaine's background in storytelling
  • 9:51 - How Elaine approaches getting into deeper stories on her podcast
  • 16:34 - How framing questions the right way helps you mine for stories
  • 22:54 - How to become a great listener
  • 25:25 - Why curiosity is the key skill
  • 26:29 - How looking for different perspectives can uncover multitudes of stories
  • 33:08 - How do you start becoming an expert storyteller
  • 37:11 - The final two questions 

Resources

Visit SocialPros.com for more insights from your favorite social media marketers.


For years, Social Pros Podcast has served as an essential meeting point for those who do the real work in digital marketing. Created by Convince & Convert, this isn't a theoretical discussion; it's a deep dive into the practical realities of managing social media within larger business ecosystems. The conversations here consistently explore how platforms intersect with brand strategy, content creation, public relations, and paid media, moving beyond hype to examine measurable impact. You'll hear directly from the people behind the profiles at major organizations like Google, Reddit, Uber, and Oracle, gaining insight into their successes and the challenges they navigate daily. The longevity of this podcast is a testament to its value, offering a accumulated wealth of knowledge from hundreds of candid interviews and expert commentaries. Each episode functions like a focused case study, breaking down the "how" and "why" behind decisions that drive genuine business results. If you're looking to understand the evolving role of social media beyond the latest trend, this series provides a grounded, insider perspective that has educated a generation of marketing professionals. Tune in to hear the actual pros discuss the work that rarely makes it into a polished tweet or case study.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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