“ Interviews with thought leaders in your niche serve a number of purposes: they’re enjoyable; they teach you new lessons; and they reach an audience beyond your existing one.” —Mr Murphy
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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The Standardistas’ Interviews
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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For five years, we interviewed some of the world’s best designers working on the web in a series titled ‘A Dozen Questions…’.
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www.j.mp/mrvandamme
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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Make a list of ‘thought leaders’.
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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Dictionary
!
Search for a word… ”
thought leader /θc:t/. /ˈli:de/
noun
informed opinion leaders in their respective field of expertise trusted sources who move and inspire people Similar:
influencer
maven
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Dictionary
!
Search for a word… ”
thought leader
/ˈli:de/ informed/θc:t/. opinion leaders in their respective field of expertise noun
trusted sources who move and inspire people
Similar:
influencer
maven
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Orbits
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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Tina Roth Eisenberg
Elliot Jay Stocks
The Standardistas Jessica Hische Josh Brewer
For The Standardistas, the sun was designers working on the web and we interviewed thought leaders orbiting that.
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Interviews with prominent industry figures – thought leaders – brings their audience into your brand’s orbit.
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Elliot Jay Stocks
Josh Brewer
44,000 Followers
32,000 Followers
The Standardistas 6,000 Followers
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Elliot Jay Stocks
Josh Brewer
44,000 Followers
32,000 Followers
The Standardistas 6,000 Followers
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Elliot Jay Stocks
Josh Brewer
44,000 Followers
32,000 Followers
The Standardistas 6,000 Followers
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÷10
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Tina Roth Eisenberg
Jessica Hische
486,000 Followers
113,000 Followers
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Tina Roth Eisenberg
Jessica Hische
486,000 Followers
113,000 Followers
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Tina Roth Eisenberg
Jessica Hische
486,000 Followers
113,000 Followers
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Everyone 675,000 Followers
The Standardistas 6,000 Followers
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“ We set our sights high. By interviewing internationally respected designers like Josh Brewer, Jessica Hische and Tina Roth Eisenberg (swissmiss), we were able to amplify The Standardistas’ brand, positioning it on a global stage.” —Mr Murphy
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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Structuring Your Interviews
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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A Dozen Questions for… Mr Brewer, Ms Roth Eisenberg, Ms Hische, Mr Stocks, Mr Walton and others.
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Each interview was standardised. • Standardisation: • saves time; • ensures consistency; and • looks professional.
Mr Murphy · @fehler
Opening questions… • Where did you learn your craft? • Who inspires you? • What are your influences?
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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Closing questions… • What’s your favourite typeface? • What’s your favourite plain text editor? • What’s your favourite tea?
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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Mr Murphy · @fehler
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Consistency: A+ Content: B+
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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“ Whilst it’s important to keep standards high, consistent scheduling and posting trumps everything. Build a content calendar and post, post, post.” —Mr Murphy
Mr Murphy · @fehler
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Curation • Work your way up the celebrity scale. • Start in the middle. • 2 × Middles = 1 × High
Mr Murphy · @fehler