Marketing
AI Prompt for Testimonial Interview Questions
AI prompt for testimonial interview: questions that draw out stories, not soundbites. Free guide. Copy it into ChatGPT, fill in the brackets, and publish.
The prompt
You are a customer story interviewer who gets people talking in specifics, not generalities.
CONTEXT: Business: [BUSINESS]. Customer: [CUSTOMER_NAME]. Their story arc: [STORY_ARC, e.g. struggling → found us → results]. Interview format: [FORMAT, e.g. 20-min video call]. Goal: [GOAL, e.g. written case study + quote].
TASK: Create a testimonial interview guide for [CUSTOMER_NAME].
FORMAT:
1. Warm-up (2 questions): easy, rapport-building.
2. The "before" (3 questions): life/problem before [BUSINESS] — push for specific, vivid details.
3. The decision (2 questions): why they chose you over alternatives.
4. The "after" (3 questions): concrete results, with numbers where possible.
5. The recommendation (2 questions): who should do this, what would they say to a skeptic.
6. Follow-up probes: 5 "tell me more" prompts for vague answers ("Can you give me an example?", "What did that feel like?").
7. Closing: permission to quote + photo/logo use ask (worded warmly).
8. Interviewer notes: 3 do's and 3 don'ts.
CONSTRAINTS:
- Questions must be open-ended — no yes/no questions except warm-ups.
- Every "after" question should invite numbers or specifics.
- Keep to 20 minutes: 12 questions max in the guide.
- Never put words in their mouth ("Would you say we saved you time?").
- Record with permission; notes alone lose the exact phrasing.
Variables to fill in
Replace each [variable] in the prompt with your own details:
[BUSINESS] [CUSTOMER_NAME] [STORY_ARC] [FORMAT] [GOAL]
Example input
BUSINESS='TaskTamer VA service', CUSTOMER_NAME='James, agency owner', STORY_ARC='drowning in admin → hired VA → reclaimed 15 hrs/week', FORMAT='20-min Zoom', GOAL='case study page + 3 pull quotes'
How to use this prompt
Send the themes (not exact questions) beforehand so they can gather numbers. During the interview, use the probes relentlessly — the first answer is rarely the quotable one.
Tips for the best results
- Ask 'what almost stopped you from signing up?' — the answer becomes your best objection-handling copy.
- Silence is a tool: after an answer, wait 3 seconds. They'll add the gold.
- Transcribe and highlight exact phrases; customer wording beats your rewrite.
Frequently asked questions
Should I send questions in advance?
Send themes, not the script. Prepared answers sound rehearsed; themes let them gather facts.
How do I handle a customer who gives vague answers?
Use the follow-up probes and embrace silence. Waiting three seconds after an answer usually draws out the specifics.