Interview is a moderated round type; a versatile live experience that puts the conversation in the spotlight. It's available across all device types and participant onboarding is quicker and smoother than ever.
This article helps you understand how and why you should choose an Interview session.
How does Interview differ from other round types?
No app or extension required
Participants don’t have to install an app or an extension to be able to join an Interview session. They simply click and open the participant link on any browser, and the session is on!
Mic and camera capture are optional
Both participants and moderators can turn off/on mic and camera capture at any point during the session.
Screen sharing not required
There’s no screen sharing required, so the focus is on 1:1 conversation. However, for participants on desktop, screen sharing can be enabled.
Keep an eye on how you moderate
The Moderator can also record their face camera and see their own expressions throughout the session!
All in all, Interview gives participants quick and smooth onboarding and Moderators get an improved in-depth conversation experience right in the Lookback player, with some added flexibility and without losing the great collaborative elements of LiveShare.
Why and when to use the Interview feature
Choose Interview if:
you want to focus on a personal discussion with the Participant and screen-sharing is not necessary
participants cannot download and App or Chrome Extension
you want to give the participant the option when to turn on/off their mic or camera
Choose Interview for:
customer interviews about a product or service
market research of any kind
political and socio-economic studies
customer support calls
sales calls
hiring or performance reviews
coaching / mentoring services
The possibilities are limitless!
How to create an Interview Round
1) If you already have a Project created, you can skip to step 2. Otherwise, start by clicking the + New Project on your dashboard
2) Click the ➕ (plus) icon next to Rounds to create your new Round
3) Select Interview
Round Settings
🚀 At any point during the Round setup, you can click the Save button at the top right to save your progress. If you need to leave and come back later, you'll be able to pick up right where you left off.
4) Add a Round Name & Description
Enter a Round name (required) and Description (optional). The description is just for you and your team – your participants will not see it. It may seem unnecessary to add a description, adding a description to your rounds can be helpful when you later need to organize your work.
5) Set the Localisation language (Optional)
The Participate apps for mobile & our desktop experience support several native languages. You can learn more about that (link).
6) Set the Transcription language (required)
This is the language that your participant will be speaking. It will help ensure the most accurate transcriptions.
7) Click the Next button at the lower left to save your progress and proceed
Test Setup
8) Set the Welcome Message (optional) for participants
This is shown to the participants before they start a session and allows you to explain the context of the session, add links to external consent forms, and add any explanations needed to help your participant through setup & instructions
9) Add a Final Message (optional) for participants
This message is shown to Participants after they have completed the final task of the session.
It allows you to thank the participant for his/her time and/or add links to an external (post-session) survey.
🚀 Format the text in your Welcome/Final message, using Markdown!
10) Click the Next button at the lower left to save your progress and proceed
Moderator Tools
11) Create a Discussion Guide (optional)
You can create a Discussion Guide (link) to help guide your moderators through their session. This step is optional.
12) Click the Next button at the lower left to save your progress and proceed
Invite Participants
13) Click Copy link to copy the Participant Link. This will be use for participants to start the session. You'll send the same link to all participants in the same round.
🚀 If you don't want to copy the Participant Link at this time, you can always get it later from the Round page in the dashboard
14) Click the Next button at the lower left to save your progress and proceed
Observer Lobby
15) Select the option you want for the Observer Lobby
Organisation members only: they will need to have a user account associated with your Lookback organisation. This option is recommended if all of your observers are colleagues/employees at the same company. Please note: as our Freelance plans only have 1 user account, this option will be disabled for those plans.
Anyone with the link can enter: they do not need to have a Lookback user account to access the Lobby. This option is recommended if you are inviting external stakeholders to your sessions and don't want to add them to your Lookback organisation.
16) Click Copy link to copy the Observer Lobby Link. This will be sent to your observers so they can access any live sessions in the round as well as any previously recorded sessions that have finished.
🚀 If you don't want to copy the Observer Lobby Link at this time, you can always get it later from the Round page in the dashboard
17) (Optional) If you'd like to test out your setup before going live with participants, click on the Preview Session link at the top right & copy the link. To learn more about how Preview Sessions work, please see this help article (link).
18) Click the Done button in the lower left corner to save your settings
That's it! You'll now be taken back to the Round page of the project where you can edit the round and find the Participant & Observer Lobby links.
Behind the glass observers, note taking, chats, Findings, transcriptions and more
All the other features you love and are used to from Lookback's other moderated round type LiveShare remain unchanged:
Invite team-members to watch sessions anonymously, take notes, chat and create Findings
Share your screen (as moderator) with the participant
Have the session transcribed, once it’s been completed
Replay the session for post-session analysis and synthesis
Download videos, notes, chats and transcriptions