Every journalist winds up doing interviews at some point in
her career; sometimes the interview is just enough for a quote in an article
and other times the interview becomes the whole piece. Interviews can be
handled in person, on the phone or via e-mail. There are some tricks that can
help make the interview go easier.
If you have the chance to find your own subject to interview,
look for experts in the subject of your article (for example, if the subject is
about health, look for a health provider). If you are hoping to include attributable
quotes, try to find more than one source in case someone “flakes out” on you;
always ask for the name and title the subject wants the quote attributed to
(check spelling!). Sometimes the editor will assign you a subject to interview,
hopefully he will also hand you contact info…
Not everyone is thrilled with being quotes and there are
times you might find resistance. Don’t get discouraged, try, try again.
Encourage the interviewee by telling her how important her input is and how much
difference the information can make for your readers. Let the interview subject
know what the focus of the article is, where it will be published and, if
known, approximately when it will go live. It’s also important to let the
interviewee know beforehand who the audience will be (laymen audience or a
professional panel). Even if you have weeks until your real deadline, always
work with your subject as if you have only a few days to turn the article in —
honestly most times your article will need to go through an editor before going
to print so you shouldn’t wait until the last minute.
If I am conducting an in-person or via telephone interview I
like to email the subject a few typical questions I plan to ask; this help the
subject prepare and feel more at ease. Many reporters like to record the
interview, always ask first, some people don’t want every word to be recorded
or it makes them feel stilted. Verify anticipated quotes… “you said so and so,
would that be okay for me to use as a quote?” Anytime your subject boasts (such
as “We’re the number one dealer in the state”), don’t include the boast unless
it is a direct quote. You can use award titles and state the awarding agency.
When I send questions for an email interview I try to keep it
short and sweet, ten or twelve questions will usually give you enough for 500
to 600 words. Ask open ended questions, don’t ask for yes or no answers. In your
cover letter, let the subject know that “these questions” are more discussion
starters if case she feels there is more to say than just what you asked. I
always end my list of questions with “Is there anything more you feel the
readers should know about (subject)?” Ask for a response within three business
days, there will be some who will comply and others you will need to chase
down.
Check with your editor (beforehand) and find out if it is
okay for the subject to review your article before you submit it; some subjects
feel easier knowing they can verify what you are writing. Always let the
subject know that the editor has the final word, but that you will include any
corrections for the editor to see. And put a 24-hour limit on how long the
review should take.
If this is the first time you are doing an interview for a
publication, familiarize yourself with the standard format and the general kind
of language used for the readers. If possible compare your input with the final
printed product so the next time you get a chance to submit to the same
publication, you will cater your writing for that publication — this is the
easiest way to get subsequent assignments.
Always keep a smile on your face (trust me, you CAN hear a
smile over the phone or in an email), be humble to your subject, and don’t
respond to perceived rudeness. Also if possible, research who your subject is
before you ask any questions so you can focus on the subject’s expertise.
Writing Exercise: Make
up a list of questions to use when interviewing another writer. Write two to
three times the amount of questions you would need so that you can vary the
questions you would actually use for each interview.
Writing Prompt: Make a
list of ten questions you would want to be asked if you were being interviewed.
Challenge Assignment: Find
a writer to interview and post the interview on your blog.
