by Prisha Mehta
If you aspire to be a journalist like I do, or are just interested in interviewing someone, there are a few important steps to take to ensure a good interview. An important part of interviewing is being able to connect with the interviewee, while drawing out informed answers from them. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
RESEARCH: The first and main point is to research well about the author and their works. Go through their previous interviews, if any, research where they lived, their childhood, people or works that influenced their writing. Try to look up their social media accounts, articles, interviews, anything that helps you get a better understanding of them.
DECIDE HOW TO RECORD THE INTERVIEW: If you’re taking notes for a blog article, notes on the interview may be all you need. However, if it’s for a podcast or similar audio format, consider recording it and taking photos for visual context. For a video interview, ensure that all recording devices are working perfectly for a smooth experience.
PRE-INTERVIEW PREP: You could arrange with the interviewee ahead of time to broadcast a live video, or share clips of the conversation later on social media. This can help engage a wider audience and make the interview more interactive.
PREPARE QUESTIONS: Start off with soft and easy questions, like “How was your day?” or “How long have you been writing?”. Questions like these help ease nerves, for both you and the person you are interviewing.
ABOUT THE BOOKS: Dive into the author’s work with questions that explore key themes, character development, and inspirations. This gives the readers a view into the author’s perspective and may help them understand more about the character or plot.
STAY FLEXIBLE AND LISTEN: While it’s important to have a plan, allow room for natural conversation flow. Sometimes the best insights come from unplanned follow-ups, so be ready to adapt.
WRAP UP WITH APPRECIATION: End the interview by thanking the interviewee for their time and insights. A warm closing leaves a positive impression and helps build a good rapport for future connections.
Now that you know how to conduct the interview, here are a few mistakes that could be avoided by preparing a few things beforehand.
ERRORS TO AVOID :
PLAN MEETING TIMES: While deciding on a date for the interview, make sure you’ve decided the correct time to conduct the interview, especially if time zones differ. Make sure to communicate with the interviewee and double check this at least a day before the interview.
DON’T ASK BORING QUESTIONS: Asking boring and monotonous questions will only be met with boring and monotonous answers, and will disengage your audience. Try different games, like 'First Thing That Comes to Mind' or 'Two Truths and a Lie' to create a light-hearted atmosphere whilst still staying on topic about their author and their works. This also gives you a chance to ask probing follow-up questions such as ”Has there ever been a story you wanted to write but couldn’t because it was too raw, too real, or too impossible to capture?” or “What does success as an author mean to you? Has this definition changed over time?” If the questions seem too difficult to answer on the spot, you should send them to the author in advance just to give them some time to prepare.
FOLLOW UP: Follow up both prior to the interview and after. It is better to send a follow up email/message one or couple days prior to the date just to remind them of their upcoming interview. After the interview, send them a thank you for their time and that you enjoyed interviewing them. It’s also just a polite and nice thing to do.
And that’s how to conduct your first interview to the best of your ability! Remember to stay calm, be attentive, and let the momentum flow naturally. With these tips, you'll be able to create an engaging and meaningful interview experience.
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