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Tips and Techniques for Interviews
by Kim Ripley

As a freelance writer I find myself interviewing subjects for articles several times each month. I have developed my own style for interviewing and have found a few helpful hints that make the process simpler, less stressful, and actually quite pleasant.

Most people readily agree to be interviewed. Everyone has a story to tell and some are positively thrilled to tell it. The key is to draw the information you need to write as detailed an article as you can. The art is in the way you ask.

Most importantly, call your prospective interviewee as far ahead of time as possible. Stress clearly that they are doing you a great favor by taking the time to meet with you and provide you with information. Be prompt and prepared for the interview.

Introduce yourself and of course make the obligatory small talk. But only make it for a few minutes! Their time is as valuable as yours, and the last impression you want to make is that of a time waster.

Ask the subject if he or she minds if you record the interview. This is the best way to ensure providing accurate quotes for your article. It also allows you to pick up on interesting tidbits of information you might otherwise have disregarded. A small micro-cassette recorder or digital recorder works best. And for telephone interviews purchase a phone adapter. This plugs into the recorder and the phone, allowing you to converse with the interviewee and record the conversation through the telephone. These adapters cost around $25 and are available at office supply stores or at Radio Shack.

Have a list of pertinent questions prepared in advance. Leave plenty of space between questions to jot any notes you may need to take. Always ask, “Is there anything else you’d like to mention on the subject?” This gives the interviewee free reign to speak. Some of the best details are often disclosed this way.

Listen. Listen. Listen some more. This is imperative to writing an article based on an interview. Don’t simply listen to the words. Listen for voice influx, tone, and hesitation. These details often speak volumes. Watch body language. This often helps create a picture in reader’s minds. Look at the following examples.

When questioned about the state of affairs within the White House, the President, noticeably uncomfortable, crossed, then uncrossed his legs before asking, “What affair? I didn’t have an affair!”

When asked to describe the state of affairs within the White House, the President asked, “What affairs?”

See how the detailing of body language enhances the description the writer is creating? And it makes perfect sense. Readers don’t just want to know what a person said. They want to know how they said it and what they were feeling when they said it. It is up to the writer to make the reader feel as if they were in the room when the interview was conducted.

Writers develop their own criteria for conducting interviews. The pieces all seem to fall together after the first initial interviews. Everyone finds their own tricks of the trade and sticks with them. However many of these basics remain the same. They are tried and true tips that never go out of style or show their age. And there must be good reasons for that.

Reprinted from “Write Now! What ARE You Waiting For?” by Kimberly Ripley.

Copyright 2003 Kim Ripley. All Rights Reserved.

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