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Eight Ways to Conduct Interviews That Resonate With Readers
By Jennifer Brown Banks
Pick up any consumer magazine or trade publication and it’s
highly likely you’ll hit upon an interview or two.
Interviews are popular reads because our natural curiosity
as human beings piques our interest in the private lives and
inner-workings of others. Whether it’s the success story
behind power players, or Oprah’s beauty secrets; inquiring
minds wanna’ know.
As writers, we are entrusted with the important task of telling
others’ stories, and to be the voice of the impoverished, the
afflicted, and even those blessed with the “it factor“.
In my professional career, I have had the privilege of both
being the interviewer and interviewee, and based on this
experience, here’s what I’ve discovered about conducting
interviews that connect with today’s reader.
Timely tips on the art of the interview:
1. Start out with a clear agenda. In other words, what’s your
purpose? (It shouldn’t be just to “parrot” information). Is
it to increase awareness of a cause or movement? Promote an
event? Educate? Entertain? Provide a noteworthy individual
with his deserved 15 minutes of fame? Your agenda will
establish your approach, direction and the nature of your
questions.
2. Resist rookie questions like “Do you have a dog?” Or
“What’s your favorite color?” It wastes valuable time, and
adds very little depth or value to your piece. Instead,
strive for things that delve into the person’s life
philosophy, business strategy, or “ah-ha” moments.
3. Do your homework. Before assembling questions, do a
little online sleuth work. Many times, you can find
interesting facts and tidbits by visiting the subject’s
blog, Facebook page, Linkedin profiles, and even quotes
from other articles. Consider interviewing someone who
knows or has worked with the interviewee for background
information, too.
4. Inject a little humor when appropriate. Humor is to
writing what spices are to cooking. Find a funny angle
from an anecdote shared. Or have him reveal his most
embarrassing moment, or a hidden talent. For example, I
was watching a program recently that documented the life
of Dr. Phil, and discovered that he enjoyed watching
cartoons, (even into adulthood). Who would have thought?
This definitely gave me a chuckle.
5. Decide the best way to capture the essence of the
interview, by knowing your strengths and weaknesses. If
you’re a poor listener, have a short attention span, or
trouble sometimes deciphering your handwriting, it may be
wise to conduct the interview via email questions for
accuracy purposes. If on the other hand, you enjoy using
imagery, then a face-to-face, where you can assess body
language, tone, and use your skills of observation might
prove more successful.
6. Put yourself in the reader's shoes. What would you
like to know about the person being featured? What makes
him interesting or different? Why should readers care?
7. Enhance your interview with quality images. There’s
great truth to the expression, “A picture is worth a
thousand words.”
8. Watch and incorporate some of the trademark techniques
of talented TV interviewers like Barbara Walters, Oprah
Winfrey, and Diane Sawyer. Oprah, you’ll find, is always
personal, witty and compassionate. Barbara is provocative,
sharp and unapologetic. While Diane is no-nonsense and
straight-forward.
Case in point… Oprah admitted once on her show, that as
a young girl she was inspired to become a reporter from
observing Barbara Walters decades before.
Follow these eight tips to make the most of your next
interview, and ultimately make more money in your
freelancing career.
BIO
Jennifer Brown Banks
Veteran freelance writer, Columnist, Pro Blogger
http://penandprosper.blogspot.com/
Managing Editor, Coffeehouse for Writers
http://Coffeehouseforwriters.com/
Columnist, Technorati.com
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