Comments on: Ten Killer Interviewing Tips

By: Roger

Roger — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:17:42 +0000

There are a couple points mentioned here with which I disagree. First of all, never give the interviewee editorial control over your copy. Tip 6 says just that. It’s fine to verify the facts, but what happens when you give an interviewee the article is that they start to change their phrases to make themselves sound better and the honesty of your article disappears.
Tape recorders can be a liability as well as an asset. People immediately tense when they see a tape recorder that is duly recording every syllable they utter. It becomes worse if the interviewer holds the microphone a couple inches away from the interviewee’s mouth. If you must use a tape recorder, you should set it to one side and not in between you and the interviewee. You should set down the microphone. You should also keep taking notes as though there was no tape recorder because there can be technical glitches–batteries failing, background noise (including recording the noise of the recorder itself). Internal microphones are the absolute worst.
I’m also not certain that I would interview the boss after I have interviewed the person. It’s going to create immediate anxiety because the employee is going to wonder what is being said about him to his superior.

By: Interviewing People -- Ten Tips To Make Your Interviews Better | PoeWar

Interviewing People -- Ten Tips To Make Your Interviews Better | PoeWar — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:09:10 +0000

[...] Ten Killer Interviewing Tips at Freelance Folder [...]

By: Daryle of Art Palaver

Daryle of Art Palaver — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:44:12 +0000

Thanks for this post. I have been interviewing people for a couple of years now and it is always difficult to find writing about interviews. Your advice is spot on. When I started doing #6 my interviews really improved. As well as my reputation in the community as a writer. Because I let people read what I wrote about them before publishing they trust me more. A trust makes for a good conversation.

By: Tei

Tei — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:10:27 +0000

Great post, very good practical advice. I’m going to link to it in my blog – apparently something’s going around, myself and two others have been blogging on this topic. Mine’s a few things for people who hate conducting interviews, the link’s above there. Words on the Page is doing a great series on this topic.

By: Stefanie

Stefanie — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:02:12 +0000

Great list. The only thing I can possibly think to add is that I occasionally send over a brief note with a couple of hints on what I’ll be asking. I like to make sure the interviewee knows what’s coming, but not so well that the answers are totally stiff and prepared.

By: Keith Johnson, Author "Ten Killer Interviewing Tips"

Keith Johnson, Author "Ten Killer Interviewing Tips" — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:40:10 +0000

Hi Adam: Well, most people I have interviewed don’t like too much visibility and the feeling that what they say is “the final word” so videotaping can actually make the interview less effective. Nobody wants to be the final authority on anything…such is the challenge of Technical Writing and “finding the truth”. Videos are best only for marketing, sales, and promotional ends. For me, an audio-recording is sufficient to ensure accuracy in my write-ups. Cheers, Keith

By: Adam Donkus

Adam Donkus — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:29:42 +0000

How about video taping the interview if it is possible? Good advice about preparing the questions ahead of time.