The best interviews offer an insight into the person and the personality behind a “big name” -- a glimpse behind the scenes with new and interesting information, and a picture of the human being behind the headlines. No matter whether the individual concerned is a celebrity from the world of show-business or a captain of industry: they are heroes to some, and villains to others, and they arrive with the baggage of their “legend”.
It's important to arrive at an interview, well-researched, confident and conversant in the facts about your interviewee, and not over-awed by them. They are only human, and it is the human being in them that you want to find.
On the Day of the Interview
Get yourself organised and gather all the things that you will need:
- Two pens or pencils.
- Notepad with questions at front of it, easy to find.
- Put a marker – a post-it -- at a page in the notepad where you can take notes without having to flip backwards and forwards too much through the pages and getting lost.
- A tape recorder, so that you don’t have to note everything.
- Tapes – with the packaging already removed.
- Camera if you are providing the photographs
- Extra batteries for recorder and camera.
Allow plenty of time to get there. Arrive a little early and wait around the corner for a while, gathering your thoughts and getting prepared.
The Interview
Have some small talk ready but remember that empty compliments will have little effect. It’s best to have a little anecdote about how this person has affected your life in a positive way. It will make them feel good and establish a personal connection between you.
Ease into the interview itself by briefing the interviewee about the angle that your will be taking and don’t lie about this. If you are intent on tackling something controversial, let them know and make their reaction – positive or negative - part of your story.
Always remember, it pays dividends to be polite and agreeable. Make the interviewee comfortable – someone is more likely to open up when relaxed.
The Importance of Listening
- Listen and give good eye contact at all times. This will put the interviewee at ease.
- Don't distract yourself and the interviewee by frantic note-taking, or spend too much time looking down at your notepad while they are speaking. Keep the notepad for the occasional prompt for questions, or taking notes on your impressions of the interviewee or the surroundings.
- Let the tape recorder do the work, and allow yourself to relax, listen and think about what the interviewee is saying. If you are really listening and considering what they are saying, you will be able to follow up on something interesting that you hadn’t been prepared for.
- Listen and mentally edit your questions. Get rid of ones that have already been answered, or which have become irrelevant because of something the interviewee has said. Don't simply work your way through your list.
The important thing is, if you are genuinely interested in what they are saying, they will be encouraged to open up more. It also helps to laugh at the right moments!
The Importance of Watching
Take quick notes about the setting and the signs of “character” around the person. If you are at their home or in their office, what sort of pictures are on the wall, or on the desk? What sort of books are lying around?
Take notes about the person, their physical demeanour, their habits. What do the choices of clothes, jewellery, hairstyle say about the person?
Closing the Interview
Thank the interviewee and make sure that you can call the person or their assistant if there are any details that need to be clarified afterwards.
Make sure that the interviewee has your contact details so that he or she can contact you afterwards in the event that they think of something they’d like to add or clarify.
Some interviewees ask if they can approve the article before it is published, that is time for you to step back and explain that you’re just the writer – that sort of thing can only be agreed with the editor of the publication. Promise, however, to send them a copy of the article (and remember to do that).
After the Interview
As soon as possible, write up notes of your impressions. Make a full transcription of the recording and keep the recording in a safe place. People often forget or deny having said something; you may have to provide the recording as proof.
Read through your notes and transcript with a couple of highlighter pens at hand. Use one colour to highlight useful quotes or information and use the other colour to highlight the most telling quotes, which will become a headline, sub-headers, or will provide the theme for the article.
This will make it easier for you to find them at a glance, and ensure that you don't miss anything important when it comes to writing the article.
Follow Up
Write to the interviewee thanking them for their time. And after the interview has been published, be sure to send them a copy.
For more advice read How To Secure and Prepare for Celebrity Interviews
Click here for more information about Freelance Writing
Janice Hally - Janice Hally has written more than 300 broadcast hours of prime-time TV drama in the UK, as well as fiction and non-fiction books.
