Interviews continued: The setup

Setting up: Location and photos

Once you decide you have what you need for your interview—an intriguing topic, someone knowledgeable who will talk to you about it, and an interested editor, set up time to meet with the interviewee. (See my November 9 post on what comes first, the query to an editor or the knowledgeable person.)

Location: The best interviews are in person, because the environment will provide you with some clues, perhaps some discussion points to put the person at ease if needed, and allow you to take photos if permitted. Telephone interviews are the next most acceptable—and likely the most common way—to conduct an interview these days because of time constraints and busy schedules. E-mail is okay in a pinch, but it’s not ideal, because the further you remove yourself from the person, the less flexibility you have for getting into deeper questions that might be triggered in a phone or face-to-face conversation.

Glacial ice, Alberta, Canada
Photo by Gail M. Pfeifer

Photos: Always have the person sign a permission form allowing you to take a photograph for publication before doing so. You can get an official form from the publication you are writing for. Prominent folks usually have headshots they can send to you. Digital photographs must be high resolution (350 dpi or better) for publishing purposes, so bring a camera that allows such settings if you are taking the photos yourself. You want the photos you submit with your article to be crystal clear.

Time: Plan to take up no more than 30 minutes of the interviewee’s time at his or her convenience. Be prompt with your arrival or phone call and plan your Q&A for that time frame. (See the next post on Q&A development.) But—and this is important—allow extra time if the interviewee needs it. Even initially reticent interviewees are often excited about what they do and may talk more than you expect. Tapping into that excitement may bring you the best quotes. I’ll talk about developing questions my next post.