{"id":20928,"date":"2024-07-29T08:59:50","date_gmt":"2024-07-29T06:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mediaforta.com\/blog\/?p=20928"},"modified":"2024-07-29T09:07:28","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T07:07:28","slug":"how-to-conduct-an-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mediaforta.com\/blog\/en\/content-production\/how-to-conduct-an-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"How to conduct an interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Whether you’re interviewing for a podcast, an article, or a video, a good interview is more than just running through a pre-set list of questions. Interviewing is an art that can be approached in various ways. So you won’t find an absolute truth here, but rather some guidelines to help you get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preparation is key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
People often say, “good preparation is half the work,” and that’s no different here. Therefore, for a podcast or video interview, it’s always a good idea to have a preliminary conversation. During this call, you can gauge how your interviewee speaks, which topics they are enthusiastic about, and which subjects are less interesting to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on your preliminary conversation, you can prepare and further research your interview. How thoroughly you prepare depends on the individual. Some people prefer an extensive list of questions, while others just like to note down some topics.Both methods have their pitfalls. With a list of questions, you risk sticking too rigidly to your preparation and not asking follow-up questions. If you work with loose topics, make sure not to lose focus during the interview. In any case, it is essential to actively listen to your conversation partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you want to record the interview? Ask for permission in advance to avoid misunderstandings. Testing your equipment is also part of your preparation. That way, you won’t have to stress about technical issues and can fully focus on the person you’re interviewing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few points to consider during your preparation:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Ask yourself what your audience wants to know.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Also, ask questions to which you think you already know the answer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Ensure that both you and your conversation partner have the same expectations for the interview.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
An interview as a story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
An interview is not just a cross-examination. It is an interaction between you and your conversation partner, where you weave a story together. Ira Glass, the American radio personality known from This American Life, puts it this way: “Rather than structuring a story as a collection of arguments and ideas, structure it as a narrative, a sequence of events. This happened, then this happened, …”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, it is important to have different types of questions in your arsenal. To get a general idea of the story, use open-ended questions. For example: what did you think of the festival? If your interviewee gives a short answer, you can ask follow-up questions like: why did you think that? While closed questions are often discouraged, they can sometimes be useful, but it depends on the person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is it mandatory to send your questions in advance? No, but it’s best to ensure that you both have the same expectations for the conversation. If you prefer not to share your questions beforehand, explain why. Generally, you do share the topics that will be covered in the interview. If your conversation partner wants more information to prepare, you could offer some example questions as a compromise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few points to consider when structuring your interview:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Choose an interview structure and logically build up your questions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Clearly agree with your conversation partner whether you will send the questions in advance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Practice, practice, and practice again! Interviewing is like a muscle that you need to train.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Pay attention to your attitude<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While good preparation is crucial, the real work begins during the interview itself. It’s extremely important that the interviewee feels comfortable. Someone who doesn’t feel safe with you will only share limited information. Therefore, you can go over some guidelines before the interview. For example: you don’t need to be nervous, you can stop the interview at any time, feel free to indicate if you need a break, …<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s no secret that your physical posture is important in a conversation. But also pay attention to the tone in which you ask your questions and how you react. Show your conversation partner that you are actively listening. However, be cautious with frequent verbal responses like “yes” or “indeed,” as listeners often find these distracting in audio form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on your timing, that is absolutely allowed. If you feel a certain topic needs further exploration, feel free to ask for clarification, but of course in a polite manner. Executive producer at Lower Street and former BBC journalist Sam Datta-Paulin says: “Interrupting isn’t always the worst thing in the world, but remember, they are the guest. You’ll have plenty of time to get your thoughts across, so let them speak.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few points to consider during the interview:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Relax! Try to let go of your nerves if you are well-prepared. Focus on having an attentive conversation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Thank your interviewee after the conversation. This can be with a simple “thank you” or a small token of appreciation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Ensure that the post-interview expectations are clear. Can your conversation partner review the final result before publication?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n