Very good advice. The only one I would add — which is implicit in your points — is “Listen! Don’t just wait for the chance to ask the next question you prepared.” Matt Galloway is very good at this; he listens intensely to what the interviewee is saying, and calmly asks him or her to explain something that was just said.
Barbara Frum had a useful technique for wrapping up a long-winded interview...she would use the person's name in the context of a rhetorical question. As in...."Prime Minister Thatcher? Thank you for doing this." Useful column for all of us, Paul. Thanks.
Once in a while, journalists interview me about my academic expertise. It's nice to learn what's going on on the other side. And as an occasional interviewee, I agree: being told that what we say is interesting helps relieve stress and encourages us to keep going.
Great tips, Paul. Even an old dog can learn new stuff. To which I would only add more about the importance of the question "why?" The essence of so many good stories is found in the answer to that one.
Jeez this is terrific. Loved the ref to Frank Rich, a great read. I always thought Mansbridge was a great interviewer. Main thing for me: you must listen!
Everything I know about interviewing
Very good advice. The only one I would add — which is implicit in your points — is “Listen! Don’t just wait for the chance to ask the next question you prepared.” Matt Galloway is very good at this; he listens intensely to what the interviewee is saying, and calmly asks him or her to explain something that was just said.
Barbara Frum had a useful technique for wrapping up a long-winded interview...she would use the person's name in the context of a rhetorical question. As in...."Prime Minister Thatcher? Thank you for doing this." Useful column for all of us, Paul. Thanks.
Once in a while, journalists interview me about my academic expertise. It's nice to learn what's going on on the other side. And as an occasional interviewee, I agree: being told that what we say is interesting helps relieve stress and encourages us to keep going.
Great tips, Paul. Even an old dog can learn new stuff. To which I would only add more about the importance of the question "why?" The essence of so many good stories is found in the answer to that one.
Jeez this is terrific. Loved the ref to Frank Rich, a great read. I always thought Mansbridge was a great interviewer. Main thing for me: you must listen!
Paul, thank you for sharing these 'tips'.
Being someone who likes to know how things work, these insights are truly invaluable.
Cheers.