What to Remember When Interviewing Experts
As professionals in journalism, it is imperative that we engage with experts in our respective fields. However, it's worth examining if we are extracting the utmost value from these interactions. Some have expressed concern about the oversimplification or disregard for subtleties in journalists' coverage. This may be a legitimate critique, as reporters typically lack the same depth of knowledge as their interviewees. Nevertheless, journalists should take care to address this perception.
To enhance the efficacy of expert interviews and improve the rapport with sources, consider the following recommendations.
RESEARCH YOUR SUBJECT
Before conducting an interview, it's crucial to conduct thorough research on your subject. This includes examining their social media presence, identifying shared interests, and taking note of any noteworthy recent works. During initial small talk, referencing these points can help establish rapport and set a positive tone for the conversation.
EXPLAIN WHAT YOU HAVE IN MIND
Prior to commencing an interview, it's advisable to provide an overview of the piece's focus and your objectives. If your publication lacks widespread recognition, it may be beneficial to give your interviewee more insight into your audience and their interests.
Considering that busy individuals have limited availability, it's crucial to pitch your interviewee with the same level of effort as you would with your editor. Additionally, it's important to establish a deadline for their response. A deadline aids your source in understanding the degree of preparation necessary and sets expectations regarding the level of depth desired.
SET APPROPRIATE EXPECTATIONS
The majority of content gathered during an interview is likely to be excluded from the final product. For instance, a 30-minute conversation may result in a transcript comprising 4,500-5,000 words, yet just a small fraction will ultimately be incorporated into an 800-1,000 word article or a two-minute package. It's important to recognize that individuals without prior experience in journalism or interviewing may not be aware of this fact.
To set appropriate expectations, journalists should make an effort to brief their interviewees beforehand. This should include a discussion of the anticipated outcome and the likelihood that not all of the material discussed will be utilized in the final publication.
USE THE INTERVIEW AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND YOUR NETWORK OF SOURCES
Journalists aim to procure dependable sources, but this entails more than just credible individuals with a thorough comprehension of facts and arguments. Valuable sources also possess the ability to provide us with insightful quotes, especially when time is of the essence. Such sources can prove to be highly valuable, although it's important for reporters to avoid becoming excessively dependent on them.
Furthermore, there's significant room for improvement when it comes to leveraging these sources for idea generation. Reporters frequently inquire "Who else should I speak with?" or "What stories are being overlooked?" at the conclusion of interviews, resulting in potential leads for future articles while also fostering relationships with sources. This approach is an effective method of expanding one's network while also getting ahead of potential stories to cover.
VERIFY, VERIFY, VERIFY
Many experts, particularly those unaccustomed to interacting with the media, may request to review a story before its publication. In the majority of instances, this is considered to be a violation of journalistic ethics.
That being said, it's still permissible to verify and validate quotes that have been attributed to an individual. This is particularly critical when dealing with sensitive subjects or subjects that are beyond one's area of expertise.
DON’T FORGET TO THANK THEM
When a source agrees to an interview, it is essential to acknowledge and express appreciation for their time.
One simple gesture of gratitude is to consistently send interviewees a link to the finished article in which they contributed. This process only requires a few minutes of your time and can even be facilitated with an email template that is easily accessible.
By personally notifying a source when a piece in which they were featured is published, you are providing them with an added sense of respect and recognition.
Alan Herrera is the Editorial Supervisor for the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents (AFPC-USA), where he oversees the organization’s media platform, foreignpress.org. He previously served as AFPC-USA’s General Secretary from 2019 to 2021 and as its Treasurer until early 2022.
Alan is an editor and reporter who has worked on interviews with such individuals as former White House Communications Director Anthony Scaramucci; Maria Fernanda Espinosa, the former President of the United Nations General Assembly; and Mariangela Zappia, the former Permanent Representative to Italy for the U.N. and current Italian Ambassador to the United States.
Alan has spent his career managing teams as well as commissioning, writing, and editing pieces on subjects like sustainable trade, financial markets, climate change, artificial intelligence, threats to the global information environment, and domestic and international politics. Alan began his career writing film criticism for fun and later worked as the Editor on the content team for Star Trek actor and activist George Takei, where he oversaw the writing team and championed progressive policy initatives, with a particular focus on LGBTQ+ rights advocacy.