Audio Interview Tips¶

Problem Statement¶

What are the best ways to approach an audio interview?

Background¶

Many people think interviewing is just asking questions, but in fact there is a lot more to keep in mind and do than asking questions. There are techniques and practices you can make use of, especially for audio interviews, which can help ensure you get the best out of your interviewee and that it comes across in audio.

Solution¶

When you plan the interview, ask yourself the following this:

• What do I want out of the interview? (What's the point of the interview?)
• What does the interviewee likely want? (Will they want to tell me, if they know?)
• What do I know (about the subject & interviewee)?
• What does he/she know?
• What do I need to find out?
• In what order shall I put my questions?
• How do I begin?
• How do I end?
• Is there a ‘golden nugget’ I’m looking for?
• How do I find it?

Before you start, try to put the interviewee at ease. Introduce yourself, chat, make a joke, explain what you will be doing in the interview. Don't start out with putting your device under someone's nose.

Be calm – the best way to make your interviewee relax is to be relaxed yourself.

Ask 'open' questions, not 'closed' ones which can be answered in one word such as 'yes' or 'no'.

Ask 'who', 'where', 'when', 'what', 'how' questions – and most importantly, 'why' and 'what does it mean'?

Ask simple questions that keep the conversation moving. (“Why?” “What happened next?” “What do you mean?” “What makes you say that?” “How do you know that?”)

Show that you're listening by making eye-contact, nodding, etc. Ensure that you're not making sounds like hmm, or OK, because this will also be recorded.

Ask one question at a time, and make sure it's a question. Don't try to steal the spotlight.

[ADDED FROM 3.4]

Don't be afraid to interrupt when you don't understand or when the interviewee is talking too long. You can interrupt by:

• Using eye contact to ‘ask’ for the interviewee to pause, or opening your mouth as though you are about to speak
• A light touch on the arm
• Wait till the interviewee takes a breath and then jump in firmly

Always be polite even in hostile situations. (Being polite doesn't mean you can't ask tough questions – it means doing so politely.)

At the end of the interview, ask them if they have anything else to add. Ask them who else you might talk to, too.

Planned vs. Spontaneous

For any story that includes interviews, there can be planned and spontaneous interviews. Planned interviews are those where you've contacted the person before hand and made an appointment to speak. In these cases you can plan what questions you want to ask related to your topic. You also could have time to research the person you are going to speak with, to give you an idea of what more to ask or talk about. Planned interviews also ensure that you'll get the time you want to ask all your questions and record the conversation.

Unplanned interviews are more common for breaking news or person-on-the-street style conversations. In such cases you don't always have much information about the person you are speaking with, and your questions will more likely be general so that anyone could answer. People being spontaneously interviewed may also not give you the time you want or the detailed responses you had hoped for. But as on the spot observers speaking in the moment, their testimony can add to a story that is still developing, but providing more observation and information.

Establishing Trust

When speaking with people one key way to get an interesting and candid conversation is to establish trust. Trust that you are not out to harm or manipulate the words of the person you are speaking with. When someone detects you have a good level of integrity they will be more open and willing to speak with you specifically over other people who may not convey the same feeling.
Establishing this trust can be done in several small but important ways: be clear about who you are, who you work for, who your audience is, and what your topic is. Explaining what first interested you in the topic or the person is also a good way to ease their concerns about why you have chosen them and what your goal is.

Follow-up

Some journalists stay in touch with the person they have interviewed throughout the process of producing the story, or they show them a final version of their part before the full story is published. This is true in audio like in text or any other form of media production, making sure the person you have featured is aware of what you're doing and will not later be offended, angry, or out to stop you somehow. Some stories do not allow for this type of open-ness, especially of the person being interviewed is trying to cover up some truth that has been exposed during your conversation. In those cases followup is less useful or even possible. But when it is possible, it can be very good to followup with interviewees during or after the audio production process. Neils: This is also a function in the app, isn't it?

Things to Remember¶

- Planned interviews offer the distinct advantage of allowing you to fully prepare questions and research before you speak with someone.
- Unplanned interviews are challenging , but can also provide interesting audio background.
- Small courtesies and actions can help establish trust and therefore improve interviews.
- If it is possible, do some follow-up with the people you interview and send them the final item.

Multimedia Details¶

Multimedia 1

Type: Image
Location in the text: research the person
Script (if necessary):
Detailed Description: image of a website with a description of someone as an example of researching an interviewee.

Multimedia 2

Type: Photo
Location in the text: spontaneously interviewed
Script (if necessary):
Detailed Description: Photo of a person being interviewed on the street with a reporter holding a microphone.

Multimedia 3

Type: Image
Location in the text: stay in touch
Script (if necessary):
Detailed Description: screencap of an email example of a followup message saying: Dear Mr Smith, our interview will be published this weekend along with the story about the protest. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me and I wish you all the best in the future.

Test
Concept: Quiz¶

Question 1

Question: What is the advantage of a planned interview?
Answer 1: You can make time to research who they are and prepare the best questions possible.
Answer 2: You get to walk the streets searching for someone to speak with on-the-spot.
Answer 3: None of the Above
Answer 4:
Correct Answer: 1, You can make time to research who they are and prepare the best questions possible.

Question 2

Question: Why should you try to establish trust with someone you are interviewing?
Answer 1: So that they will give you money.
Answer 2: So they don't steal from you.
Answer 3: To increase the chance they will speak honestly and openly knowing that you have integrity.
Answer 4: All of the Above
Correct Answer: 3, To increase the chance they will speak honestly and openly knowing that you have integrity.

Question 3

Question: Which is good example of following up with someone you interviewed?
Answer 1: Avoid communicating with that person for as long as possible.
Answer 2: Email or call them to thank them for their participation and informing them of when the work will be published/aired.
Answer 3: Follow them around town and watch where they go.
Correct Answer: 2, Email or call them to thank them for their participation and informing them of when the work will be published/aired.

Number of Questions to pass the Quiz: 3