Interviewing

The interviewee can reach new audiences and people following the interviee will find the interview and some will explore related work by the interviewer.

Being Interviewed

If you have something to say and a reputation of some kind that makes you an interesting interviewee, interviewers might be interested in talking to you.

• Find out who wants to interview you
• Prepare for the interview and anticipate likely questions with thoughtful answers
• Use bridges and flags to convey all your points

Conducting Interviews

Selecting Interviewees

1. First you need to make a list of the kinds of people you might like to interview and why.
2. Then you'll need to invite them by whatever method seems most appropriate. For example, if you share a mutual friend with the invitee, you might have the friend forward your request. Everyone has Contact Preferences about how they would like to be reached.

Investigative Journalism Interviews

When you're trying to uncover the truth, a whole range of considerations come into play.

Hostile Interviews

Sometimes people interview people whom they oppose to discuss issues which often turns into impromptu debating with interviewer and interviewee saying what they've wanted to say to each other for a long time.

• Example: O'Reilly on The Daily Show, John
• Example: John Stewart on Crossfire

Friendly Interviews

Sometimes people interview people whom they support to spread their message.

Preparatory Research

Take the time to do research before an interview.

Let The Interviewee Do The Talking 

Avoid excessively nodding or saying "yes" and "mhmm". Video Example of Overdoing "Mhmm"

Preparing Questions

Think about what your audience would be interested to know.

Asking Tough Questions

Asking follow-up questions when a question is dodged.

Softball

Some interviewers are clearly friendly to the subject and do not ask tough critical questions or follow up on oblique answers.

Interviewing Techniques

Avoid vocally saying normal conversational non-statements like "Yeah," "Ahuh," etc.,

These non-interruptions are unnecessary and make you sound amateurish.

Interviewing Examples

John Stewart on Crossfire

Watch Video Read Transcript Beware of inviting a guest you cannot handle! John Stewart appeared on Crossfire, called them "partisan hacks" and pleaded with them to "stop hurting America". Crossfire was subsequently cancelled by CNN management who said they were "of the John Stewart school of thought."

Democracy Now with Amy Goodman

Alex Jones Interviews Charlie Sheen