Discover interview essentials, including training in soft and hard skills, and preparing for flawless meetings with interviewees:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- How to conduct an interview?<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- How to prepare questions for the interview process<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- 15 interviewing tips for journalists and PR pros<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- A go-to guide to recording in-person interviews<\/a><\/strong><\/li>
- Hands-on tips for recording online interviews<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Go to Prowly\u2019s Media Database<\/a> and create a list of relevant contacts that might be interested in the content of your interview<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to conduct an interview? 5 key media interview tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
#1 Starting an interview is just as important as knowing how to end an interview<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Assess the interviewee's mood before and after the interview. How do you think they feel? Are there any visual cues you can detect immediately?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 Adjust your opening, and ending questions according to their behavior<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#2 Do in-depth research beforehand<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Knowing all the ins and outs about the topic will put you in a winning position in guiding the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 See who the person is<\/strong>, research their past interviews (if applicable), try to remember key points about the topic itself, and use them to your advantage during the interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#3 Know your goals before you start the interview<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What is it that you want to know? It's easy to get sidetracked during an interview. There may be questions for journalists conducting an interview online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 However, make sure you prepare your own, personalized questions<\/strong> that will yield the answers you're looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#4 Check the space and equipment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The worst thing that can happen is a malfunctioning microphone or a space where you can hear disruptive outside noises. Imagine your interviewee not being able to focus on giving you the answers because there's construction going on right outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 Hiring someone to help you out<\/strong> may be a great idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#5 Remember it's a conversation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Rather than asking questions, and having a person answer them, make sure it's more of a dialogue<\/strong> between the both of you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udc49 Think of it this way: someone is telling you a story, and you're asking the right questions to make them feel heard<\/strong> and keep them going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nFIND THE RIGHT JOURNALISTS FOR FREE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to prepare questions for the interview process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The interview itself won't take you long, but the time you'll put into preparations can make or break the results you'll get. Here are a few tips on how to research everything you need to and ask the right questions during an interview:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcac Ask open-ended questions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your questions are too specific, you'll probably get robotic answers without much imagery and background. To elicit a conversation, ask open-ended questions and follow up with inquiries related to that one later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcac Focus on their experience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You never know if the person you're interviewing believes they're subject matter experts in what you're asking them about. Try to make them more confident, highlight their experience, and make them feel as if they're the best person for this interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcac Lead, but not too much<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You're in charge of the interview, however, don't steer towards a particular response. Yes, you have your own goals, but remember that forcing a respondent to say something they might later regret will result in a lack of authenticity and ethics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you want to make your interview reach not only a wide audience but also the right one?<\/strong> You can find relevant journalists by going to Prowly\u2019s Media Database<\/a> and filtering them by country, topics, language, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/prowly.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2023\/10\/filter-media-database-for-an-art-press-release-1024x983.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\nTRY PROWLY FOR 7 DAYS FREE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n15 interviewing tips for journalists and PR pros<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1\ufe0f\u20e3 Conversation-first approach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The interview process is not about asking questions and having the other person answer them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Well, it kind of is, but there are several helpful interview tips that you need to incorporate to have it flow naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> Be inviting and open to storytelling<\/strong>, and in turn, listen with reflection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The more you understand the essence of what they're trying to say, the more you'll be able to empathize and make them feel like you've got a personal connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2\ufe0f\u20e3 Your questions can (and should) change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You've definitely prepared a set of questions you want to ask, but:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> make sure to guide it more like a conversation<\/strong>, and less like a Q&A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While it's good to know exactly what you want to ask, consider having many options and practice beforehand so that your media interviews don't feel inauthentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3\ufe0f\u20e3 Conversation flow control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When you're thinking of the most powerful interviewing techniques, consider learning how to redirect conversations where you want them to go. Make sure you do so without interrupting the interviewee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> To do this, gently guide the person<\/strong> so that they cover all the essential points naturally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And for a curated list of contacts who might be interested in your story<\/strong> and topic, head over to Prowly\u2019s Media Database<\/a>. You will learn more from the guide on how to do PR outreach<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4\ufe0f\u20e3 Timeline interrogation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
While \"interrogation\" sounds like you're the one who's going to be interviewed by the CIA, don't worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It's a scary name for a method that simply calls for asking straightforward questions and constructing inquiries so that your interviewees will slowly but surely recall all of the events chronologically<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5\ufe0f\u20e3 Use interviewee idiosyncrasies in the article<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do you know how to interview in general, or how to interview someone for an article?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> Remember that it's not about just holding a great conversation, but noting down things that are original to their personality<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do they have a unique perspective, use specific idioms, or use words others don't? Make sure you jot it down and later put it in your article so that it feels more authentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nFIND THE RIGHT JOURNALISTS FOR FREE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n6\ufe0f\u20e3 Meta-questioning<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some of the best tips for interviewing someone also suggest that you should start meta-questioning your interviewee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> These include questions about their underlying thought process<\/strong> or personal decision-making strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not only does that intensify the dialogue, but also opens the door for uncovering valuable insights into their thought patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7\ufe0f\u20e3 Silent note-taking<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> When you're actively taking notes during an interview, consider occasionally pausing and stop writing<\/strong>.
\u2192<\/strong> As you pause, one of the interview techniques is to also look them closely in the eye and maintain attentive body language<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThanks to these intervals, you'll create a natural opportunity for the person you're interviewing to give you additional insights. Plus - interviewees will connect more with you and express themselves more comprehensively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8\ufe0f\u20e3 Hypothetical scenarios<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Introducing hypothetical scenarios<\/strong> is one of the hottest tips for conducting an interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- It allows you to conduct an effective interview by examining the person (or brand) in all kinds of ways, from top to bottom.<\/li>
- It's a wonderful way to get an insight into their strategic thinking, see where you can pull their tongue a bit more, and which topics they feel more comfortable, or uncomfortable with.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
It all depends on your goal, but hypothetical scenarios can provide tons of valuable insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
9\ufe0f\u20e3 Body language calibration<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Public relations interview questions are not only about speaking. It's also about monitoring your interviewees' body language and adjusting your own to mirror theirs. Non-verbal communication is as important as the verbal one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> Oftentimes consciously choosing the gestures, facial expressions, and posture can help create<\/strong> a more comfortable and open atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nFIND CONTACTS IN PROWLY\u2019S MEDIA DATABASE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\ud83d\udd1f Try non-traditional settings<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Previously, when people thought of the interview process, the image in their head resembled a corporate setting, especially if it was a media interview with a public person. Of course, interviews at people's homes or other places happened too, but it had to be connected somehow with the story itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, interviews are conducted nearly everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you seen celebrities and influencers doing podcast interviews<\/a> dressed in sweatpants? It has yet to be this casual for, let's say, political guests, but slowly moving away from a formal setting is beginning to be the norm<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No wonder, since it leads to more candid and spontaneous interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1\ufe0f\u20e31\ufe0f\u20e3 Stakeholder role play<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> Ask interviewees to pause and step into the shoes of different clients<\/strong>, team members, and stakeholders who are involved in the topic you're speaking about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Such a practical approach can provide in-depth insights into how they think about their environment holistically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pro Tip: <\/strong>If you're wondering how to conduct a good interview using stakeholder role play, come up with a controversial scenario or one your audience will be interested in<\/strong>. However, make sure to analyze who your interviewee is beforehand since some questions might be off-limits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1\ufe0f\u20e32\ufe0f\u20e3 Memory association techniques<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> Ask about specific memories related to the topic<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether it's pairing information with vivid images, rephrasing the material into your own words so that you can express what they said from a different point of view, or even talking about the colors, sounds, and textures that might have been there can facilitate a more genuine and authentic conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nTRY PROWLY'S MEDIA DATABASE FOR FREE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n1\ufe0f\u20e33\ufe0f\u20e3 Empathy mapping<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2192 During an interview, construct an empathy map<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It can give you an assessment of what the interviewee thinks about the topic and how are they connected to it emotionally. Make sure to note emotional cues, concerns, and aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don't forget about body language<\/strong>! By using empathy mapping as one of the interview techniques, you'll see where to guide the interview towards a more meaningful and insightful discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1\ufe0f\u20e34\ufe0f\u20e3 Pattern interrupt<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> Introduce unexpected questions and twists, or slightly change the interview dynamic<\/strong> to break the pattern.
It's more of a psychological tool used to guide the other person's behavior, but also a wonderful method for gauging your audience's attention with questions and answers they might have not expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u2192<\/strong> When conducting an interview, start speaking first<\/strong>.
Then, you can guide the conversation and mix in other pattern interrupt techniques, such as oversharing, objecting to the other person, or being verbally ambiguous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1\ufe0f\u20e35\ufe0f\u20e3 Narrative visualization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2192<\/strong> Ask your interviewees to try and visualize their responses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That way, they will be able to tell you more details about it, and essentially \"paint a picture\" of the story they're talking about. This is exactly what makes a good interview \u2013 descriptive imagery and an engaging storyline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To find journalists and their contact information<\/strong>, simply head over to Prowly\u2019s Media Database<\/a> and send them a brief summary of your interview with key highlights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Prowly](\"https:\/\/prowly.com\/magazine\/app\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Prowly-Media-Database-966x1024.png\")
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- How to prepare questions for the interview process<\/a><\/strong><\/li>