As a journalist, it is your job to conduct good interviews. This means getting the best information possible from your sources. It also involves putting your subject at ease and getting them to open up about their experiences and thoughts. But how do you do that? What makes a great interview? We compiled four secrets to conducting great interviews as a journalist. Let’s take a look at them here.
Discover Your Subject’s Authentic Self
The first secret to conducting a great interview is to discover your subject’s authentic self. This means getting to the heart of who they are and what motivates them. It involves asking probing questions and listening carefully to the answers. It also means being open-minded and non-judgmental. You need to create a safe environment for your subject to open up and be honest with you. Building rapport with your subject is what professionals always do.
Show Your Audiences Why They’re Interesting
Do you know what your subject’s most fascinating quality is? If not, you need to find out. What makes them unique and exciting? Why should your audience care about them? When you know the answer to these questions, you can craft your questions accordingly. You must show your audiences why they’re interesting and worth listening to. Your job as a journalist is to make your subject’s stories compelling and worth reading.
Make Them Slow Down
When talking, people often speak quickly and use a lot of jargon. This can make it difficult for your audience to understand what they’re saying. As a journalist, it’s your job to ensure your subject speaks in plain English. You need to make them slow down and explain things clearly. This will help your audience engage with the interview and understand the points your subject is trying to make.
Keep It Short and Unscripted
Although we need to keep asking our subjects questions, we also need to know when to stop. The goal is not to grill them with questions but to let them speak freely. Sometimes the best interviews are the ones that feel unscripted and natural. So don’t be afraid to let the conversation flow naturally. And if you need to, cut off your questions and let your subject speak.
Your job as a journalist should never stop. You always have to be on the lookout for new and exciting stories. But if you want to conduct a great interview, keep these four secrets in mind. And remember, the best interviews are the ones that feel natural and unscripted. So relax and let the conversation flow. You’ll be doing just fine.