Do your research. Read everything and anything about the person you plan to interview, and also know the topic you’re going to talk about.
Determine what you need from the interview for your story.
Write out your questions to help you stay focused, but feel free to cut loose from the list of questions.
Let them know again when you start the interview why you are doing the story and why their interview is important.
Ask open-ended questions. “Why did you say that?” “What did you actually see happen?”
Avoid questions that will get you a yes or no answer. “Are you afraid?” “Did you see the burglar?” “Will you go to work tomorrow?”
Avoid double loaded questions. It can confuse the interviewee. “Are you sure the burglar was caught behind the house, because detectives say he was discovered at the mall. Don’t you think the burglar was smarter than that?” When more than one question is asked, the interviewee has to decide which one to answer first.
Avoid statement-questions. They suck up time and also can leave the person you’re interviewing confused. “I know when I covered Hurricane Katrina everyone fled New Orleans. I know it was several years ago, but survivors moved out as fast as they could. Do you think Hurricane Dorian will have the same effect the the residents of Florida?”
Plan the order of your questions. The first few can be questions that “warm up” the person you are interviewing. Gets him or her relaxed. The more controversial, harder questions should be more at the end. Any question you feel that could have the interviewee shut down the interview should be asked at the end, but sometimes you’ll be surprised and they stay around.
Take notes with a pen and paper. You never know when your camera battery will die in the middle of an interview. Also avoid using your camera as a notebook. This will slow down the video editing later.
Never mislead a person or lie about the reason you are conducting the interview. It is unethical.
Don’t give your list of questions to the person you plan to interview even if they ask to see them. Simply answer, “I only have a few questions, but I’m going to listen closely and your answers will help me decide the next question.”
A good way to start an interview is by asking, “Tell me a little bit about you? How long have you worked here?” This often allows them to relax and ease into the interview.
Avoid going off the record. You need the interview.
Don’t go into an interview with a bias attitude. Leave your opinions in the car. Go into an interview with a clear head.
Short questions are better than long ones. They don’t confuse the interviewee.
Listen closely to the person when they answer. They may say something that will spark the next question.
When someone is answering, look at them. Don’t be looking at your notebook for the next question.
Don’t be afraid to ask a person to slow down or explain their answer. “Could you please repeat what you said, it went by me too fast.” “I’m sorry I don’t understand your answer, can you explain it to me?”
Double check what they say especially if their answer left you confused. “Let me get this right. Did you say that your neighbor stole the boat or that you stole it?” “Can you please clarify what you said earlier? Did you see the murder or did you mother see it?”
Push forward for an answer when someone says “No comment” or gives you the silent treatment. Don’t give up when someone says “no comment.” Put it back on them. “Is there a reason for your no comment? Is there a reason you don’t want to defend yourself from the accusations?” “Your silent treatment; does that mean don’t care about the police officers get no raise?”
Rand Paul makes a run for it (2:46)
Always maintain eye contact, because you may see something in their face that will spark a question. “I see your eyes are tearing up. What are you thinking?” “I can see in your eyes that you’re getting upset. Why?”
Rebecca Aguilar 