On Interviewing

I’ve been at the political blogging game for a half-decade, but only really got into interviewing in the last two or three years. I’ve made some interesting observations since then, and I thought some of my readers – especially those that are just starting out – might be interested in hearing about it. These are in fairly random order, but here goes:

1. Famous people got to be famous by talking to un-famous people like you. I was listening to Radio for Conservatives the other day, and they were talking to uber-blogger John Hawkins about scoring the big interview. He’s had the opportunity to interview heavyweights like Ann Coulter, Thomas Sowell and even the late Milton Friedman. He was asked how he managed to land these big fish. His response? “I ask.”

The courage to ask is one of the most valuable tools you can have in your interviewing toolbox. You don’t ask, you don’t get. I asked for a minor miracle a month ago – I wanted the same guest host for my podcast that Rush Limbaugh uses for his radio show. I asked. I got. Shazam!

2. Do your research. You don’t have to be a mathematician to interview one. You don’t have to know the ins-and-outs of taxation or the Israeli one/two-state solution. But if you are interviewing a subject who has spoken or written extensively on the subject before, it might be best to find out why they’re an expert, and what they intend to impart to the world with their knowledge.If they have a book, read it. If they’re in the news, read/watch the interviews of others.

I frequently use the line “too pretty for math” to describe myself, but have interviewed economists and tax experts, and come off not sounding like an idiot. I always dread the interviews lest I sound like a fool, but I have my notes and questions in front of me, and I’m confident that I’ve done my homework.

3. Remember that your subject shits, too. That’s right. Whether you are interviewing a local cop or the queen of Denmark, they all eat, sleep and shit like the rest of us. This will help you get over any hero worship and do your job. Be polite, treat them like a friendly acquaintance, and you will get plenty from them. Be nervous and you’ll forget your questions.

4. YOU are not the subject. At various conferences I’ve been to, I’ve made the mistake of being in the photograph with my subject. Well, I suppose it makes sense that you’ll want a picture of yourself with someone famous for your personal collection, but be sure to get some solo shots for your news story. You are not Oprah – and even she looks like an ass most of the time being photographed with her betters.

My personal regret was only getting one shot of the head of Pacific Command, Admiral Timothy Keating, which I was in with him. Dumb, dumb, dumb. But we all make mistakes.

5. Take your mother’s advice. Write a thank you note. The subject of your interview has better things to do than spend an hour with you – they might have a a great symphony to finish or a country to run – yet they took the time to sit down and talk to you. Don’t be a putz – thank them for that. Use your discretion as to whether an email, a letter or a handwritten note is most appropriate. If someone in their office – an assistant or publicist – moved heaven and earth to assist you, they get a thank you as well.

6. Sometimes second best is good enough. So you couldn’t get your schedule to work with Senator So-and-So. That’s a pity. But did you find their staffers to be helpful? Why not send them a few questions via email and get an exclusive statement from the Senator’s office? It might not be the chat you were hoping for, but if you’re the only one who does it, it’s still an exclusive.

7. Be sure to send them a copy. Whether it’s a link to a blog, the MP3 (or link) to a podcast, or a copy of your local paper, be sure to send it to the subject and/or their assistant. Some people have scrapbooks they keep their interviews in, others use certain lines for future interviews. In some cases, if you hit upon something juicy, it might hit the wider news radar. When that happens, the subject will need to refer back to your chat for context when answering questions to other reporters.

Everyone has a story to tell. A good interviewer can get the story and a whole lot more besides. And sometimes, your subject can become a contact and a stepping-stone to the next subject. If you have regular dealings with someone you’ve interviewed, don’t be hesitant to ask them for an intro to someone they know that you want to talk to. Everyone is a resource.

A Word On Class

I have interviewed author, columnist and polemicist Mark Steyn on several occasions. I can also say he bought me a martini once (the way to this woman’s heart, indeed!). Mark Steyn is a journalistic powerhouse with fans around the world, but he doesn’t act like it. A friend of mine who recently had the opportunity to meet Steyn said to me afterward “He didn’t dominate the conversation. He was interested in our stories, even though people pay to hear his. He was like a friend.” This is so true of Steyn, and it makes him the ideal interview.

So as you rush out to score your big subject, I leave you with this blessing: May they all be like Mark.