SiteA Better Way to Set Interviews?
When I get an article assignment, I typically call potential sources, ask if they’d be available for interviews between X and Y dates, have a back-and-forth via e-mail about good dates and times, and then call at the appointed time.
Lately my husband Eric has been taking on rush assignments — articles with deadlines of a week or less. He’s been calling sources and — gasp — interviewing them right then and there if they’re available, which in many cases they are. No back-and-forth. No waiting. No sources who magically disappear at interview time.
I know this is not news to those of you who have worked for newspapers, but it sure was a wake-up call for me. If Eric can do it, why can’t I? I understand that in the case of hard-to-reach sources this may be impossible, but i many instances it would work great.
How do you schedule your interviews? Let us know in the Comments below. [lf]
9 Responses to “A Better Way to Set Interviews?”
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DianaBurrell
Said this on April 30th, 2008 at 8:58am:Too funny — I’ve been doing this for ages, and I’ve never worked in a newsroom. There’s no time like the present! This is actually a great strategy, believe it or not, for people who dread scheduled interviews.
Beth
Said this on April 30th, 2008 at 9:37am:This happened to me unwittingly once–I called a sociological expert to set up an interview and ended up interviewing him, at his request, on the spot. Not only did I get more than enough information for the article, he gave me several different ways of thinking about the material for other articles.
That’s why freelancing is so much fun–you never know what you’ll learn!
Beth
Angela
Said this on April 30th, 2008 at 9:49am:Great post! I’ve just been dealing with this. I’ve had it work both ways.
I like to schedule interviews because it forces me to do them–I can’t wimp out and decide I’ll call tomorrow.
There is something freeing though about a short deadline — there’s no time for angst and rumination or overpreparation.
I’ve also found it helps to do it both ways. Send an email asking to schedule something, and also call the same day or the next to follow up. Often the person will remember the email and just do the interview right then. Or, if leave a voice mail, now the person has two attempts from me and seems to be more likely to call me back.
wordwych
Said this on April 30th, 2008 at 10:40am:I *love* it when I call someone to schedule an interview and they’re available right away. I learned a long time ago to say, “Do you have a few minutes right now?” when I get someone on the phone. That pays off pretty frequently.
Does anyone else deal with this type of situation: You’ve placed calls to someone (or several people), and you’re waiting…waiting…waiting for the phone to ring. You can practically see cobwebs forming on the headset. You’ve done everything you can possibly do with the article and all you need is to speak with a particular contact. You check the phone line to make sure it’s actually working. You wait some more, and …nothing. Then the instant you either leave your desk or get involved in another phone call, WHAM! People start calling you back. There have been days when I have spent hours waiting for a call, only to have that call came in while I’m fetching the mail or taking my dogs in/out. Sigh.
Kristen Kirk
Said this on April 30th, 2008 at 11:07am:I’m with Eric — I “attack” immediately if the person answers her phone and is willing to talk. If I get voice mail, I leave a message AND send an e-mail (with my questions) and ask if the person prefers to talk by phone or to use e-mail. I used to hate the idea of e-mail interviews and sharing my questions beforehand, but I’m finding many sources like to use e-mail. If, however, the piece I’m doing is controversial or at all “investigative” I do not share my questions. I like to gauge the person’s uncomfortableness and immediate knowledge of my subject.
Elaine Grant
Said this on April 30th, 2008 at 11:35am:Regarding waiting by the phone — I do a fair number of scheduled interviews (since I write about business, I’m often interviewing CEOs and it’s very hard to simply get them on the phone). I try very, very hard not to let sources call me; I want to be in control and call them. I hate waiting by the phone and do it only when it’s unavoidable.
Harriet Weinstein
Said this on April 30th, 2008 at 10:12pm:Attempted to send comments this afternoon from a computer in an office (not mine) and I had difficulty getting the email through. So, it’s probably not a duplicate.
I try to speak to a source immediately when I call because you never know when you will be able to speak to a contact, even if they schedule a telephone interview.
Two problems: Your source may tell you he will speak with you, but only for 10 minutes or so because of a previously scheduled phone conversation, meeting etc. You have to decide whether to begin the conversation. If it lasts only 10 minutes, you are not in good shape. If the conversation runs longer, you probably have a good interview.
Also, the source may not be able to give you information you need because it requires some research. That’s OK, though, because you can arrange to call again.
Harriet Weinstein
I never let anyone get off the phone once I start speaking to them. However, if the person says he only has five or ten minutes and speaks for only a short time, you’re not in good shape But if they keep talking, you’ve got a good interview.
Harriet Weinstein
Said this on April 30th, 2008 at 10:14pm:Attempted to send comments this afternoon from a computer in an office (not mine) and I had difficulty getting the email through. So, it’s probably not a duplicate.
I try to speak to a source immediately when I call because you never know when you will be able to speak to a contact, even if they schedule a telephone interview.
Two problems: Your source may tell you he will speak with you, but only for 10 minutes or so because of a previously scheduled phone conversation, meeting etc. You have to decide whether to begin the conversation. If it lasts only 10 minutes, you are not in good shape. If the conversation runs longer, you probably have a good interview.
Also, the source may not be able to give you information you need because it requires some research. That’s OK, though, because you can arrange to call again.
Harriet Weinstein
Harriet Weinstein
Kayleen
Said this on May 1st, 2008 at 5:18pm:My only caveat is to say to be ready to do the interview if you’re lucky enough to get someone on the phone. Once I was in another room, expecting to get a voice mail, and then had to scramble to get to my laptop when the person answered. I’ve learned my lesson!