How to Get the Most From a Radio Interview
Writing the Interviewer’s Script and Asking the Right Questions
Apr 23, 2009
The first and most important part of any interview, the interviewer especially should always remember is that in every interview there are human beings involved. With so many other areas to concentrate on like deadlines, technical equipment, outside pressures from PR people, editor’s demands, celebrity foibles, the interviewer’s own assumptions and not least the listeners’ expectations, the human aspect of an interview is often forgotten.
The Two Sides to an Interview.
Essentially the best interview is a conversation the listener is invited to listen in to, and there are two important parts to every good radio interview. Firstly the person asking the questions and the person or persons answering them, and secondly the way in which they these two parties interact with each other. This interaction is the essence of a ‘great’ interview, and it should fulfil a number of prerequisites:
- Answers the questions the listener most wants answered
- Tells the listener something they perhaps didn’t know about the interviewee
- Be entertaining, revealing and interesting
- The interviewer should be well informed about the subject
- And the Interviewer should always be in control
The Skills of the Interviewer.
Asking the right questions in the right situation is a skill not given to many but with a bit of practice and a lot of work, learning the skills necessary to interview effectively can be achieved. The person asking the questions shoulders most of the responsibility, starting the conversation and guiding it through a logical path of their making to some sensible conclusion. They should possess or learn the following skills at least:
- Be not just a good listener but a great listener
- Be able to structure the interview and ask the questions in a logical order
- Ask follow up questions when relevant and pertinent
- Can adapt the interview to follow interesting divergences
- Knows when to ask why, and get the most out of the answers
- And has the ability to let the interviewee respond
Arranging the Interview.
Part of the skill of getting the best interview is also choosing the right participants and allowing them to express themselves. Not every subject taking part in an interview is a seasoned media professional or even wants to be interviewed, so setting up the interview requires careful planning. There are obviously many varied and differing kinds of interview situation but whatever the subject, there should be a certain amount of initial preparation. The interviewer will:
- Have a firm idea of the reason for the interview
- Ensure the subject is articulate and able to express themselves
- Choose the subject, and although they may not be an acknowledged expert, may offer an alternative viewpoint
- Ask open ended questions, and have a pre-prepared list of questions and possible follow up questions to hand
- Ensures the conversation follows a logical path, and keeps proceedings simple and direct leading to a recognised conclusion.
See also 'Recording interviews outside the studio.'
Although interview styles vary widely, it’s the responsibility of the interviewer to create a climate where the person being interviewed, or engaged in conversation is able fully to take part and doesn’t feel intimidated, controlled or cajoled into only what the interviewer wants. They have some say, an equal role being the main interest for the listener. A good interviewer never forgets this fact.
 |
