Prospecting

April 29, 2002

As we continue to examine the elements of good interviewing

techniques, this week we examine what it is you want to get

your subject to say.

On one hand, you need to speculate a bit as to where your

subject will go to begin to construct your interview. At

the same time, you have to prepare for your guest going in

an entirely unexpected direction - that is the great

pleasure of journalism in general, and interviewing in

particular.

Nonetheless, the key idea here is that among all the

research you do, and the questions you prepare, it is not

what YOU discover about your subject that is important, it

is WHAT AMONG THE RESEARCH YOU HAVE DONE WILL YOUR LISTENERS

OR VIEWERS FIND COMPELLING. In other words, don’t fall in

love with your questions. Think of what will be engaging

for your audience.

For example, you may already know that your subject began

cooking at age 12 as a way to supplement her income, before

becomeing a rock and roll star. But your audience doesn’t

know that. So in a sense, your questions is a bit

disingeneous, since you already know why and when your

subject starting cooking. But your audience doesn’t know

that, and your questions needs to be as fresh for listeners

as it was for you when you found this fact out.

To repeat, it’s not important what you discover, but rather

what your audience will find interesting that you must

explore.

Next week, preparation! Until then, relax and breathe

deeply.