Making That Interview Happen

Will most people talk to freelance writers who don’t have a publisher or an agent? I wasn’t sure when I started to research and write my narrative nonfiction book. And I had a nagging feeling that some wouldn’t agree to an interview when they learned that I didn’t have either. Unlike most nonfiction writers who secure a book contract before they start writing, I wanted to write first to make sure that my story idea warranted a book. That meant that I needed to gamble that most people would talk. While I didn’t need to interview celebrities or high-profile individuals such as Robert Redford or Bill Gates, I’d be asking busy people from all walks of life to spend their valuable time answering my questions.

To compensate for my lack of a publisher, I modified my interview-getting strategy from my days as a newspaper reporter and employed attorney. I prepared more and thought about questions that I might be asked.

Here’s an approach that worked about ninety-five percent of the time:

• Identify yourself as a freelance writer, what you are writing (a book or article) and your subject matter.
• Realize that even good preparation will net most but not all interviews. Understand that some people just don’t want to be interviewed; period. Then move on.
• Carefully select your potential interviewees. Why do you want to interview them? What information might they have? How will their information advance your story?
• Outline your questions/subject areas for each potential interviewee but recognize that you may veer off that list while listening to responses to questions.

If you have a telephone number and an e-mail address for an individual, consider which may be the best contact method. I usually called which gave me a chance to convince the seemingly reluctant person to talk. When I didn’t receive a reply e-mail, I wondered if the individual really received it or had just hit the delete button. Telephoning eliminated that speculation. I also thought most people find it easier to ignore an e-mail than to say that they don’t want to be interviewed.

“Why do you want to talk to me?” is a typical first question of an interviewee. So if you haven’t explained the why in your introduction, be prepared to answer that question.

Before you ask for an interview, think through the answers to these questions that your potential interviewee may ask:

• Why are you writing this book?
• How did you come upon the idea for the book?

When answering either question, consider explaining why you think your book is important. Perhaps your book will expose inept government operations or will provide educational information on a specific subject. Did someone or something inspire you to write your book? The ability to articulate answers to these questions just may help convince your potential interviewee that you are serious about your research and writing. It also may help them understand why you need their help and make them more willing to share information with you.

Be prepared to explain how you learned of their name and obtained contact information. Answer in a straightforward and honest manner. If they mention someone who has additional information, request permission to use their name as a referral when you contact the other person.

Keep the doors of communication open. Ask permission to recontact them if you later realize that you’ve forgotten to ask a question. Follow up with a thank you e-mail.

Did a lack of a publisher and agent impede my research? No! In fact, I was asked only once or twice if I had a publisher. Each time the question came up near the end of the interview. Good luck with your interviews!