by Robert Kleine
Having trouble coming up with product ideas? Did you An interview is the easiest way to create a new product There are generally three ways to conduct an interview: In person (face-to-face interview) In this article I will be focusing on the "telephone" Many beginners find interviewing a daunting experience and Beginners Tip: To overcome your nervousness practice, and Below you will find a few tips for when the day arrives and Tools you will need: Cassette Recorder Online Seminar Service (with recording Background Research: Do your homework on the person before doing the interview. This could involve search engines, the library, and the Having some background knowledge will give you greater Interviews can be 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour or over When you make a time for the interview propose to take at Suggest to the person you are interviewing that they find Preparing Questions: Rule #1 Don't ask stupid questions... ask questions based items of interest brought up during the interview. Prepare your list of questions in advance jotting down the Listen carefully and establish a relaxed style of Allow the questions to flow according to the context, memory or fill a long pause in the conversation. Be open to new questions and new points raised during the sidelines as they come up. Don't worry about ending up with more information than you If you are planning to use a cassette recorder, make sure Always ask permission to record BEFORE the interview interview. Few people object to being recorded but if they Using a recording device helps establish an easy-going There are very inexpensive cassette recorders that will Be careful when recording that you don't lose concentration Listen carefully to what is being said and be sure to If you don't understand an answer ask your interviewee to If a person is evasive to a question or doesn't give an way and at another point in your interview. If someone gives "off the record information" turn the privacy. Always guide the interview process, but don't dominate it. subject at hand, then quickly guide them back. Always keep the recording on file in case someone should If the interview is likely to be in any way contentious the at least a year or two. Using photographs of the interviewee: There are times when you may want to use a photograph of a working on. Photos of the person being interviewed make writing a sales page for the Internet) much more personal. TIP: If you use photographs, always get a signed agreement form. There have been cases when a person's photo has been consent and the person has sued for modeling fees, invasion reasons. Note: For a variety of personal reasons some people may not
know that there is a product that you can create in as
little as one afternoon?
for you to sell online or off. By far! Let's talk about it.
By telephone
By email
interview.
avoid doing interviews even when it could benefit a project
they're working on or be a new product in itself.
then practice some more, on your family and friends before
ever requesting your first "phone" interview.
you need to conduct THE INTERVIEW ...
capability) Notebook and Pen
who's who directory etc.
self-confidence and will help you to ask more interesting
questions
the course of a month or more depending on the subject and
the focus of the interview.
least 30 to 45 minutes.
the most comfortable place in their home or office to do
the interview. Being comfortable and in their own
environment will put them at ease and make the interview
process much simpler.
on the research you performed and on
questions and points you want to ask in brief heading form
(they should be used only as a point of reference during
the interview).
questioning.
glancing at your list to refresh your
interview. Flexibility in your interviewing style will
allow you to pursue interesting or relevant
expected. If it's valuable information it will only make
your audio product more valuable.
you check the batteries, cassette tape and volume BEFORE
you begin the interview.
starts, and then get started on the
do, just use your notebook.
communication between you and the person you are
interviewing as you are not constantly having to check your
notes.
hook directly up to your telephone and create a very good
quality sound. There are also services on the Internet that
will record the interview digitally which will save you
time and expense in the end.
as this will "deaden" an interview.
understand the answers to your questions.
clarify their answer.
answer, ask the question in a different
recorder off. Respect their right of
If the person strays too far from the
ever claim they have been misquoted.
recording should remain in your file for
person for the project you are
your sales page (if you are planning on
before using them and as a safeguard for yourself have them
sign a Model Release Consent
used without his/her prior
of privacy, or for various other
want their picture to be used on
the Internet. Always respect their request if this is the Ask open-ended questions: Asking open-ended questions instead of ones that invite a These questions usually begin with who, what, when, where Example: "When did you get into writing?" "what made you This type of questioning sets the framework of the Write up any information within hours of the interview if As a courtesy, offer to send the person you have just To learn ALL the secrets of doing successful telephone About the Author
About the Author: Robert Kleine has been marketing online
case.
yes or no answer will give more interesting responses.
and how, and cannot be answered with a straight yes or no.
decide on this particular area of writing"? etc.
interview and is a useful tool when digging for significant
information. (also you will have plenty of useable material
at the end of the interview).
possible or at least within a day or so. You want to have
the interview fresh in your mind.
interviewed a copy of your article or the url to your web
site and send them a free copy of your finished ebook or
recording.
interviews and profiting from them click on the link below
and get yourself a copy of "Other People's Info". You won't
regret it and you have absolutely nothing to lose. It's
guaranteed! http://www.nichexplosion.com
for over 5 years and is owner and webmaster of
NichExplosion http://www.nichexplosion.com