Rules for Interviews
1. If possible, contact the person you are interviewing, explain who you are and what you are doing, and make an appointment. Avoid situations where the interviewee feels "ambushed."
2. Do as much research as you can before going to the interview. At least Google the person to be interviewed.
3. Write out your key questions in advance, and write them on the inside of your notebook cover where you can find and refer to them easily. Write open-ended questions; avoid questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no" (unless that's what you want).
4.. Identify yourself and explain what you are doing, even if you have already. Try to put the person as ease and establish rapport. Observe the source and surroundings. Sometimes the way a person is dressed, or little details (like the fact that he has a ring in his tongue) can add interesting touches. Similarly, the things he or she has on the desk or wall may be interesting. In short, be alert. Bolivia needs more lerts.
5.. Don't waste the interviewee's time. Get what you need and get out. (However, don't be afraid of allowing a moment of silence, or pause, in the conversation. People hate pauses in a conversation and will often do anything to fill them, sometimes telling you interesting stuff you wouldn't otherwise have gotten.) In any event, give your source time to respond, and don't interrupt.
6. Sometimes -- though not always -- saying something that shows you kn ow a fair amount about the subject being discussed, will loosen up your source. People like to talk about things when they know the reporter understands what they are talking about. On the other hand, there are times when it is better to "play dumb" and pretend to be clueless. Invite the source to "explain" things for you. It depends on the situation. Interviewing is an art, not a science.
7. Make sure you understand, ultimately, what the source told you. Otherwise you won't be able to explain it to the reader.
8. Sometimes (as we get to more complicated and sophisticated topics) a source will ask you to go "off the record," usually meaning that you can use the information but not attribute it to the source. Sometimes the source means the you shouldn't use it at all, and is only telling you to help you "understand" the situation. You should try to avoid those situations, but, if you get into one because there seems to be no other choice, try to "bargain" to get as much "on the record" as you can. In any event, do not leave the interview unless you have a clear understanding of what the deal is, and keep any promise you make. In the US failing to keep a promise can open you to a "breach of contract" lawsuit, as well as a libel lawsuit.
