How to Prepare for a Newspaper Interview

When a reporter does an interview for a newspaper, his approach may seem flawless. He asks all the right questions and seems to keep the conversation flowing smoothly. However, before a reporter conducts an interview, he does his homework. From researching the person's background to reading archived articles, how a reporter prepares for a newspaper interview may surprise you! If you're simply interested in the world of journalism or are honing your interview skills, this article is for you!

Instructions

1. Call and set up the interview. Schedule a mutually agreeable time to meet and conduct the interview. Choose a location that gives the story some background information. At the interviewee's office, place of business or out in the field where she does what she does will give you more information than having her meet you at the newspaper office.

2. Search the newspaper's library for previous articles written about the person being interviewed. Read the articles and get some background information on his involvement with the community. Look at pictures that accompany the article so you can easily identify him at gatherings or events.

3. Do an Internet search for current information on the interviewee. Has she done something recently that you should question in the interview? Did she win an award or change job positions? Be up-to-date on her recent developments, so you can use them as a conversation starter and gain credibility with the interviewee. Always double check any facts that you have found from sources other than the interviewee.

4. Read competing newspapers for coverage of the same person you will be interviewing. Did they recently conduct an interview with that person? What did they ask, and how can you ask better, more informative questions? What topics did they miss that you can ask about?

5. Ask colleagues if they have ever interviewed this person before. Ask for tips on how to relate to the person and how his previous interviews went. If the interviewee has been on TV recently, take note of what he was discussing, so you are current with his issues.

6. Prepare your tools. Check your voice recorder for full batteries. Pack pencils, pens and a notebook. If the interview is conducted outdoors during cold weather, your pen may not work. Keep a pencil handy. Check a map before leaving for an unfamiliar location. Take the address, name and phone number of your interview appointment with you.