Tip: Getting the most out of interviewing experts

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Journalism centres round information. Journalists frequently rely on experts for insight into a particular story. However, there are many small details around these journalist-interviewee interactions that are often overlooked.

This may lead someone who is unfamiliar with interacting with the press, into feeling less than impressed by the experience. A very common complaint is that "'journalists already know the story they want to write, they’re just asking us to fill in the gaps'." This may not necessarily be true, but that is often the conclusion our interviewees arrive at," writes Damian Radcliffe for IJNet, the online journalism news site published by the International Centre for Journalists.

He gives some useful tips on how to get the most out of these interviews and leave a good impression. It is important to prepare for your interview. This not only means knowing who the interviewee is, but also looking at recent work and posts on social media.

He also points out that it is important to be clear with your intentions. You need "to pitch [to] the interviewee just as much as you do the editor." This includes how much of your conversation may be used and the parameters of the programme. Remember each interview is a networking opportunity, so ask if they can suggest other contributors or what they would like to see get news coverage. Read the full article here

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