Comments on: A ‘Quick’ Tip on Landing an Interview for Your Blog

By: Nicole

Nicole — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 19:17:21 +0000

I would definitely recommend WetFeet’s series on interviewing, finding a job, resume writing, etc. Right now they are selling a package that includes an interviewing tutorial video, and it’s only $79. All of the books are really useful for recent grads or people graduating soon, but can be just as useful 10 years later.
Link: http://shop.wetfeet.com/promo/gradpack.aspx

By: tips

tips — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:59:13 +0000

This is great, look forward to looking into every area. Thanks for being there.

By: Nate Moller

Nate Moller — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:14:14 +0000

I’ve been interviewing quite a bit lately too and keep my questions to 5 that I send via email prior to the interview. I had the chance recently to interview Muhammad Saleem, the “Social Media Maven”. It was a great interview (I felt) and it took about 15 minutes or so.

Another thing I’ve used to get bloggers to interview is ask them specific things that they can softly “promote”. Ask them questions that will allow them to shine and tell people why they are the industry leader. Although some may not admit it, we all like to talk ourselves up.

Thanks for the tips. I hope to interview you soon too :)

By: Kathie Thomas, A Clayton's Secretary

Kathie Thomas, A Clayton's Secretary — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 13:20:09 +0000

Great, now I just have to wait for someone to interview me!

By: David Herbert

David Herbert — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:29:57 +0000

This helpful since I interview PC modding communities almost every week

By: Lewis Howes

Lewis Howes — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:56:58 +0000

Hi Darren,

I can understand the time it takes to respond to a 18 question blog, but that is how I originally found your site from the interview you had with Guy Kawasaki. So that you for taking the time to respond!

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:38:57 +0000

I’ve had the experience of being approached for an interview (by a traditional reporter) who is marginally rude, and doesn’t even seem that interested in the information itself – it’s more about meeting a deadline or filling an editorial gap.

Needless to say, I’ve been turned off.

Respect for the interviewee, especially in the context of blog interviews, is paramount, in my book.

By: Marty Weil

Marty Weil — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 13:52:05 +0000

Interviews with collectors, historians, authors, and artists are a big component of my blog. As such, I regularly approach a lot of very busy people for interviews.

My success rate is about 80 percent. I owe this to keeping the interview short. I limit my interviews to 4 to 6 question. Of the more than 50 interviews I’ve conducted, I’ve never exceeded 6 questions. I credit my methods for never having been turned down by an interview subject for having too many questions or making the process too difficult.

And the results have been spectacular. The interviews have become one of my most popular features, and have introduced me to some fascinating people from around the world.

By: matt feldman

matt feldman — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 12:54:48 +0000

Interviews are the most read section of my blog, I get people looking at interviews I did more then a year ago. I just e-mail people questions and they e-mail me back the answers. This gives them more time to think about the answers and prevents me from misquoting them.

By: Noobpreneur

Noobpreneur — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:20:35 +0000

Darren,

Spot on. I just preparing a list of question to interview, well not really a blogger, but one of the authorities in web directories.

Great tip, I’ll keep in mind on how many questions I’ll ask, as promised :)

Thanks, Darren!

By: Gillian

Gillian — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 04:53:29 +0000

Hi there…

I have a general list of 10-15 questions. Inevitably, some interviewees take half an hour to interview, and others take 3 hours! There’s no rhyme or reason for it. It just is.

I have had No success doing an interview-by-email, and mild success doing phone ones. The best is always in-person. If you must travel then–with the appropriate letter–you can get an airline or bus company to sponsor you.

Cheers.

By: Bibokz

Bibokz — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:03:27 +0000

Always be concise if you are interviewing somebody, ask important question only.. 7 or 10 for me is the best number of question you can give.

By: Callum

Callum — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:02:24 +0000

What about doing phone interviews (can be very cheap by Skype / VoIP / etc) and then posting them both in audio and transcribed with added links, etc?

By: SusanAtLifeskate

SusanAtLifeskate — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:44:21 +0000

I do interview style posts on my blog called “Catching up with…” where I let readers catch up on their favorite figure skaters from the past. I offer them the choice of answering 10 questions via e-mail or chatting with me on the phone for about 20 minutes. It’s been 50/50 which way they choose. If I talk to them on the phone, I make sure it’s at most 20 minutes. If they’re answering questions via e-mail, I mix it up with short response-type questions (ie. favorite movie?) and questions that require a few sentences (ie. What is your most memorable competition moment and why?) So far, it’s worked out pretty well!

By: The Masked Millionaire

The Masked Millionaire — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:37:39 +0000

Perfectly timed post for me. I had been thinking that I start asking people to do interviews. Now I have a starting point.

Thanks…

Live From Las Vegas
The Masked Millionaire

By: Affiliate Spot

Affiliate Spot — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:16:26 +0000

I can imagine just being emailed a huge amount of interview questions does not engage the interviewee, it makes the interview seem too much like work.

By: Jessica Bond

Jessica Bond — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 23:14:17 +0000

One question interview is a great concept. It could be used when you just want to get to know anyone. People feel uncomfortable when they are given the “20 questions.” Well crafted, open ended questions will allow the person to expand and volunteer information.

Jessica Bond
Medical Careerist

By: Luke Harvey-Palmer

Luke Harvey-Palmer — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:33:40 +0000

Hey Darren, thanks for the simple straightforward advice. I saw a link to this post from Dan Schawbel on Twitter…and it caught my attention, as I have just finished a few interviews with authors etc…so nice timing, and good advice! Cheers

By: Aaronontheweb

Aaronontheweb — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:30:39 +0000

All good advice – I bumrushed a few of my interview targets with 15-question interviews before; never heard back from them. I learned my lesson and I now try to frame my interview requests properly.

By: Stephanie Quilao

Stephanie Quilao — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:07:03 +0000

Equally important too is that readers don’t want to read 20 question long interviews either.