The most successful interviews are scripted for logical flow. The more prepared you are, the more professional you appear, and the more confidence the person will have in your ability to use information properly.

     Respect the person’s time. Be realistic about the number of questions you can have answered in the time allowed. Move promptly through the details you want to cover.

     Instead of making small talk, start by reviewing the purpose of the interview. “As you know, we want to feature you in the company newsletter,” or “I need to understand some of the technical process for a marketing brochure we’re developing,” are examples of comments that get right to the point and remind the person of why you’re meeting.

     Begin with basic questions that should have easy answers. This relaxes both of you and moves the interview along.

     After you ask a difficult or challenging question, wait for the person to answer. Don’t become anxious by silence and then fill the gap with your own words. The last thing you want a subject to say is “Yes,” or “Exactly.” Let the person formulate an individual answer.

     If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification right away. Things could get even more complicated later, and if you wait too long before revealing that you don’t understand, the expert can quite rightly become annoyed. There’s nothing wrong with not understanding. There’s plenty wrong with pretending you do.

     If you run out of time before asking all your questions, acknowledge this. The subject may be able to give you a little more time, schedule another meeting with you, or reply to remaining questions by e-mail or telephone.

     Being clear, honest, professional and respectful of the person’s time and expertise will help you conduct interviews that provide valuable material that can add depth and significance to your writing.