How do you approach someone for an interview

Eric Land · 10-09-2009, 01:33 PM

Hey,

I have started a new website in a niche i don't know that much
about. So I am looking for some great content to give to
my readers.

So I am looking to interview someone but I am not sure how to approach someone and ask them in the proper way so that i don't look like a scam or joke.

I would be willing to pay for the persons time but i feel that if i include that in the email they might think scam.

What about you do?

How would you approach them?

Thanks,

Eric

Brad Gosse · 10-09-2009, 03:16 PM

These days bloggers get as much clout as anyone. I would just say I am looking to interview for a piece I am doing on your industry.

I would not mention pay

NightWriter · 10-11-2009, 12:13 PM

Hi!

I talk about this in my book, Writer's Fast Track to Cash (see link below), because it is something that baffles a lot of writers. You've got it easy if you're self-publishing on your blog.

You don't have to pay the person - you're offering them an opportunity at promotion on your site. That is payment whenever the person you are interviewing has something of their own to promote.

Simply, contact the person by e-mail or phone and tell them you'd like to interview them. Ask them when would be a good time. Unless they live nearby, you're going to have to do a phone interview. Pre-prepare your questions and make the call at to the person at the appropriate time.

There ya go.

Louise Evans · 10-11-2009, 12:22 PM

This might not apply to you because it's a new site, but something to consider for the future; the royalty book authors receive increases after 2000 copies have been sold - forums with 2000 or more members are very attractive to them.

mikemcmillan · 10-11-2009, 01:28 PM

I did two interview last week--both by Skype. They are a win-win situation. You can get to the big guys, especially if they have a product launch 4-6 weeks off. At that time they are interested in getting the word out about their product. DO NOT pay anyone for an interview. It makes no sense. Prepare questions ahead of time and perhaps give the questions in advance to the person being interviewed.

cage73 · 10-11-2009, 01:28 PM

I have done quite a few interviews with comic book professionals and the best method to obtaining an interview is to simply ask. In my case if they had a new book coming out I would point out that I'd like to discuss their book in the interview. 9/10 they would agree.

I wouldn't offer to pay them as you are doing them a service simply by providing them with additional exposure.

Louise Evans · 10-13-2009, 04:23 AM

Agreed, in many cases they need you more than you need them

Being interviewed by bloggers and webmasters gives authors etc a kind of cool underground kudos.

10-09-2009, 01:33 PM	#1
Eric Land Advanced Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: New York Posts: 833 Thanks: 13 Thanked 44 Times in 30 Posts Contact Info	How do you approach someone for an interview Hey, I have started a new website in a niche i don't know that much about. So I am looking for some great content to give to my readers. So I am looking to interview someone but I am not sure how to approach someone and ask them in the proper way so that i don't look like a scam or joke. I would be willing to pay for the persons time but i feel that if i include that in the email they might think scam. What about you do? How would you approach them? Thanks, Eric
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10-09-2009, 03:16 PM	#2
Brad Gosse Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Orangeville, Ontario Posts: 1,197 Thanks: 166 Thanked 163 Times in 106 Posts Social Networking	Re: How do you approach someone for an interview These days bloggers get as much clout as anyone. I would just say I am looking to interview for a piece I am doing on your industry. I would not mention pay
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10-11-2009, 12:13 PM	#3
NightWriter Active Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 57 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: How do you approach someone for an interview Hi! I talk about this in my book, Writer's Fast Track to Cash (see link below), because it is something that baffles a lot of writers. You've got it easy if you're self-publishing on your blog. You don't have to pay the person - you're offering them an opportunity at promotion on your site. That is payment whenever the person you are interviewing has something of their own to promote. Simply, contact the person by e-mail or phone and tell them you'd like to interview them. Ask them when would be a good time. Unless they live nearby, you're going to have to do a phone interview. Pre-prepare your questions and make the call at to the person at the appropriate time. There ya go.
	Writer's Fast Track - http://www.writersfasttrack.com

10-11-2009, 12:22 PM	#4
Louise Evans Marketing Since 2002 War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 351 Thanks: 104 Thanked 116 Times in 48 Posts	Re: How do you approach someone for an interview This might not apply to you because it's a new site, but something to consider for the future; the royalty book authors receive increases after 2000 copies have been sold - forums with 2000 or more members are very attractive to them.
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10-11-2009, 01:28 PM	#5
mikemcmillan Mike McMillan War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MI Posts: 471 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 122 Thanked 211 Times in 94 Posts Social Networking	Re: How do you approach someone for an interview I did two interview last week--both by Skype. They are a win-win situation. You can get to the big guys, especially if they have a product launch 4-6 weeks off. At that time they are interested in getting the word out about their product. DO NOT pay anyone for an interview. It makes no sense. Prepare questions ahead of time and perhaps give the questions in advance to the person being interviewed.
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10-11-2009, 01:28 PM	#6
cage73 Gary Rodrigue War Room Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Buckhannon,WV Posts: 62 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 14 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Social Networking	Re: How do you approach someone for an interview I have done quite a few interviews with comic book professionals and the best method to obtaining an interview is to simply ask. In my case if they had a new book coming out I would point out that I'd like to discuss their book in the interview. 9/10 they would agree. I wouldn't offer to pay them as you are doing them a service simply by providing them with additional exposure.
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10-13-2009, 04:23 AM	#7
Louise Evans Marketing Since 2002 War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 351 Thanks: 104 Thanked 116 Times in 48 Posts	Re: How do you approach someone for an interview Agreed, in many cases they need you more than you need them Being interviewed by bloggers and webmasters gives authors etc a kind of cool underground kudos.
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