Comments on: Conducting Interviews? ASK MIKE http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/ Everything about writing and marketing white papers Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:08:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25228 Michael Stelzner Fri, 13 Jul 2007 12:03:58 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25228 For the record everyone, Arvind (a client) actually asked me to email him questions. Against the grain for me, but I want to make my clients happy. For the record everyone, Arvind (a client) actually asked me to email him questions. Against the grain for me, but I want to make my clients happy.

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25227 Michael Stelzner Fri, 13 Jul 2007 12:02:36 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25227 Hi Arvind; Thanks!! :) Mike Hi Arvind;

Thanks!! :)

Mike

]]> By: Arvind Pawar http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25192 Arvind Pawar Fri, 13 Jul 2007 04:11:25 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25192 Hey Mike, great blog.. and now i know who is interviewing me for the mobile article. You simply rock.. Arvind. Hey Mike, great blog.. and now i know who is interviewing me for the mobile article.

You simply rock..

Arvind.

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25061 Michael Stelzner Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:49:11 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25061 Hi Kim; Thanks for stopping in! Maybe I need to consider FreeConferenceCalls. Are the really free?? Mike Hi Kim;

Thanks for stopping in!

Maybe I need to consider FreeConferenceCalls.

Are the really free??

Mike

]]> By: Kim Stacey http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25059 Kim Stacey Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:31:06 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25059 Well, I loved the dialogue around this issue. Certainly, with copywriting clients, I found that interviewing them on what it is they are looking for - the project parameters, deadlines and expectations - is a central part of the co-creative process. I've used freeconferencecalls.com to record the conversations, and then use the recording to write the Project Proposal. This process has worked well in the past. I also use their service to record interviews for the many ebooks I write for clients. It saves me time, and allows me to relax "into" the interview - I know that I don't have to do anything else but be "present", and 100% attentive. And, Mike, I agree with you whole-heartedly about the value of reaching into someone else's mind to provide substance and depth to any topic! Not only that, it makes it more fun for the writer - and more "fun" means better writing. Well, I loved the dialogue around this issue. Certainly, with copywriting clients, I found that interviewing them on what it is they are looking for - the project parameters, deadlines and expectations - is a central part of the co-creative process. I’ve used freeconferencecalls.com to record the conversations, and then use the recording to write the Project Proposal. This process has worked well in the past.

I also use their service to record interviews for the many ebooks I write for clients. It saves me time, and allows me to relax “into” the interview - I know that I don’t have to do anything else but be “present”, and 100% attentive.

And, Mike, I agree with you whole-heartedly about the value of reaching into someone else’s mind to provide substance and depth to any topic! Not only that, it makes it more fun for the writer - and more “fun” means better writing.

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25025 Michael Stelzner Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:05:04 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25025 Hi Elizabeth; I like to do face-to-face interviews, however it is just not an option most of the time for me because my clients are not local. Thanks for stopping by! Mike Hi Elizabeth;

I like to do face-to-face interviews, however it is just not an option most of the time for me because my clients are not local.

Thanks for stopping by!

Mike

]]> By: Elizabeth M. Johnson http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25020 Elizabeth M. Johnson Wed, 11 Jul 2007 15:08:51 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25020 I actually like to interview in person, whenever logistically possible. My subjects are always women and I have found that I get the richest information when the subject feels a personal connection with me. In order to feel comfortable disclosing intimate details of their life, a connection is really key. So, my feeling is that the subject of the interview must be a key element of how the interview is conducted. Oh- and I take notes but also use a Sony ICD-P320 recorded in order to get their words exactly right. I actually like to interview in person, whenever logistically possible. My subjects are always women and I have found that I get the richest information when the subject feels a personal connection with me. In order to feel comfortable disclosing intimate details of their life, a connection is really key. So, my feeling is that the subject of the interview must be a key element of how the interview is conducted.

Oh- and I take notes but also use a Sony ICD-P320 recorded in order to get their words exactly right.

]]> By: Maria Doyle http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25015 Maria Doyle Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:31:04 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25015 Yes, and yes, they are downloadable. I use The Network Connection for transcriptions. Yes, and yes, they are downloadable.

I use The Network Connection for transcriptions.

]]> By: Michael Stelzner http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25014 Michael Stelzner Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:26:21 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25014 Hi Maria; Thanks for your message. FreeConference charges about $16 an hour to record a call, is that correct? Do you know if that can be downloaded? Who do you use for transcripts? All my best! Mike Hi Maria;

Thanks for your message.

FreeConference charges about $16 an hour to record a call, is that correct?

Do you know if that can be downloaded?

Who do you use for transcripts?

All my best!

Mike

]]> By: Maria Doyle http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25013 Maria Doyle Wed, 11 Jul 2007 13:19:28 +0000 http://www.writingwhitepapers.com/blog/2007/07/10/the-interview/#comment-25013 I have been using FreeConference.com to record the calls when I interview people. The recordings generally run about $8 for 30 min. This way I can go back and check if I've missed something. Even better, I have started having the recordings transcribed. This is done professionally (FreeConference can send a recommendation, I use the Network Connection.). For under $100, I have a whole transcript of the call & can pull out quotes or other information I need. I have been told that you can use the free Microsoft speech tools, or software like Dragon Naturally speaking to transcribe, but I have not tried this yet. I have been using FreeConference.com to record the calls when I interview people. The recordings generally run about $8 for 30 min. This way I can go back and check if I’ve missed something.

Even better, I have started having the recordings transcribed. This is done professionally (FreeConference can send a recommendation, I use the Network Connection.). For under $100, I have a whole transcript of the call & can pull out quotes or other information I need. I have been told that you can use the free Microsoft speech tools, or software like Dragon Naturally speaking to transcribe, but I have not tried this yet.

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