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Do You Record Interviews?

By Michael Stelzner

“Wait, can you repeat that?”

Do these words sound familiar?

Believe it or not, I do not ever record interviews.

However, my friend Jonathan Kantor over at The White Paper Pundit DOES and discusses the value of digital voice recorders.

Jonathan explains:

A digital voice recorder is essential in capturing a content interview conducted with a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the phone. This is especially true with highly technical white papers where details can make or break a good white paper. The ability to go back and listen to a content interview a second time, often uncovers essential details that are often missed the first time around. I have often re-played these sessions several times to ensure that I’m on track with the goals and details of a technical white paper project, and uncovered key points missed when I conducted the live interview.

Do you record interviews?

If so, what system do you have in place?

Please share details with us…

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 at 5:18 am and is filed under Writing White Papers. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

  • I do quite a lot of interviews and i must say i always record them. I just use a standard voice recorder, i just press the REC button and leave it on the table.

    Also, I've learned that a good journalist should take notes. Notes on paper that is, and not on a laptop or something. I believe this thing makes the interview more real, as a journalist is still seen as that moony dude with a pen behind his year and a jotter in his pocket. Also, people tend to get curios about what you're writing and become more communicative somehow.

    Of course, every interview is different. The way you, as the interviewer, approach your "targets" depends from case to case. But recording the conversation is always a good thing to do, as you might spot some things you didn't noticed during the live discussion by just listening to the recording later on...
  • Rick H
    For simple, brief interviews, headphones and typing notes on a keyboard usually suffices.

    For longer interviews on technical subjects (especially unfamiliar topics), I use a digital recorder and with external microphone that plugs into my ear and then upload the audio file to a PC. While some people use transcription services, I find benefits in transcribing myself. It's pure drudgery, of course, but the process also gives me a much better understanding and command of the information. A foot pedal plugged into the PC reduces the drudgery a little bit.

    Equipment:
    Olympus VN-3100PC Digital Voice Recorder

    Express Scribe Transcription Software (free) & VEC Foot Pedal ($80) (http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/)
  • yes i do, sometimes i download interviews from the internet.
  • When interviewing from my office, I use Skype, which records digitally. In person, I have an Olympus VN2100PC Digital Voice Recorder that creates MP3 files. I can then download it to my laptop very easy. It creates a different folder for each interview, or segment of an interview (if I stop the recorder in an interview). I can connect it to a small mic or use an earpiece with it as well. It's about the size of an MP3 player, which is really handy.

    Most of my interviews are with filmmakers, so they're not as technical as when writing white papers. But I've found when I'm recording it and not trying to write notes or type them out on the computer during the interview, I'm much more focused on the person, and more apt to pick up on little comments that might change the direction of my questions. I believe it keeps ME more engaged in the interview, and I think that translates to a better interview, because the person being interviewed can sense that.
  • Terri, Michael and Tai - Thanks for your responses! - Mike
  • I use an old(ish) Olympus voice recorder in the field. It's pretty low-tech by today's standards, but it's taken a bit of punishment and proven itself to be utterly reliable. I especially like the fact that unlike some of the newer solutions it takes standard (AAA) batteries, so I always have backup batteries on hand. Michael's recorded call line is new to me though - I'll definitely check that out for phone interviews.
  • In the field, I used to use a Tascam DAT recorder. Now I do nearly everything from home. I use a combination of Skype, voice dictation software, and / or recorded call lines.

    The recorded call line is a toll-free phone number I purchased that forwards to my phone and records the call to MP3 (which I get later in e-mail).

    Whether I interview using Skype or the toll-free number, I'll often turn on my voice dictation software so at least my half of the interview is mostly already available in text. Saves time for those putting out fresh content daily.
  • Terri Rylander
    I also use a digital voice recorder. I have a nice panasonic with an earpiece that lets you both hear the conversation and record at the same time.

    Like Jonathan, it helps me with the fast talkers or allows me to re-listen to see if I can pick up on things I may have missed while taking notes. It gives me a chance to review not only what they said, but how they said it.
  • I have a Sony Digital Recorder that uses a Memory Stick which can hold up to eight hours of recorded material.

    The recorder comes with editing software that can be used for playback and to do things such as speed up or slow down playback. That comes in handy with fast talkers! The software can also convert the proprietary format of the recording into other formats such as WAV or MP3.

    I have a memory stick reader on my computer that I use to upload the files and back them up.

    Jonathan
  • So Jonathan;

    What technology specifically do you use to record your interviews?

    Mike
  • Mike,

    It's been said that there are three types of learners: Visual (that must see things such as notes and illustrations), audio (that must hear things), and feelings based (that go on their gut intuition).

    I'm most definitely an audio learner, therefore I need to hear things to comprehend them. You may be a visual learner that uses notes to write your papers.

    Both are equally valid. The proof, as they say, "is in the pudding".

    Thanks for the reference,

    Jonathan
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