At InceptionFM Radio, we're excited to offer our radio hosts the opportunity to have their interviews transformed into engaging articles for our partner publications: The Immigrant’s Journal, Caribbean American Weekly, Workers’ World Today, and New Black Voices. These articles will extend the reach of your content and ensure that your conversations resonate with a wider audience. To make this process as smooth and successful as possible, here are some guidelines for conducting interviews that will translate well into written form.
1. Plan Ahead: Set a Clear Objective
Before you begin the interview, think about what key points you want to highlight and what story you want to tell. Is the focus on personal experiences, a community issue, or a professional journey? Having a clear objective will guide the conversation and ensure that the material is cohesive and focused.
2. Ask Open-Ended Questions
Keep your questions open-ended to allow the interviewee to provide detailed and thoughtful answers. Instead of asking "Yes" or "No" questions, try phrasing questions like:
•“Can you share more about…?”
•“What inspired you to…?”
•“How did you feel when…?” This approach encourages richer responses that will be more interesting and informative for readers.
3. Encourage Storytelling
Great articles are often built on great stories. Encourage your guests to share personal anecdotes, experiences, and challenges. This adds a human element to the interview, making it relatable and engaging. If the interviewee is shy or reserved, gently prompt them to elaborate on their answers with questions like:
•“That sounds fascinating, can you go into more detail?”
•“What happened next?” These stories help breathe life into the article.
4. Maintain a Conversational Tone
While the written article will be polished, it's important to maintain a natural, conversational tone during the interview. This will make the article feel accessible and authentic to readers. Avoid overly formal or stiff language and aim for an easy-flowing dialogue.
5. Be Mindful of Length
While we want to capture the full essence of the interview, keep in mind that overly lengthy answers can make the conversion process difficult. Try to guide your guest to be concise when necessary, without losing the depth of their response. If the interview goes long, you can always focus on key points for the article.
6. Get Permission for Direct Quotes
If you plan to use direct quotes, make sure the interviewee knows and agrees to it. A direct quote can be powerful in an article, so encourage your guest to speak clearly and thoughtfully when responding. Let them know that you may pull standout quotes from their answers.
7. Check for Clarity and Accuracy
Before wrapping up the interview, clarify any points that may need elaboration or if something was unclear. Accuracy is crucial, so don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions if you need additional details. This ensures the final article will be precise and well-informed.
8. End with a Closing Thought
End your interview with a closing question that allows the interviewee to leave a lasting thought or message for the audience. This could be an inspirational statement, a piece of advice, or a call to action.
Example Closing Question:
•“What is one thing you want readers to take away from this conversation?”
•“How can people get involved or support the cause you’re passionate about?”
9. Review the Interview
After the interview, quickly review your notes or recording to ensure you captured all the key points. This will help you guide the article-writing process and identify any sections that may need further elaboration.
By following these guidelines, your interview will have the potential to be transformed into an engaging and impactful article. These thoughtful steps will ensure that the conversation not only resonates on air but also has a lasting impact in print. Thank you for contributing to InceptionFM Radio, and we look forward to seeing your interviews in our partner publications!
To make your interviews more engaging and visually compelling when converted into articles, ask your guests to provide photos that help tell their story. Visuals add depth to the written content, making it more relatable and engaging for the readers. Here’s how to make the process even smoother:
1. Request a Photo of Your Guest
Ask your guest to send a high-quality, professional photo of themselves. This image will accompany the article and provide a personal connection for readers. A well-chosen headshot or action shot that captures their personality or work can make the article more appealing. You can ask them to send a photo that reflects their brand, profession, or the theme of the interview.
2. Encourage Supporting Photos
If your guest is involved in community work, events, or any relevant activities, ask them to provide supporting photos that align with the story. These could include:
•Action shots of them working or speaking at events
•Behind-the-scenes images that highlight their process
•Photos from key moments or milestones in their career or cause
These supporting visuals will help bring the article to life and give readers a more immersive experience.
3. Align Visuals with Key Themes
When collecting photos, encourage your guest to think about the main themes of the interview. For instance, if the conversation focuses on activism, ask for images from protests, community gatherings, or other relevant activities. If the focus is on personal achievements, a photo of them receiving an award or in a moment of success can help emphasize the key messages of the interview.
4. Include Captions for Context
Encourage your guest to provide short captions or descriptions for each image they send. This will help the editor place the images appropriately within the article and ensure readers understand the context behind each photo.
5. Photo Credits
Remember to request photo credits from your guest for each image they provide. Proper attribution is essential for publication, and it ensures that the source of the images is acknowledged. For example, if the guest is the photographer or the image is courtesy of a specific organization, make sure this information is included in the article.
Example:
•Photo by [Guest's Name] / [Organization Name]
•Image courtesy of [Guest's Name]
•Photography by [Guest's Name]
By gathering both personal and supporting images from your guest, and ensuring proper photo credits, you will not only enhance the written article but also make the story more dynamic and relatable. Remember, the goal is to create a compelling narrative that goes beyond words — visuals play a crucial role in creating that connection with the audience.
With the help of your guests, we can turn a great interview into a powerful and visually engaging article that will resonate with readers in our partner publications.