Thread by @paulbradshaw

You want 35 tips on interviewing for journalists? Here goes... THREAD. 🧵
#bcujournos

1/ "For the first question, ask a gentle, wise question as it allows them to collect their thoughts and get ready to answer," says @PardeepKalirai #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai 2/ "Stand out from other journalists - don't ask the same questions as it can bore the interviewee" #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai 3/ Spend as much time as you can to research, prepare and plan the interview — @PardeepKalirai
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@PardeepKalirai 4/ When interviewing, make sure to dress suitably to suit the occasion and publication you represent, says @PardeepKalirai
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@PardeepKalirai 5/ Best tip so far from @PardeepKalirai: if you can't get an interview, put yourself in the target's shoes and imagine what could persuade them to do the interview
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@PardeepKalirai 6/ Next up with interviewing tips is @tom_keens: "A shift in posture is significant and worth taking note of, especially when the interviewee is leaning forward and talking freely..."
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens 7/ "...If they lean back and fold their arms something that's been said has caused this defensive change of mood" #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens 8/ "Feet are the hardest body part to control. If they start to tap or twitch, then the interviewee is uncomfortable" — @tom_keens #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens 9/ Lean towards the interviewee and they'll talk more, says @tom_keens
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens 10/ "Pauses before delivering an answer can be an indicator of lying" — @tom_keens #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens 11/ The last of @tom_keens's 5 interviewing tips is: "If it's not someone you're going to interview regularly, you can afford to annoy them, provoking some good quotes"

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens 12/ The next 5 tips are from @harrygfc — first tip: If a deadline is immediate, the quotes should be written directly from the notes you took #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc 13/ "If there are gaps in the interview, go back and contact your interviewee" says @harrygfc
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc 14/ Re-read your notes and check for any gaps that need to be filled, adds @harrygfc
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc 15/ "Make sure quotes are not libellous," is another tip from @harrygfc (or at least, if they are defamatory, make sure you can prove them to be true or draw on another legal defence)
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc 16/ Final tip from @harrygfc: "If the deadline is later, you can go back and type up your quotes with more context" #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc 17/ Moving on to tips for interviewing for the internet, via @adamb__6: Use the 'sandwich technique': ask a nice question prior to a nasty question
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 18/ "Avoid doing Q&As," is the next tip from @adamb__6 They can be considered lazy journalism. Ensure there is sufficient "colour and essence" #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 19/ Focus on producing short, snappier interview content online, says @adamb__6 — and consider producing short clips before you publish the full thing
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 20/ Publishing an audio recording is often more useful for online interviews, says @adamb__6, as it avoids the cleaning task of writing an interview up (but it may not be as effective in terms of SEO)
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 21/ Ensure that an interview remains a dialogue, says @adamb__6 (no relation), and not just one person talking or asking questions. Let the interview flow. #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 22/ Next tips on interviewing from @paramgarcha_: "Have a restrained approach and don't attack the interviewee if they are lying"
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ 23/ Perception is important when it comes to interviewing, says @paramgarcha_ "Have a positive image of yourself." #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ 24/ It's important to find out what's going on in your area, says @paramgarcha_: who's the largest local employer? What are the local concerns? #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ 25/ 🤝"Establish a good relationship with your contacts," adds @paramgarcha_, "as it will allow them to trust you more"
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ 26/ "A sympathetic, understanding response often produces a better result than direct questioning" — @paramgarcha_
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ 27/ Now some tips from @joeavfc99 on celeb interviews: when making the initial approach "consider the way you come across. You want to present yourself and your publication in as favourable a way as possible"
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ @joeavfc99 28/ "The good interviewer is faceless, egoless and devoid of personality" — Sally Adams, Interviewing for Journalists (2009) via @joeavfc99 #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ @joeavfc99 29/ Find a definitive interviewing style, says @joeavfc99. For example, some journalists will pose longer and more heavily constructed questions in order to try to draw deeper answers #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ @joeavfc99 30/ Engage with the subject - "elements such as eye contact and smiling will form a deeper connection with your interviewee" — Sally Adams, Interviewing for Journalists (2009) via @joeavfc99
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@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ @joeavfc99 31/ @joeavfc99's last tip on interviewing is: "Preparation builds a connection with the subject. It shows you've given them the respect of doing research into them beforehand" #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ @joeavfc99 32/ The final group of interviewing tips come from @lukew_powell on law and ethics: keep any recordings and notes for 1 year after the story is published #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ @joeavfc99 @lukew_powell 33/ Check the cuttings on what you're told in the interview. Check the content with the interviewee — @lukew_powell #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ @joeavfc99 @lukew_powell 34/ "To reduce your chances of being sued, or improve your chances of winning in court, persuade your interviewee to make a signed statement confirming what they say" — Sally Adams, Interviewing for Journalists via @lukew_powell #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ @joeavfc99 @lukew_powell 35/ "Follow the NUJ and [IPSO] codes of conduct and practice which list what journalists should be doing in interviews," suggests @lukew_powell #bcujournos

@PardeepKalirai @tom_keens @harrygfc @adamb__6 @paramgarcha_ @joeavfc99 @lukew_powell All these tips are taken from the excellent Interviewing for Journalists — each @BCUJournalism student was tasked with identifying 5 tips from each chapter routledge.com/Interviewing-f… #bcujournos