8 Great Places to Find Interview Subjects
When I first began writing I used to dread interviewing anecdotal and expert sources. Not because I didn’t like the interview process, but because I had no idea where to find interview subjects. Fortunately now I know both the Internet and real world provide plenty of sources for your interview. Most experts are happy to trade an interview if it means publicity and it’s very rare to receive a "no thank you" from an interview request. Where does one find interview subjects? There are a few places you can look:
- Profnet - Profnet is my favorite place to find experts to interview and products to review. Simply sign in as a journalist, fill out the required information and send off your request. Be forewarned though, you might receive a flood of emails!
- Absolute Write - The Absolute Write Water Cooler has a section in its forum for interview subject requests.
- Writer’s Weekly - Also has a section in it’s forum for interview requests.
- Local businesses - Do you need to interview a doctor? Look for specialists in your area and make a phone call. Do you need to speak with someone in the construction industry or a preschool teacher? They’re only as far away as your local phone directory.
- Local organizations - When I belonged to a local professional women’s organization they were all willing to help out if an interview was needed. You don’t even have to belong, you could always contact the clubs PR rep and let her know you’re looking for interview subjects and ask if there’s anyone in the group who is interested.
- Friends and family - Just because you know someone doesn’t mean he’s not a good person to talk to.
- Twitter - I can’t say enough good things about Twitter. I can ask one question and get 50 responses. The Twitter community is great for finding whatever you need.
- Web communities such as this one - I’m always happy to post requests for interview subjects. Plus forums and social networking communities such as Linked In and Face Book also can hook you up with the right people.
The world is a lot smaller than it was ten or twenty years ago. It’s so easy to connect with the people you need. There’s no reason to turn down an interview assignment because you can’t find a source. What are some of your favorite places to look?
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Thursday, January 24th, 2008 at 10:46 pm under
I also look on forums about the topic. Most have “guest” accesses, and if you post a request for interview subjects and your email address, it is easy to get some responses!
January 24th, 2008 at 11:28 pmThanks for the list!
January 24th, 2008 at 11:47 pmProfnet, as you mentioned.
January 24th, 2008 at 11:57 pmDon’t provide phone number on Profnet because as Deb says, you may get innundated, often by PR people who have clients that don’t even come close to meeting your needs.
I try to use an early cut-off to responses, otherwise you’ll get e-mails for weeks.
January 25th, 2008 at 12:40 amDepending on your topic, authors LOVE being interviewed, especially if they are promoting a new book that ties in.
I know that when I allowed author interviews on my website, I would get about 10 requests a day for interviews.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:03 amI know a couple of people who weren’t allowed to register with ProfNet because their publicaton track record wasn’t good enough. I get the feeling they’re not for newbies.
January 25th, 2008 at 4:11 amJanet,
Perhaps you should check business wire. They have something that competes with Profnet. I was already an “oldbie” before I registered, didn’t know there was a track record issue.
January 25th, 2008 at 4:58 amOther places I’ve looked: Amazon or BN.com is a great place to find expert sources. It might take a little work but they are among the best sources I’ve come across. Authors are always looking for the chance to plug a book.
Local colleges and universities: they always have experts. The public information department is always the best first step. Many colleges put out regular press releases if you sign up for their mailing list, so you can get great ideas that way, too.
January 25th, 2008 at 5:24 amAnother tip for using Amazon.com: you can search by publication date to find a book on your topic that coincides with your projected publication date to make it more timely.
There’s also a group on facebook run by Peter Shankman (I think it’s called “I’ll help a reporter out…”) where Peter takes requests from writers, sends them out to the group, and helps them find all manner of experts or “real people” sources.
January 25th, 2008 at 7:31 amPROFNET IS GREAT !!!! I do a lot of medical writing and they have an expesrt for every kind of medical condition, medical research, disease info, health care reform, drugs, you name it.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:18 pmFirst, I want to point out that after only about a week reading this site, I got a gig from one of your postings. Thanks! I’ll have to hit that tip jar when the checks start coming in.
But now to my two rookie questions.
Have you all found that the, e.g., Profnet people are willing to conduct interviews via email? It seems like a “duh” but as a reporter I had a few occasions in which email would have been the best way to “catch” my experts, but they didn’t consider it a real interview unless it was by phone or in person.
Second, about the local sources. If you’re writing for a national audience and quoting the head of the medical center in your fairly non-Gotham area, will the reader discount it?
Thanks to anyone with the patience to take the above questions on.
January 25th, 2008 at 6:20 pmThis is helpful. Thank you.
January 25th, 2008 at 7:43 pmI would like to suggest another source. Universities and colleges usually maintain a speakers list of the people on the faculty that want to be contacted for expert advice, opinions, etc. I have not checked Profnet (as I have no need at the moment) so I don’t know if they might have the same people. The Community College that I worked for requested that any faculty interested should be on the list. I just thought I would add that as a source though if anyone has more direct experience on this, perhaps they could add some more information
January 25th, 2008 at 8:25 pmThanks, Phil — I’ll check them out!
January 25th, 2008 at 8:41 pm[…] 8 Great Places to Find Interview Subjects […]
January 25th, 2008 at 11:09 pm@ Melissa: When I post a query on ProfNet, I always specify that I am looking for someone willing to be interviewed by e-mail.
A professional association may have members wiling to give interviews. I now have a contact at the National Association of Social Workers in Washington and she has been very helpful in helping me find interview subjects.
January 26th, 2008 at 9:47 pmI have a couple interviews lined up, but what I’m terrified of is asking the questions. How do you know what to ask in an interview? I’m always terrified they’re going to think I’m an idiot if I ask the wrong questions.
There’s not much out there, if you do a Google search. Most of the results are for job interview questions.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:02 am@ Linette: I ask myself what I would like to find out about the topic and use that as a basis for asking questions. If the topic has been in the news recently, you could go with that angle. HTH.
January 27th, 2008 at 12:13 am[…] Looking to spice up your blog with an interview? Check out 8 Great Places to Find Interview Subjects […]
January 27th, 2008 at 11:43 pmThanks for these great tips. I believe adding interviews to your writing, blogs or websites adds color and dimension.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:12 amForget to mention an interview source that works well for me: colleagues in your industry. Many people shy away from their competitors, but they are usually very willing to share and offer a needed different perspective on the industry.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:16 am[…] Looking to spice up your blog with an interview? Check out 8 Great Places to Find Interview Subjects […]
January 29th, 2008 at 9:52 pm[…] - If you really want to know about a specific topic, interview experts in the […]
January 29th, 2008 at 10:27 pm