It doesn’t get more basic in journalism than interviewing…You have a need to know, someone has the answers….Armed with a few basics, you’re off…<\/p>\n
Now interviewing can be intimidating and no place more so than a professional locker room. \u00a0So it was great to have guests at the Boston University Sports Journalism Seminar Series that have mastered that challenge…Mike Salk<\/a> of WEEI Sports Talk Radio and Arielle Aronson<\/a>, of late from ShesGameSports.Com remember what it was like early on: “It took me a while before I asked anything, said Salk, I sort of listened to all the other writers and formulated questions in my mind and when my questions matched up with their questions, then I finally felt comfortable asking something.”…For Aronson it was matter putting her subjects at ease…”Try to make it as conversational as possible and you’ll make them feel comfortable(and talk to you).”<\/p>\n Aronson hasn’t been doing this for very long, having just graduated from Boston University in 2012…But to hear her speak, she’s already picked up on some very important lessons…Like trying to get a story all to yourself…It isn’t going to happen in the “scrum”…”A lot of times if I have a question or I have a story that I don’t want anyone else to really have, I don’t ask it(the question) while their people around. \u00a0I wait till everyone leaves and then ask ‘do you have time for one more question?’…And I think if you can thank someone after interviewing them, it does wonders, especially if you’re coming back in the locker room(at some other point).”…Veteran advice from someone who’s new to all this…<\/p>\n Salk pointed out that reporters go into interviews with blinders on sometimes…You’ve written your list of questions but forgotten one very important element, listening…Don’t just concentrate on your list…Watch what this reporter does in interviewing Jozy Altidore of the United States National Soccer \u00a0team after a game..http:\/\/espnfc.com\/video\/espnfc\/video?id=1522851&cc=5901<\/a>….In addition to not listening, the interviewer, in effect, dismisses Altidore, in essence \u00a0saying, “I don;t really care what you’re saying as long as I concentrate on my next question”…there’s a word for that and it’s ‘rude’…<\/p>\n But be aware of your surroundings…You also don’t want to be so focused on your interview that you miss something…Just ask Pam Oliver about that!…http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=i-AkwAYre0U<\/a>….Who said sideline interviewers don’t get noticed?<\/p>\n