How to Conduct a Radio Interview

Listening to the radio remains a favorite way to get news and music even in today's cyber oriented age. When the average listener tunes into a radio interview, few have any idea what went into conducting that interview or how a radio interview is done. After spending more than seven years working in radio and with countless radio interviews under my belt I can offer some insight into how to conduct a radio interview.

First, before anyone attempts to conduct a radio interview, he or she must be over being broadcast shy. To be successful in any aspect of radio broadcasting, an interviewer must have long since conquered the jitters. Don't think about the fact that the interview is or will be broadcast to a large number of listeners and focus instead on the interview itself. Keep it as conversational as possible. Don't turn an interview into an inquisition. Relax and forget that the individual is noteworthy or famous. It may sound funny but something that helped me was when I interviewed a major political figure who asked if he could use the restroom before we got started. That reminded me that he was human, just like me, and after that experience, I found I could be much more relaxed simply by reminding myself that the interviewee had the same bodily functions as I did.

The next rule of thumb is to be over prepared. It just is not possible to conduct a radio interview and have too much information. Whether the interview is with a political figure, celebrity, or local individual, it is far better to have more questions than can ever be asked than to flounder with not enough. A beginner's mistake is to have three or five questions. Once these questions have been answered, the interviewer may begin to have trouble keeping the interview going. Dead air is an enemy of a successful radio broadcast and fumbling for a new question while on air is going to turn off most listeners.

Break the ice before hitting the heavy or hard questions. A little polite introduction and simple questions are the best way to begin. Once an easy rapport has been established, it isn't so hard to ask a difficult or hard question about issues. Think of the interview process as a conversation.

Do ask questions that are thought provoking, questions that perhaps another interviewer in another media outlet has not asked. Be creative and probe areas of interest.

Do research before the interview. If an interview is scheduled with the Governor, do some research. Know his or her background, occupation before running for governor, family members, interests, and passions. Know what he or she believes in, what they have worked toward, and how they feel about vital issues. Knowing something about the person in advance helps smooth the way when conducting a radio interview.

Set a comfortable pace within time limits. Most radio interviews will have a time limit so stay within those limits. Just don't race through questions or fire questions too rapidly. Remember that it is common in radio that if it is not a live broadcast, portions of the interview may be all that are used on air. Even if it is a live interview, keep in mind that snippets will be taken out and used in news stories to air later.

It may sound like the most basic advice but it is valid no matter how long someone has been in radio journalism or broadcasting - Get tape. Get lots of tape, more than anyone may ever need because it is better to have way too much than not enough.

Be polite; use company manners while conducting the radio interview. And, be professional. If the person conducting the interview is a Democrat but the interviewee is a strong Republican, don't allow personal views to get in the way of a good interview. And, be sure to thank the individual who is being interviewed at both the start and end of the interview on air.

With these steps, conducting a radio interview can be easy and even relaxing. It may not be as hard as it seems but remember, what listeners hear is not as effortless as a good radio interview sounds like!