Bob's Tips

After conducting more than 20,000 interviews in my career, I have a few tips I'd like to share. Funny how these tips also apply to everyday conversation.

1. Be warm and welcoming. Unless you really hate the artist's work, say something positive about the book, CD, whatever -- even the biggest stars like compliments. This is more than good manners -- it helps to relax the guest. A relaxed guest will be more forthcoming than a nervous, uptight guest who figures you're going ask about that DUI, the rehab or the lawsuit by the ex.

2. Think of it as a conversation and not an interview. If you do an interview, it will likely SOUND like an interview. How do you talk to a friend over a beer? First you LISTEN -- and you react to what you've heard. If someone tells me something really interesting, I'll simply say, "Really?" or "No!" Those are little words of encouragement that signal the speaker to continue -- and to expand on previous remarks. If your guest is truly confusing, try "Huh?" Works for me.

3. Try to have an arc to the interview -- a continuum that follows an orderly path through a life, a career, a project. Another option is to divide it into sections: Art, personal stuff, pet causes or community service. Make it easy for your listener to follow the story.

4. Don't trust the web. Errors last forever in cyberspace. (I love reading quotes attributed to me that I never said. Whoever wrote my Wikipedia entry got my date of birth wrong and said I home-schooled all my kids. At least I'm allowed to edit THAT one.) If something you find seems outrageous, it could be for a reason. Try saying, "It's not really true that you make stew from roadkill, right?"

5. Indulge yourself. Ask the question you've always wanted to ask. "What's that lyric about?" "What inspired that painting?" "That's such a sad song -- did your dog die on the day you wrote that?" But then you have to be prepared if the guest says, "Yes, he did, and I still miss him terribly."


www.bobedwardsradio.com

Comments

[AgathaX]

Thanks for the posting and I miss you too. Very, very much. (You have no idea.)

You didn't go into what not to do, but one thing I hate to hear in an interview is people who apologize for a question before they ask it. Ask or don't, but don't apologize. There are certain people who shall remain nameless who are serial offenders in this regard. If any of them happen to be reading, please know this: I turn off the radio when I hear people aplogizing for their upcoming question. If I miss an interview because of this I can usually find an episode of Bob Edwards or Charlie Rose with the same guest to which I can listen without cringing.

[ecstewart]

I love listening to your interviews in the morning on satellite. You're one of the best on-air conversationalists I've heard and always strive to learn something from each segment. How much fun would it be for an ordinary person to get interviewed by someone like you?

Thanks for the tips!

[mommadona]

Thank you!

[TommyMcCarthy]

Tips on the art of the interview (as well as the art of conversation), from Bob Edwards, the very best there is at both.

Having listened to Bob on NPR's "Morning Edition" every weekday for near 20 years......it comes as no surprise to me that Bob counts LISTENING as among the top skills in both interviewing and conversation.

Congratulations on your splendid career, Bob. We miss you terribly in the morning, especially on Fridays when, if I am passing certain familiar landmarks on the commute, I can almost hear Red Barber and yourself.
Highest Regards.........................tm

[Grulg]

Words to live by am sure.

[Oskaloosa]

Good to hear from you Col. Bob. Miss you every morning.