An interview is one of journalism’s most powerful storytelling formats. It can be presented as a narrative article or in a classic question-and-answer (Q&A) format. At its core, an interview is a purposeful conversation between a journalist and an interviewee, designed to explore a specific topic, uncover unique perspectives, and provide readers with insights they cannot obtain elsewhere. Unlike simply collecting facts or quotes from a source, a journalistic interview seeks depth, context, and authenticity. Whether you are interviewing a CEO, scientist, politician, or artist, the goal is to reveal the person behind the information. Here are 14 practical tips to help you conduct a compelling and memorable written interview (print or web).
1. Determine the interview format. Decide whether the interview will take place by phone, video call, in-person, or by email, as each format requires a different approach. Email interviews, in particular, often require more preparation because there is no opportunity for immediate follow-up questions.
2. Research the interviewee. Gather as much information as possible before the interview. Verify the interviewee’s name, title, position, and other relevant credentials. If available, read previous interviews to understand their background, viewpoints, and communication style.
3. Research the topic. Become as familiar as possible with the subject of the interview. Thorough background research will help you ask informed questions, identify key issues, and conduct a more insightful conversation.
4. Prepare a list of questions (or at least topics). Draft more questions than you expect to ask and prioritize the most important ones. Give special attention to your opening question, as it often sets the tone for the entire interview. As you prepare, ask yourself: What would my audience most want to know? Organize your questions using a tool such as Google Drive or Publinetis.
Read too: Asking the right balanced questions in an interview
5. Collaborate on your questions. Whenever possible, prepare the interview as a team. Brainstorming with colleagues often leads to stronger questions, a better sequence, and angles that one person alone might overlook.
Note: On Publinetis.com you can use our Team Hub system.
6. Listen actively. During a live interview, don’t feel bound to your prepared questions. Pay close attention to the interviewee’s answers, ask thoughtful follow-up questions, and maintain eye contact to build trust and encourage more authentic responses.
7. Ask clear and concise questions. Keep your questions short, specific, and objective. Avoid overly broad or leading questions, which can result in vague or unfocused answers.
8. Favor open-ended questions. Encourage detailed answers by asking questions that begin with how, why, or what. Avoid yes-or-no questions whenever possible, as they often produce brief and less informative responses.
9. Ask one question at a time. Whenever possible, especially in live interviews, ask a single question before moving on to the next. Multiple questions asked at once can confuse the interviewee and lead to incomplete or unfocused answers.
10. End with an open invitation. Before concluding the interview, ask whether the interviewee would like to add anything or whether there is an important question you did not ask (e.g. “Did I forget to ask you something?”). This final opportunity often leads to valuable insights or unexpected information.
11. Record and transcribe the interview. With the interviewee’s permission and in accordance with applicable laws, record the interview whenever possible. A recording helps ensure accuracy and makes it easier to transcribe quotes and verify details later.
12. Consider a pre-publication review. If your news organization permits it, you may offer the interviewee the opportunity to review the interview before publication to verify factual accuracy. Editorial platforms such as Publinetis can help streamline the review and editing process.
13. Write and edit the interview. Decide whether to present the interview as a narrative article or in a question-and-answer (Q&A) format, which is often well suited to longer interviews. Whichever format you choose, begin with a strong introduction (lede) that provides context and captures the reader’s attention. Editorial tools such as Publinetis can help streamline the editing and pre-publication process.
14. Share the published interview. Once the interview is published, send the interviewee a link to the article. If appropriate, encourage them to share it through their website or social media channels to help broaden its reach.
To read: Asking the right balanced questions in an interview
Updated: August 01, 2026. By Xavier Gruffat. Main source: Naveed Saleh. The Complete Guide to Article Writing, Cincinnati: Writers’Digest Book, 2013.
Picture: Adobe Stock. Infographic: Pharmanetis Ltd.