What format and content to for e-mail interview?

I have been asked to interview someone through e-mail.

As I am not a pro, and I have only done one e-mail interview, how would you go about it?

How would you set up the structure? I figure something like:

1. I send Qs
2. As to Qs and some suggested Qs
3. Expand on original Qs and add new Qs
4. Final As to Qs
5. structure Qs & As
6. Show interviewee final draft (and maybe get sign-off)
7. publish

Are there some general Qs I should ask? Any caveats, pitfalls and such to watch out for?

 

Well, email interviews are always suspect. They should be used as the last resort only.

Why?

When you email questions, your interviewee can spend all sorts of time trying to craft the "perfect answer." Furthermore, you don't even know if the answers came from the person or someone else (happens often).

Personally, I'd ask for a phone number and do it that way.

Also, email interviews are very static and impersonal unless the interviewee is willing to exchange emails back and forth.

When I interview someone in person or on the phone, I get way more out of them and I can expand or pinpoint as necessary.

I've only conducted a couple email interviews and that's because I was doing a story about some extremely busy people and trying to coordinate with "their people" was a pain in "my ass."

I resorted to email and I knew that their answers would be "polished." The email was simple in nature. I had an introduction and some questions. I guided them along a route to the finish line.

And no, I didn't email them back and forth like it was amateur hour. I had one shot. A follow up email was dispatched to thank them. The one exception would be if I had to confirm anything.

However, if you're interviewing webmasters, you'll find that they are usually not all that busy (compared to politicians and so forth). And many are willing to exchange emails.

Good luck!

 

Although I do not doubt you are correct there are some problems to conduct a telephone interview.

The individual is not a webmaster, and most likely will not have time and willingness for a full telephone interview.

Are you suggesting that for e-mail interview, try to limit the back-and-forth to a minimum? Get it all out in one shot, and go from there?

 

I have interviewed various different people via email from the entertainment industry and whilst I do agree with marketjunction when he says that a phone interview or in person would be better, email interviews are far less hassle for both people involved and are sometimes the only way to get an interview at all.

I have never gone backwards and forwards to a person with an email interview. Them or 'their people' usually confirm that it can happen and ask for the interview questions to be sent over. Keep it simple layout wise and try to act natural and provide interesting questions that will grab their attention. If they get bored they are more likely to fob you off with standard run of the mill answers which will be of no use at all.

Hope that helps a little bit!

 

I have interviewed people who "didn't have the time" too. Don't assume anything.

For email interviews, try for a one and done philosophy.

And don't send them like 30 questions to answer. See, there's a limitation right there. Imagine you open an email and see mounds of text and questions. Most people won't want to answer or will do so halfheartedly.

While you can get better results via phone or in person 10 times out of 10, sometimes it's just not an option--as it might be in your case.

Spend some time crafting the questions. Give your interviewee room to expand if they choose.

And, as is the case with any interview, always ask if there's anything they felt you left out.

 

Should I put a couple of sentences of "direction" with questions?

i.e. when I ask a question, try to further define it what I am looking for?