Whether its for a magazine or a news article, interviews are always fun to read and probably to do. Personally, I've never done one, but I always like reading them. If the author's good, the personality of the interviewee comes through, giving you a hint of what the person really is. Below are some tips for interviewing:
1. Always prepare your questions ahead of time. Writing them out or having them memorized is always good. You might have a notebook ready to take with you anyway, in case you think of questions stemming off an answer given to one of your other questions that you hadn't thought of before.
2. Prepare more questions than you think you'll need. Don't rely on the person being interviewed to expound on something, thus giving you an opening to ask a question you never thought of before.
3. Bring a tape records, extra cassettes and a spare set of batteries if you're going to tape the interview. And always get permission to tape the interview. Some people are uncomfortable knowing that their every word is being recorded and will refuse to interview unless its just you, them, and a peice of paper.
4. To get the interview started first write to the person to setup or inquire about an interview. Make a follow-up call to verify the interview arrangements. Lastly call the day before the interview to confirm time and place. It also serves as a small reminder to the interviewee, especially if they are a personality or just someone with a normally busy schedule.
5. Like a job interview, dress professionally, be polite and business-like, but not cool. Be interested and charming, try to get them to relax and open up. Find some way to connect with your subject, you might get a better interview that way.
6. Always send a follow-up thank you letter to the person you've interviewed. Like a follow-up to a job interview, its professional and polite. Some recommend sending a small blurb from your interview article for them to preview, to show them what you've done. Others recommend skipping that part, as presumably the interviewed person will see the interview in print.
Remember, above all, the interview is two things to you and the person being interviewed: an advertisement and a job. Both of you are using each other to advertise your skill and/or assets. Your paycheck will come from the interview. Perhaps for them, the interview is a promotion for something that will get them further down the line of their profession.