LatinaBeatz.com

I am writing this from my personal experience.  I have been doing interviews for years now, I have interviewed the well known and the up and coming, from Music to Energy Healers.

I thought this might be helpful, for those who will be doing interviews, as in being interviewed, on your music, etc.

I will post a blog on how to Interview someone soon!

I will get interviewed from time to time, so I know what it’s like on the other side,  it can be kind of overwhelming, some questions will confuse me or I’ll  think “shit I should have said this, or said that” so I mentally prepare, I know I’m going to get asked about what I do, or specific things, so I take my time and answer in a way I want everyone to understand. In my words.

Lets start with E-Mail Interviews, I do 99% of my interviews this way.

I know if your getting interviewed for the first time.. you get excited and want to let everything out, name everyone and tell your life story because who knows if you will get interviewed again right? Here are some tips to help you have a smooth and successful Interview, hope it helps!

Don’t answer questions like it’s a yes or no question. Elaborate but don’t overly explain something. Just give enough.

Don’t be afraid to let the interviewer know if you want something, added, taken out or changed. You should always feel 100% comfortable with your interview, after all, it’s YOUR Interview.

Don’t be scared to ask to see the final version of the interview before it posts.

Do not type ALL IN CAPS, it’s a BITCH to have to type everything out in the editing process.

Do not type LyKe Diz, It’s not cute, at all. Ever.

Do not make E’s into 3′s, or S’s into Z’s. Type proper English.

It’s okay if your not a Grammar Professor, there is Spell Check though, use it. Plus the more your Spelling is correct the faster it can be edited.

Please do not refer to yourself in the 3rd person. It gets confusing and it’ kinda douchey.

Don’t get a cocky Kanye attitude like your bothered someone is paying attention to you and showing  interest in your project. That shit doesn’t fly with me, If it wasn’t for journalists or someone mentioning your shit you wouldn’t get any shine, remember that. People will read it and get turned off. I’m talking about the people who think by acting “To cool for School” makes you look like a big shot, it doesn’t, more like a dip shit. Leave the arrogance out.

If your asked to give shot outs, Keep  it general and to a minimum, No one cares about what your Mail Man did or the Cashier at Mc Donalds.  If your giving a interview that will be published nationwide or seen by many, in general people won’t even know who your talking about.

Keep in mind when you do answer not to ramble on, Mind you people have mad A.D.D. like myself, most people scan for key words, so keep your answers just long enough, to the point and don’t over explain something.

If someone is interviewing you by a Recorder, Be considerate if the interviewer has to type everything out, don’t ramble on. SPEAK CLEARLY. I use to have to type every single word out from a recorder, trust me it’s not fun.

If your not sure, google and research some of your favorite artists interviews, how they answer them, etc. Magazines  & Newspapers are everywhere!

Now if your giving an interview on Camera

Make sure to pronounciate and project your voice clearly.

Be mindful of your facial expressions and your Body Language. I can’t stress this enough!

Keep the cussing to a minimum, if they have to bleep you, you don’t want it to sound like a “Ain’t no Fun” Snoop Dogg song on the radio, you know.. where 95% of the song is bleeped out.

I know it’s a “Q&A” but engage with the interviewer, don’t just give a Yes or No answer. Be interactive. Your not a Robot, so be yourself,  be relaxed.

Don’t have wandering eyes, give respect to the Interviewer and have eye contact, looking away alot or turning your head when you see someone is very disrespectful and DISTRACTING.

Remember people will watch your interview online all over the world, think about how you want people to view you.

THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK.

Also keep in mind that you may type what your thinking or type like you speak, it will come across on the page differently. You know how you get a text and it seems like someone is being a smart-ass? but since there is no TONE in print, other can caps (which is a no-no!) just be mindful if your trying to express something.

Now when your Interview is done, don’t expect the Publication or Blogger to just promote it for you, do your part,Understand this is your interview and ask the Interviewer for Permission to post about it. ALWAYS give the Interviewer and Publication FULL CREDIT.

If you have any questions feel free to let me know or if you have any tips you want me to add! =)

Thanks to Al Basics, and my boy Wackoe.com for helping me with some tips and advice. Catch Wackoe’s shows Sunday Nights at Wackoe.com

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Tags: advice, Business, Intervews, music, tips

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