Ebook-Newsletter Writers – How to Get an Expert to Agree to an Interview

May 4, 2009 by Yuwanda Black

Following are three areas you should cover when approaching a subject you want to interview for your publication.

1. Who You Are: Unless you 100% know for sure that your subject knows who you are, introduce yourself.

If you want to interview this person, nine times out of ten it’s because they’re pretty successful – which means that they’re busy. So, a request for an interview from “Jim” means nothing to them.

Introduce yourself in a professional manner, which leads me the second area you want to cover, your profession:


2. What You Do: Mention your website, blog, newsletter, etc. in your initial correspondence. Provide a brief bio with links to further information so the interviewee gets a thorough overview of who you are and what you do.

This will allow them to make an informed decision based on sound information. Remember, it’s innately self-serving to link yourself to those who are successful and/or who are a good reflection on you. So, make it easy for your target to say yes.

Your website should be professional. Your correspondence should be professional. Your blog should be professional. These are all reflections of you – and ultimately of the person you want to interview. Make it a good one.


3. Why You Want to Interview Them: Tell the prospect why you want to interview them. Tell them from a what’s in it for them view, not a what’s in it for you.

Eg, “As you provide job for freelancers and my site is about the business of freelancing, I’d like my subscribers to hear your take on the subject.”Many interviewees, especially if they have a website, are promoting something.

Whether it be their services, their ebooks, speaking engagements, etc. So, they’re only too glad to do an interview to get their name in front of more prospects – especially if it’s worded in the right way.


ACTUAL “REQUEST FOR INTERVIEW” LETTER (feel free to use as a template)

Following is a letter I wrote to a Clark Covington of Internet Research Associates, whom I interviewed for the second issue of my newsletter, How to Start a Successful Freelance Career. It covers all three areas mentioned above.

Dear Mr. Covington:

I read about your organization in the AssociatedContent.com forum. I came across the post by Kathy Browning.

My name is Yuwanda Black and I’m the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com and InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com. The site and its accompanying blog are all about the business of freelancing.

We serve as an internet portal, providing advice, case studies, seminars, e-books, etc. to those who want to freelance — full or part-time.

All that being said, I’d like to feature you in an interview in my newsletter, How to Start a Successful Freelance Career, as you provide work-from-home opportunities for freelancers. If interested, please answer the following 8 questions. Of course, I’ll let you know beforehand when it will be published, and will send you a link to the post once it is live.

I look forward to hearing from you. The questions are pasted below.

Sincerely,

Yuwanda Black, Publisher

InkwellEditorial.com

InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com

Simple, direct and to the point. So far, everyone I’ve asked for an interview has complied. Fingers crossed to your success in querying interviewees.

Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Get the E-Report: How to Make $100/Day or More as a Freelance Writer! Log on to InkwellEditorial for full details.