RESEARCH : The best questions are informed questions. Whether you have five hours or five days, gather clippings and court records and talk to the subject's cohorts.

TACTICS : Make a tactical plan and discuss it with a friend or colleague. Whenever possible, I interview people close to the action, while they are actually doing whatever it is I am writing about. However, whistle blowers and reluctant targets are best contacted at home. You can calm a nervous source by taking him or her for a walk. And if you arrange a lunch appointment you can force a person to spend at least an hour with you.

ORGANIZE : Write single word clues on the flap of your notebook to remind you of issues you want to cover. Organize paperwork so you won't fumble with it as you talk. Begin with softball questions (i.e., a chronological life history), but prepare a comprehensive all purpose question for cases where the door might slam in your face.

INNER INTERVIEWING : As a warm up (maybe during your morning shower), imagine a successful interview. Reporters who don't believe they will get the interview or the information usually fail. As far as I'm concerned, no one should ever refuse to talk to me. It works.

THE OPENER : The techniques of "inner interviewing" continue. Never approach your subject as though they seem menacing or likely to clam up. Appear innocent, friendly, unafraid and curious. If you are a hard boiled, cynical reporter who talks out of the side of your mouth, you will need acting lessons.

PAY ATTENTION TO DETAIL: Inventory the room thoroughly and in an organized fashion. Look at the walls, read the top of the desk and study the lapel pin. You'll get clues and details for your story. Make notes on what you see.

LOOK FOR OTHER SOURCES: While at the interview, meet the secretary and the other co workers and make note of details about them. This will come in handy as you turn them into sources.

RELUCTANT PEOPLE

 KEEP IT GOING : When the door is closing on your face, find common ground. "By the way, I notice you've got a poodle. I've got a poodle. Weird dogs. Just the other day . . ." As a person hangs up the phone, I quickly say I only want to explain what I am working on and they should at least know that. (They usually comment once they hear what I am doing). On one occasion I inadvertently repeated something that was inaccurate and a cop dragged out a report I wanted to see just so he could show me I was wrong. You've got to be quick, sincere, kind and courteous.

IT'S NO BIG DEAL : Respond to the "I can't comment" by saying "You don't have to worry. Heck, you are just one of several people I've talked with. It's no big deal. Here's what I understand about the situation. Let's talk about this part a little bit . . . " (and then start talking about the information you want to confirm). Notice that I avoid a debate over the reasons they don't want to talk with me. You'll lose that debate 9 times out of 10. Keep the conversation rolling.

SYMPATHY : Respond to the "I'm afraid to comment" with a little sympathy and a lot of reassurance: "I understand your concern. These are tough times for your agency. But a lot of folks talk to me in situations like this, including people you work with. Let me at least cover a couple of things with you, it would help me a lot." Give glancing recognition to their concerns, but try to move right on to the point of the story.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL OR OTHER BIG SHOT : Respond to the "no comment" from an "important" person or bureaucrat by saying: "You know, I feel bad about just putting a 'no comment' in this story since the readers will think you are hiding something. Let's find a way to talk about this. Tell me about this, for instance. . ."

DOOR NO. 1, OR DOOR NO. 2? As a last ditch method with the reluctant public official or big shot, I say, "Look, whether you talk to me or not, I'm going to do a story on this. So you can have it one of two ways: Either I do a fair story that says that you refused to cooperate, or I do a fair story that has your point of view in it. Now which do you want?" They usually choose Door No. 2.

DETOURS If a person won't talk, go to others in his or her office or to associates. You will get more information, and by doing this you will loosen them up.

RATCHETING If a subject insists on talking "on background," take notes anyway. At the end of the interview, pick out a good quote in your notes that isnt too damning and say: "Now what about this thing you said here. Why can't you say that on the record?" If they agree to put that comment on the record, go to another one in your notes and say: "Well, if you can say that on the record, why can't you say this?" And so on. I have gotten an entire notebook on the record this way. If they insist on anonymity, however, you must honor it.

ANONYMITY Don't accept information "on background" without a fight. Even if it means going back to them several times, try to convince people to go on the record. (Absolutely "off the record" information is useless, since you can't use it under any circumstance. Avoid it. It's a waste of time.)

Courtesy of IFJ Online training

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