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5 Comments

How to convince people to do an interview with you?

So I just started writing a book, and I find that "plus value" is to give my readers insights from some interviews with experts in my industry.

In my opinion, that strategy can leverage my book because I'm not speaking about myself, and I also gain trust from those interviews.

Even I can charge more like this:
Basic: Only books
Pro: Books + Screencast/Podcast with experts

The question is, How to convince people to do an interview with you?
Or I just pay them? Because I also appreciate their time.
Thanks in advance :)

  1. 2

    Another thing that can help is to tell how you plan to promote the work and what kind of exposure or other value the expert can expect in return.

  2. 2

    Present an interesting angle of coverage that they haven't yet done. People will usually decline an interview if it covers the same questions that have previously been answered 100s of times.

    Be honest about your own position: if you're just starting out and only have 10 followers, say that – don't over-inflate the size of your audience of the value you can deliver in return.

  3. 2

    I would say, ask nicely. Explain what you're doing, why you would value their opinion on the subject, sincere stuff like that. If they're not going to agree on that, there probably isn't much else you could say to get them to agree.

    Well, and also, keep asking, until you have enough interviews. There will be always people declining, and it will be probably even more than those agreeing. No need to pay them for an interview in your case.

    1. 1

      Got it. Yeah, I think I'll keep asking, omg I wish I have enough friends to do that :)
      Thank you so much for your advice. I really appreciate it.

  4. 1

    i'm a college student writing a book, so i really struggled with this, as there were no real "credentials" behind me. but one thing that worked for me is focusing on the message / social good aspect, if there is one, and being dilligent about follow-ups. if you're interviewing executives, a lot of them take 5-6 emails before they reply. lack of response is not a no is my philosophy!

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