The Interview
- We will ask you the same questions that we provided to you in advance. Please do not read scripted answers, but answer naturally, as if we were having a regular conversation — which we are!
- We may ask follow-up questions based on your answers. If a question makes you uncomfortable, or you don’t want to answer it for some other reason, please let us know and we will edit it out.
- Most likely, we will record your interview before your book comes out, but publish it afterward, so provide your answers as if your book is already available.
- We will edit the interview to be about 10-20 minutes in length. If your “live” interview goes longer than 30 minutes, we may divide it into two parts for publication. (30 minutes live = about 15 minutes of usable material.) We will try to keep the spirit of the interview and your answers as clear and concise as we can.
Most importantly, have fun with it.
Technology
- Make sure you have the latest version of the Zoom application that your system will support. Please check this at least an hour before your scheduled recording time in case you need to install an update.
- Please test that your audio is working with Zoom. Test both the speakers and your microphone. If your system supports it, we recommend that you set the volume for your microphone higher than your speaker volume so that your voice is more audible on the recording.
- You do not need a Zoom account of your own to participate. It may, however, prompt you for your name and email address so that it can identify you in the Zoom session.
- A headset is not required, but you might need to speak a little more loudly and clearly if you are using a microphone integrated into your system, particularly if you are using a laptop.
- If your system and internet connection can handle it, please set your Zoom session for HD (high-definition) quality. Here are instructions on how to do this: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115002595343-Improving-your-video-quality. If we encounter bandwidth issues while trying to record, follow the same the procedure to deselect HD.
- If you can, adjust your camera so that your face is positioned in the center of the frame. Sitting a little further back is better than being too close and having your chin or hair cropped out of the image.
Your Appearance
- Because the interview will be held via Zoom, we will (hopefully) be able to see each other. Although video will be recorded during the entire session, we will not be publishing the entire podcast in video format. However, short video segments might be used for promotional purposes, such as on our YouTube channels, so please wear something you would want to be seen wearing in public.
- If you are using a virtual background, make certain that your clothing does not contain any of the same colors that are in the background. Otherwise, bits of you will disappear in the video image during the recording.
- If you are not using a virtual background, wear clothing that provides some contrast with the colors in the chair and background so that people can see you clearly.
Speaking and Listening
- We will not be giving verbal cues while you are talking, because it messes up the audio. We will be on mute while you speak.
- Please speak as clearly as you can into your microphone. We will do an audio check for 5 minutes before the interview begins to make sure everything works.
- You don’t have to slow down or speed up. You can pause as long as you need between words. We try to edit out “ums” and “ahs” later, so don’t worry if you do that. You don’t have to articulate everything, either. Just be natural.
- If you want to stop and repeat something for clarity, that’s fine. If you stumble over a word or phrase, please stop and repeat it from the beginning of the thought/sentence.
- Please wait until another person finishes speaking before commenting. This stops people from talking over each other. (Yes, we know this can be really tough to do, but try to remember to do so if you can.)
- For panel discussions, we recommend that you mute yourself except when you are speaking. On most systems, pressing and holding the spacebar will temporarily unmute you when you want to speak.