What’s all this about a breakthrough in radio interviewing?
This is just to make sure you are aware that I now use technology which allows interviewees who have either a good webcam, a computer microphone or a smartphone to be recorded in much-improved quality for the media.
It means I now conduct radio interviews in good sound quality with people wherever they are – as long as they have broadband or even patchy mobile phone reception. On a Scottish island or in Outer Mongolia? No problem. The quality is always better than telephone and often close to studio-quality.
What does this mean for a PR person?
Quite simply, you now have a way to quickly give broadcasters – and the press too – quality interviews with your people. Extended interviews in phone quality are unbearable. Listeners switch off mentally, and sometimes literally. Broadcast editors demand better quality nowadays.
In the case of news, if I, as a freelance journalist, interview people from an organisation, I will be paid by any stations which use the material. Now, when YOU and your bosses want your own people interviewed, whether for internal purposes or for media use, I can oblige on a paid-for basis. If you need it written up, I can do that too.
Obviously, I have to charge for my time planning the interview, conducting it and editing, as well as enhancing and distributing the audio afterwards. A three-way system, so I can guide participants through each step, can be set up for clients to interview their own people.
Why can I not do this myself?
You certainly can – if you have a lot of time and patience. Countless pitfalls can ruin out-of-studio recordings but I took time to learn what to do in different situations – as well as what to avoid. One Scottish radio station recently tried to do this themselves. It was too time-consuming and “brain-frazzling” for the staff. I now work for them too.
Not all webcams and computers work well with these systems. But we will find solutions together. It has been a steep learning curve for me learning which interviewee-end gear works best and also how to clean up less-than-perfect audio.
My rates are low, with discounts for regular clients. Charges begin at £30 for a one-off interview of up to 15 minutes final duration (up to 60 minutes total commitment).
