How do you know if you got enough information from a source?
Keep going until your source says, “That’s and interesting question.” Then you know you’ve pushed past the basics.
At the same time, you have received a lot of positive response from your subjects. Why?
I think it is because they value precision — many of the interviewees are technologists at heart, and they like to see their company reflected accurately. As it happens, that’s rare, due to writers being on deadline, or technology is not their forte, or they aren’t invested or able to take the time to understand it. When it happens, the subjects are often pleased, and sometimes even pleasantly surprised to see that someone has gotten through the PR sludge.
Not always, though?
Not always. Growing businesses can be desperate to promote themselves, and they have a message they want to send. I’ve had interviewees rewrite my questions and answer the questions they want me to ask. I keep probing. On the rare occasion that the interviewee is intractable, I won’t submit the piece.
What’s the most difficult thing about working with editors?
I’ve had several, and had great relationships with all of them. Editors were also writers once, and they understand what it takes to cultivate good relationships. I’ve used many of them as models as an editor myself. The most important thing is to give them what they want, when they want it. They don’t care about how the sausage is made. Also, keep in touch. Let them know things are moving forward — good planning and organization is their holy flame, and they are depending on you to keep it lit. And give them impeccable copy — they don’t have time to start rewriting entire paragraphs of your work. Lastly, write to space. It’s not romantic, but you cannot overestimate the importance of this as an editor.
What mistakes do young journalists make?
I think a lot of mistakes are made with tone. That is, the tone doesn’t serve the piece or match the personality of the publication, which is crucial for a publication’s editorial identity. Most young writers are all ego, and they write to show off their writing talents instead of thinking about the audience and what they want to know about the subject. That’s what I see most often, even in well-regarded publications. It’s a glaring mistake.
What’s great about writing for business and tech pubs?
The boring answer is that everyone is unique, and finding that uniqueness is always an interesting challenge, and that’s true. But also, it’s the best education ever, or at least the widest. I’m never at a loss for things to talk about at cocktail parties, whether the subject is vacuum tube amps, Web 3.0 or flushless toilets.
Thanks for your time.
Thank you.
© Interview by Curt Minnis.
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