There are very inexpensive cassette recorders that will hook directly up to your telephone and create a very good quality sound. There are also services on Internet that will record interview digitally which will save you time and expense in end.

Be careful when recording that you don't lose concentration as this will "deaden" an interview.

Listen carefully to what is being said and be sure to understand answers to your questions.

If you don't understand an answer ask your interviewee to clarify their answer.

If a person is evasive to a question or doesn't give an answer, ask question in a different

way and at another point in your interview.

If someone gives "off record information" turn recorder off. Respect their right of

privacy.

Always guide interview process, but don't dominate it. If person strays too far from the

subject at hand, then quickly guide them back.

Always keep recording on file in case someone should ever claim they have been misquoted.

If interview is likely to be in any way contentious recording should remain in your file for

at least a year or two.

Using photographs of interviewee:

There are times when you may want to use a photograph of a person for project you are

working on. Photos of person being interviewed make your sales page (if you are planning on

writing a sales page for Internet) much more personal.

TIP: If you use photographs, always get a signed agreement before using them and as a safeguard for yourself have them sign a Model Release Consent

form. There have been cases when a person's photo has been used without his/her prior

consent and person has sued for modeling fees, invasion of privacy, or for various other

reasons.

Note: For a variety of personal reasons some people may not want their picture to be used on

the Internet. Always respect their request if this is case.

Ask open-ended questions:

Asking open-ended questions instead of ones that invite a yes or no answer will give more interesting responses.

These questions usually begin with who, what, when, where and how, and cannot be answered with a straight yes or no.

Example: "When did you get into writing?" "what made you decide on this particular area of writing"? etc.

This type of questioning sets framework of interview and is a useful tool when digging for significant information. (also you will have plenty of useable material at end of interview).

Write up any information within hours of interview if possible or at least within a day or so. You want to have interview fresh in your mind.

As a courtesy, offer to send person you have just interviewed a copy of your article or url to your web site and send them a free copy of your finished ebook or recording.

To learn ALL secrets of doing successful telephone interviews and profiting from them click on link below and get yourself a copy of "Other People's Info". You won't regret it and you have absolutely nothing to lose. It's guaranteed! http://www.nichexplosion.com

While there were likely a few potential clients who saw or heard your ad vast majority of those you reached simply had no need for your products or services. What’s more, those who might indeed have a need for your product or service were likely not actively seeking what you sell at moment they saw your ad.

You can improve response to your advertising by marketing to a smaller but more focused audience. Your ad will not only appear in front of those who have a need for what you sell, it will be seen by more people who are actively seeking what you provide.

Take some time to identify periodicals and other ad vehicles that serve your market and fit your budget and then place your ads in front of a smaller but more specialized audience. You will sell more and get more for your advertising dollar. It’s amazing what a spear can do.

Sharpness Matters Too Even if you trade in your marketing net for a spear (focus your market) your marketing results may still be disappointing if your spear is dull - you may squarely hit a fish with tip of your spear but if it is not sharp fish may squirm away.

You can perpetually keep your spear sharp with an outstanding marketing message. Your marketing message should speak directly to your buyers and clearly communicate why they should buy from you. If it does not your future customers won’t ever take notice of you, even if you are ideal solution for their needs.

Many small business owners use a poor and ineffective marketing message because they do not fully appreciate value of a good one. A strong marketing message will be noticed by those most likely to become your clients and will work to get your prospects to take action you want them to take: visit your store or web site, contact you for more information and ultimately, buy from you.

Take some time to examine your marketing message. If you get sense that it isn’t very focused, it probably isn’t. What words and phrases can you use to sharpen it up?

Move Your Marketing Forward Get rid of your net and sharpen you spear. Even if you hate to fish or have never gone fishing, you’ll find yourself looking forward to every opportunity to wade into knee deep water.

Copyright 2005 Jeremy Cohen, Better Marketing Results. All rights reserved.