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7. RECORD your interviews -- even if you take excellent notes!. There’s no substitute for being able to replay
comments as many times as needed to get an accurate transcription of what was said. Minicassette recorders are cheap, small and easy to carry around. If doing a telephone interview, there are inexpensive devices that connect
recorder to your phone. NOTE: Some states do not allow recording of telephone conversations without
knowledge and permission of those being recorded. Some people do not feel comfortable having their conversations recorded. Whether doing
interview by telephone or in person, it’s always best to ask permission to record it. Just tell them it helps you to get their comments as accurately as possible because your note-taking skills are lacking. Also tell them that they will have final approval of their comments used in your ebook. This will ease their reluctance to have
interview recorded.
8. TAKE NOTES of
interview -- even if you’re recording it! Never totally rely on a recorder…
batteries can die,
tape can wear out or end without auto-reversing,
telephone connector might be hooked up wrong, etc. Always get as much down manually as possible to back up your recording.
9. TRANSCRIBE your interview as soon as possible. (Again, email interviews do not apply). This is particularly critical if your recorder failed and you’re relying on your hastily scribbled notes – and your memory to decipher them!
10. INCORPORATE THE EXPERT’S COMMENTS into your ebook. This does not have to be done in
typical interview Q&A format, but that is easiest. How you incorporate
comments depends on
writing style of your ebook. (This article doesn’t go into that.)
11. PROVIDE THE FIRST DRAFT of your ebook to your expert and ask him to verify
accuracy of
information attributed to him. This is important. The last thing you want to do is misquote him or get some of
facts mixed up. Plus he may even provide additional useful information as he reviews your ebook. Another added bonus… by getting his approval, you’re gaining his trust. If you wish to do follow-up ebooks in
future on
same general topic, it’ll be easy to get this expert to assist you again.
12. MODIFY
draft to incorporate
expert’s comments.
13. FINALIZE and sell your ebook! (This is
really fun part!)
14. FULFILL YOUR AGREEMENT with
expert. Has he been paid? Did he receive his copy of
ebook? Even if he did
interview for free and asked for nothing in return, send him a free copy of
ebook along with a nice thank-you note.
See? You don’t have to be an expert or write only about what you know. Virtually anyone can write about anything with
right tools. For more information on how to write and sell your own ebooks, visit http://myks.sitesell.com/propelprofits.html
