Holding recorder in your non-writing hand allows you to operate on/off button and to write any notations if needed with your other hand.

Never thrust recorder in a persons face as they will feel self-conscious, causing them to become tongue-tied and awkward.

Use your notebook for accurate spelling of names (companies,locations etc), jotting down a few main points and perhaps some question reminders for later.

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

Listen carefully to what is being said and be sure to understand answers otherwise it will be difficult to write clearly enough for your readers.

If you don't understand something ask! "Can you put it into simpler language?" or "Can you clarify that a little more".

If a person is evasive of 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. Don't do too many off record interviews as they don't contribute to information you require (your time is valuable). Always Guide interview process, but don't dominate it. If person strays too far from subject at hand,then quickly guide person back. Don't forget to turn recorder back on when interview proceeds again.

Tip: When you get home label your cassettes as you fill them so there is no chance of accidentally tapeing over information you want to keep.

Always Keep cassette on file in case someone should ever claim they have been misquoted.

If interview is likely to be in any way contentious cassette should remain in your file for at least a year or two.

=> Photographs with interview:

There are times when you may need to use a photograph of a person for project you are working on.

TIP: If you take photographs, always get a signed agreement before taking them and as a safeguard for yourself have them sign a Model Release Consent form. There have been many 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.

Take any photos you require at end of an interview when person is relaxed.

If possible have person do something that is relevant to interview rather than just standing or sitting.

Alternatively photograph person in surroundings that have meaning to theme of interview.

If this is not possible then just take a mug shot (a facial close up) that you can use.

Note: People will sometimes cross out word electronic on a consent form and only permit their photo to be used in a print publication. For a variety of personal reasons they may not want their picture to be used on 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 not.

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 information within hours of interview if possible or at least within a day or so.

As a courtesy, offer to send person you have just interviewed a copy of your article (send them a press clipping) or to send them a free copy of your finished ebook.

NOTE: The person being interviewed does not get any payment for doing an interview.

* Bit by Bit, The Amazing Power of Five Minutes

This section emphasizes devoting a simple five minutes to gradual progress toward seemingly huge goals on a daily basis. Slow and steady wins race might describe this approach. He refers to this technique throughout book in varied ways to suggest that progress doesn't have to be measured in tireless devoted hours of struggle, but can be achieved much more easily "bit by bit."

* Moments, The Secret of Life

As a teenager, I wondered what my life might look like as a two hour movie and imagined what little slices of time might make it to final cut (as I experienced one of my first identity crises upon finishing high school). Panella suggests that all of our lives are much like that and are defined by individual moments of positive accomplishment and that all lives are made up of a collection of small moments we strongly identify with and remember powerfully.

The striking concept he delivers in book is that we not only have that inventory of past moments, but that we should consider steadily depositing in a bank account of moments from each day, and further, that we consider investing to accumulate a wealth of moments. "Every day, consciously look to create significant and simple moments" to add to your "moments account".

* Maximizing Any Experience

"Before any event or experience . . . simply ask yourself how prepared you are . . . for event. You'll go through details in your head and take a subjective measurement . . . Then you'll ask yourself what you can do to make event a little better ahead of time. You'll repeat asking this question . . . listing your answers . . . When complete, you'll have a laundry list of actions to maximize event . . . You get to play armchair quarterback ahead of time. You pull yourself back and look at big picture with a chance to make positive changes. Something we fail to do more times than not."

"Maximizing almost seems too easy." Indeed it does, but what a powerful tool if we only developed habit.

The 26 Hour Day, I'm convinced, is a real possibility in terms of maximising events, investing in our moments with sincere gratitude and bit by bit, in multiple five minute increments, we can gain additional value from our alloted time.

Vince Panella has unwittingly given me blueprint for my New Years Resolutions for 2002. I'm committed to investing significant time to his program of continual success improvement over coming year.