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Topic: Promoting My Work with Interview Subjects Praise
| Author | Message |
| CaliforniaWriter | Posted – 2/12/2008 1:30:04 PM | show profile I've been happily surprised that many of the subjects I've interviewed for magazines have sent me (via email) wonderful praise about the articles I've written. In the latest, a high-profile public figure pointed out specific aspects to my writing style that he appreciated. Initially, I was just pleased the interview subjects were happy. Now I'm thinking it would be nice to use their quotes on my website to promote my work. Would it be totally inappropriate to quote them without their permission? I think it would be, but since some of the messages were sent to me via my editor, I would rather not have to ask the editor to have to ask the subjects... and so on. What do you think? Any help would be appreciated. |
| CaliforniaWriter | Posted – 2/12/2008 1:32:59 PM | show profile Oops, it should be "Subjects' Praise" |
| write2rachel | Posted – 2/12/2008 1:40:18 PM | show profile Is there any way that you can contact them? I think it would be proper to ask... It would be one thing if they gave you the comments directly, then *maybe* I would say go for it. However, it seems like they don't even know that the praise was passed on. Some might be annoyed if you randomly quote them... ------ www.rachelcericola.com |
| CaliforniaWriter | Posted – 2/12/2008 1:59:19 PM | show profile Yep, that's what I thought, but was hoping I could avoid. Thanks. |
| observer | Posted – 2/12/2008 8:50:30 PM | show profile i would definitely contact them. they may also use you for upcoming projects or direct people to you. |
| CaliforniaWriter | Posted – 2/12/2008 11:21:30 PM | show profile Thanks for the nudging me in the right direction. I contacted my interview subject - the who sent my editor some really amazing comments about my work. He was not only happy to have his words quoted, but thrilled to do so. Again, thanks for the advice. |
| writesonwater | Posted – 2/13/2008 1:38:34 AM | show profile | email poster I am always pleased to get good feedback from interview subjects. The way it has been most helpful to me has been in letters to the editor and also in being able to say to prospective but gun-shy subjects "I interviewed Governor So and So and here's what he said about my work." I haven't tried the website thing, but I would think it would be okay if tastefully done and with their permission. But I would pick the best tidbits. Seems to me I've seen some site where a writer was praised by subjects, can't remember which. On a blog you could have an element that was like: What people are saying about Writesonwater's Interviewing Style: and then the quotes, perhaps in italics, and a link to the article online that ran about them. Or something like that. ------ http://writingporch.blogspot.com/ http://jlouiselarson.blogspot.com/ http://familyrootsandwings.blogspot.com/ |
| writesonwater | Posted – 2/13/2008 1:38:38 AM | show profile | email poster I am always pleased to get good feedback from interview subjects. The way it has been most helpful to me has been in letters to the editor and also in being able to say to prospective but gun-shy subjects "I interviewed Governor So and So and here's what he said about my work." I haven't tried the website thing, but I would think it would be okay if tastefully done and with their permission. But I would pick the best tidbits. Seems to me I've seen some site where a writer was praised by subjects, can't remember which. On a blog you could have an element that was like: What people are saying about Writesonwater's Interviewing Style: and then the quotes, perhaps in italics, and a link to the article online that ran about them. Or something like that. ------ http://writingporch.blogspot.com/ http://jlouiselarson.blogspot.com/ http://familyrootsandwings.blogspot.com/ |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 2/13/2008 12:59:11 PM | show profile Personally, I would be careful about using subjects of pieces as testimonials. Whether they like or dislike a piece doesn't necessarily mean you've done either a good or bad job journalistically -- sometimes the opposite. A subject can hate a piece because you included other points of view or zapped him when he deserved to be zapped. He could love a piece because you did a whitewash or PR job for him. Frankly, a lot of my best pieces, which won awards, were not particularly liked by some of the people I interviewed for them. And the most fulsome press I've gotten from people I interviewed tend to be for lesser pieces -- one-source pieces where I was more of a stenographer for their viewpoint than a journalist. A lot of editors, frankly, might be leery of you if your web page includes a lot of testimonials from interview subjects. You have to be sensible, and do this on a case by case basis, but generally the best testimonials are from people who have paid you, not those you interviewed. |
| chucho | Posted – 2/13/2008 1:52:29 PM | show profile Ditto on dribble's comment. Unless you want to wedge yourself inextricably in so-called "advocacy publication" and ban yourself from journalism, I would avoid portraying yourself as somebody who aims to please your interviewees. |
| seeattleme | Posted – 2/13/2008 7:29:50 PM | show profile I don' t think it's a good idea. While it's fine to hear praise from interviewees about what you've written, that praise should be things like"Itw as tough but fair" or "it was accurate". And you should allow that praise to travel word of mouth(Others ask the suject of your interviews about thestory) --not as part of your promoting your work. Also--subjects of interviews shouldn't ALWAYS LOVE your articles. That's not really good journalism, it's p.r. It sounds to me like you're not pushing the envelope enough--not pushing buttons, not taking risks. And I would be reluctant as an editor to hire you--unless I wanted a puff piece on someone or something. |
| dribbledrive1 | Posted – 2/13/2008 8:32:40 PM | show profile That really depends on the nature of the piece, though. You don't need to come off as a hardass and not every interview has to be tough. But a quote from an interview subject like: "I've never had a reporter spend so much time getting to the essence of my business. He got me to tell some stories that I'd forgotten." Or "He asked a lot of questions that really made me think." As least a quote like that is an expression of your journalistic technique and skill. --While it's fine to hear praise from interviewees about what you've written, that praise should be things like"Itw as tough but fair" or "it was accurate".-- |
| joyeuxnoelle | Posted – 2/13/2008 9:47:37 PM | show profile Thanks Dribbledrive, there was something about this whole idea that bothered me that I could not articulate. I don't think having sources praise your work will be the boon that you think, OP. |
| seeattleme | Posted – 2/16/2008 12:33:39 PM | show profile Let them praise your work, fine. But you don't advertise it. Journalism is about the truth--unbiased information. Unless you're going to publish the critical things interview subjects have to say as well, this smells bad. Instead of posting about this on a media board, ask a media professional --by that I mean a journalist or editor you truly respect in the business who is respected and has had a longstanding career. Ask a college journalism professor. Those people will tell you this WILL have a bad affect on your reputation. They will advise you not to do this. |
