If you’re considering writing a family legacy book, interviewing family members is one of the most important steps. And hopefully one of the most fun and inspiring. While you might think you can go “off the cuff” because you’re interviewing family members, I highly recommend preparing; otherwise, the interview might go off the rails and you leave without any helpful information. (Ever sit down with your entertaining uncle who sidetracks you with hilarious stories of his youth?)
Here are 7 tips to help you when interviewing family.
- Have a list of questions ahead of time. You’re looking for particular content, so with family, it’s important to direct the conversation toward answering your questions. Otherwise, you’ll have an entertaining time chatting about current events, family issues, and work, but not enough time to cover the content you’re seeking. Be in the driver’s seat and steer the conversation to the topics important for the book. Now, if the interview goes in a different direction, but is rich in content, follow its lead. You want to give your family members enough freedom to share freely.
- Have fun. Be interactive. If you’re wanting your grandma’s coveted homemade biscuits recipe, why not make a batch with her and while you’re baking, ask about family stories? Or take a walk with a family member as you’re interviewing. If you’re conducting a long-distance interview, have them email or text you pictures that will trigger memorable content. Or go through pictures together if you’re interviewing in person. Sometimes a family member might feel uptight and nervous, so making the interview fun and interactive can help ease the tension.
- Record everything. Often when we’re interviewing family, we get caught up in the stories, we might not absorb all they’re sharing or the deeper meaning behind vignettes. Good to listen to the recording later and take notes of what you missed or what you discovered the second time.
- Be a reflective listener. Your family member might casually give you the highlights because they don’t know what is useful content. You’re mining for gold, so it’s up to you to listen to the stories that resonate and ask clarifying or probing questions. Even though you might have heard them before, listen reflectively.
- Take notes if you need a follow-up interview. Maybe you and your relative laughed over a hilarious memory that you forgot to ask certain important questions. Or maybe you need them to clarify something you missed. Write important points, questions, or insights as you’re listening to the recording, then use this information for the follow-up interview.
- Transcribe the interview. You might not need to transcribe word for word but lift important quotes and stories from the interview. If you’re short on time, but want the entire interview transcribed, you can use transcription service like Rev. You download the app on your phone or device, record the interview on the app, then send the recorded file to Rev via the app. They’ll transcribe the recording within 24-48 hours for a small fee.
- Highlight important quotes, stories, and content in the written transcription. This will help you save time and energy as you’re pulling valuable content from the interviews. This is helpful if you’re interviewing several family members.
Extra tip:
Thank each person you interview. Consider sending them a thank-you card for their time. They’ve invested into your legacy book and showing gratitude is an important step.
How about you? Any further tips you want to add? Please share in Comments below. Thank you.
Featured Image by Andrzej Rembowski from Pixabay