DISQUS

Mathew's comments: Interviews: phone, email — which is best?

  • Eric Berlin · 2 years ago
    Mr. Calacanis is a master at drawing attention to himself -- even a non-interview ends up as above the fold Techmeme-fodder!

    I agree that while phone interviews can be far more intimate and can yield more interesting answers, e-mail (or IM) is by far the more efficient means of communication in the 24-hour publishing environment of the web.
  • steve · 2 years ago
    A good journalist knows which tool is best for which job. Email interviews work well with some people, with a certain kind of story. The advantage is speed and accuracy of quote. On the other hand, I wouldn't 'cross examine' an interviewee via email.
  • Ken · 2 years ago
    The reality is that a one-on-one conversation often results in a better understanding of what the person means.

    Sure, via email there is little risk of being misquoted but there is a huge risk of being misunderstood.

    As a reporter, efficiency does not trump being able to hear a person's tone, the subtleties of inflection, whether they are being sarcastic or serious. Emoticons do not allow me to write, "He chuckled to himself, then said..."
  • Mathew · 2 years ago
    I agree, Ken -- and good points from Eric and Steve as well. Thanks for the comments.
  • John Furrier · 2 years ago
    Hey Matt, the best format is a podcast or video blog :-)
  • Juha · 2 years ago
    I think it's hilarious - Calacanis ends up looking like a precious, misunderstood prima donna without understanding it. Old Fart Media 1 - Bloggers 0.

    Email can work for stories, but many, many people are not comfortable using it. Ken's comment is good, and explains rather well why The Meatspace Interface still rocks.

    Of course, I'm just being "ironic" here.
  • Pete Quily · 2 years ago
    Jason is the grand master of link baiting. Usually he has interesting content so it's not just hype. But it's true, it is ironic that a magazine calling itself wired and promoting all things digital is afraid to do an interview via digital means.

    He mentioned you and the Globe and Mail in his most recent podcast http://www.calacanis.com/2007/04/24/calacanisca...
    although he didn't know how to pronounce the mail part.

    Plus he said he's not sure who read the paper. Don't know if he really believe's it, or is just trolling for a Canadian reaction for link generation purposes.

    he mentions you about 44-45 minutes in the podcast.

    He says you're now an A list blogger.
  • Mathew · 2 years ago
    Thanks for pointing that out, Pete -- I'm famous!
  • Bryan Murley · 2 years ago
    I've come to appreciate instant messaging as a "bridge" between e-mail and phoners - and both sides can have a transcript of the "conversation." It takes a little getting used to so you don't step on each others' comments, and can take a while, but a sensible compromise, overall.
  • Joe Tao · 2 years ago
    just wanted to point out the whole thing is wrapped up with the phone interview,http://www.calacanis.com/2007/04/24/calacaniscast-25-beta/, in which you are mentioned a fairly long way into the discussion between fred and jason. Jason definitely has mastered self promotion.
  • tish grier · 2 years ago
    The real story here is, perhaps, isn't about which interview technique is better, but what's the difference between "kerfuffle" and "brouhaha"--and does the difference have to do with the size of the teapot in which the tempest occurs?

    oh, and congrats on your promotion to the A-list . ;-)
  • Mathew · 2 years ago
    Thanks, Joe -- and thanks (I think) Trish. I'm available for autographs between 3 and 5, and personal audiences, baby-kissing etc. in the evening for a small fee.