Topic: Interview Script

[Tim Russ]

Ok, this may be the wrong area.  I maybe should post it in the Prosperity section but here goes.

I'm going to be interviewed for my copywriting exprience.  They tell me I need a script... What I want to be asked, how they'll respond, etc. 

Have any of you speakers faced anything like this before?  If so, how did you handle it?

[Ann Doupont]

Tim,

I haven't experienced this, but have heard of it. I think they do that in interviewing the guests on TBN.

Just imagine what kind of things you'd like to talk about and then write questions asking about those things. Actually, I somewhat did that.

I asked a lady to write her testimony so that I could revise it for publication...what I then did was to develop questions to her answers and break it up into paragraphs.

so, perhaps just write out what is your copywriting experience...then break it into possible questions that could be asked for which those are answers. As a writer, you shouldn't have any trouble writing a script.

Also, ask God...prayer works wonders, as I'm sure you know.

Ann

[Linda Woodward]

I have never experienced that, as I am not a "speaker" per se,  but what is funny is when you asked "how did you handle it?" in your post , my heart screamed an answer.........................."you handle it .....with grace."



Linda   

[Ro]

Tim,
I was interviewed for a local radio station and we did a pre-interview discussion.  I did not have to write the script but the host and I discussed what questions he would ask and I agreed and gave him an idea of what I would say. 

This is typically done so that an interview can flow and so they do not ask questions that we do not have answers for. 

If I was in your position (with the writing skills that you have) I would write the script much like an ad is written on the internet.  I would follow the flow of what is being discussed, what needs to the listeners have, what value does this product/service have for the listeners and then what is being offered for them. 

Tim, I think you are the perfect writer to do this. 

Blessings,
Ro

[Tim Russ]

Tim, I think you are the perfect writer to do this. 

"Aw, shucks", he said while kicking at the dirt.  "I guess I could try." 

[Ro]

 

You are bro!

btw...got the OK to book the travel... I will  be off to Tucson on Monday night. Pls continue to pray that God will show me what His direction is in all this. 

Thanks,
Ro

[Tim Russ]

Excellent.  I will.  He will.

[Jackie]

Hiya Tim

I wonder if this will be a live radio interview or prerecorded?  If it's prerecorded then obviously it'll be easier because the editor will just edit what is relevant to the interview.  What is a copy writer?  I know as a writer myself, I should probably know already, but I don't.  What do you do as a copy writer Tim?

I know when I was doing my work experience for two newspapers, I had to produce 'copy' for the paper, but I was known as a reporter, not a copy writer.  Is a copy writer the same as newspaper reporter I wonder?

I look forward to your reply.

Oh just thought, if it's a phone-in radio interview LIVE, then they may want listeners to ask you questions about your work.  I'm sure Tim you'll have the answers at your finger tips.  Regarding the 'script' if you're not all together certain of what the radio station want, you could always ask them to email you a type of script they've used before, a model that you could use to prepare yours.

I expect they will have told you how many minutes you will be on air, and so you can time yourself reading your script.  Have fun Tim, because after all, being relaxed and at ease and speaking freely and fluently is what I think the Lord would want.  Tell us what happens.

Oh dear, I just re read your first post Tim, and you didn't say you were going on the radio, Ro mentioned she'd been interviewed on the radio; sorry.  So, do you have to give a talk about being a copywriter to an audience, and then the audience will ask you questions, prepared questions?

[Ann Doupont]

Well, Jackie, I guess if it's a live audience, it can't then be edited...hehe

Ann

[Jackie]

  hehe, I'm in a really funny, funny-happy mood today.  I did some crazy things in town this morning.  Went to the bank and forgot my son's bank card; I was paying some money from my account into his account.  The lovely cashier looked my son's details on the computer and did a transaction for me.

Then, I went to the cash machine outside the bank withdrew £30, and was distracted by someone and walked away without taking my cashh from the machine.  I wandered around town for a few minutes before realising my mistake.  So went back to the bank told them what I'd done, and they said:  "Oh the machine would have swallowed your money back within seconds, so don't worry."

Sure enough, she came back smiling saying my money had been swallowed back.  They kindly sorted it out for me and I got my money.  Aww, I'm a silly girl at times.  I need to learn not to be distracted, especially when I'm at a cash machine.

I also met a lady in her 80's who I had never met before.  She told me her daughter died of breast cancer aged just 40; we chatted for a minute or two.  As I walked away from this lady I inwardly prayed we'd meet again so I can talk further to her.  She seemed a special lady and I so want her to know the Lord.

Oh just realised, this is a thread about scripts, oops, sorry Tim for talking about me; I have a tendency to talk about myself a lot and I've been criticised for it in the past.  Feel free to delete this post if you like.

I pray Tim that you are able to produce an excellent script for your talk, and I pray the audience will respond with really positive intelligent questions, and may you have many opportunities to speak publicly.  I also pray that more than anything the Lord will be glorified in all you do.

[Tim Russ]

What is a copy writer?  I know as a writer myself, I should probably know already, but I don't.  What do you do as a copy writer Tim?

I know when I was doing my work experience for two newspapers, I had to produce 'copy' for the paper, but I was known as a reporter, not a copy writer.  Is a copy writer the same as newspaper reporter I wonder?

The term copywriting can be confusing.  Don't be surprised that you don't know what it is.  Most of the people in the universe don't know what it is.

Here's the definition of copywriting that I'm using.

Copywriting is the art of putting together words that cause web visitors to be moved to make a purchase. It is persuasive writing that makes money from a web site. Copywriting can also be used for offline purposes but it's goal is the same...to use words persuasively to cause people to make a purchase.

Copywriting is a highly specialized form of writing that uses very specific psychological sales techniques in order to persuade people to purchase whatever product is being offered.  Copywriting is NOT book publishing, article writing, or song writing.

You can see an example of copywriting by visiting my web site. http://www.timruss.com
Another style of copywriting can be seen at http://www.timruss.com/recommends/lfm.

Other terms for copywriting are sales letter writing, web copy, or web copywriting.

By the way, I've worked as a newspaper reporter too.  Very fast paced work and heavy on deadlines.  Not my cup of tea.  I admire anyone that can consistently work for a newspaper.

Copywriters aren't reporters.  They're more closely associated with advertising companies.  If you've ever seen the AMC series Mad Men it's a big part of what they do.

Pretty much I examine a client's product or service, find a unique sales proposition, then write in such a way that I suck people into the information on the sales page until they can't escape.  It's a form of psychological manipulation via the written word.

Some people think that the profession lacks morals and that Christians shouldn't be involved in copywriting.  I disagree.  Using words the right way to help people make a purchasing decision is like holding someone's hand through a difficult situation. 

Any questions? 

[Tim Russ]

I wonder if this will be a live radio interview or prerecorded? 

Oh just thought, if it's a phone-in radio interview LIVE, then they may want listeners to ask you questions about your work.  I'm sure Tim you'll have the answers at your finger tips.  Regarding the 'script' if you're not all together certain of what the radio station want, you could always ask them to email you a type of script they've used before, a model that you could use to prepare yours.

I expect they will have told you how many minutes you will be on air, and so you can time yourself reading your script.  Have fun Tim, because after all, being relaxed and at ease and speaking freely and fluently is what I think the Lord would want.  Tell us what happens.

Oh dear, I just re read your first post Tim, and you didn't say you were going on the radio, Ro mentioned she'd been interviewed on the radio; sorry.  So, do you have to give a talk about being a copywriter to an audience, and then the audience will ask you questions, prepared questions?

Actually this will be a recorded session.  Unfortunately 'the editor' is me!   I have to write the script to create the interview.  I have a friend who will be the actual interviewer but she's just doing me a favor. 

The recording will be a viral product that will be released to promote my new product coming out soon.  It will contain some decent information that will help people and let them know that I know a thing or three about copywriting.   It's a preselling device to promote my prelaunch of this product.

The audio file will be placed online for download because of its inevitably large size.  It should last between 30-60 minutes.

The interviewer has done quite a few radio interviews.  She also teaches people how to do internet radio programs.  She's an expert at making people famous.  It's good to have friends.

[Tim Russ]

Oh just realised, this is a thread about scripts, oops, sorry Tim for talking about me; I have a tendency to talk about myself a lot and I've criticised for it in the past.  Feel free to delete this post if you like.

I pray Tim that you are able to produce an excellent script for your talk, and I pray the audience will respond with really positive intelligent questions, and may you have many opportunities to speak publicly.  I also pray that more than anything the Lord will be glorified in all you do.

Hey there Jackie,

Thanks for being sensitive to thread topics.  Don't worry, I don't shoot anyone for getting off topic.   At least I haven't yet...something to think about. 

[Ann Doupont]

Wow, Tim. Looks like everyone is giving their two cents worth here. You know what you then get? A pile of pennies.

Is that a new smiley? A devil? ewww.

Let's see if I can make one here. If not, all you will get is my trial and error. I'm putting a colon and then a 12.



Ann

[Jackie]

Some of what you have shared here took me back to some of my journalism lectures.  We had to examine photographs and text in the newspapers and then think why the designer had chosen certain fonts, size of text, positioning on the page of the text and photograph.  It was a fascinating module that really did draw me in, because before studying any of this, I really had no idea everything in the media is set up to draw the reader in.

We were given all kinds of statistics, and told how individuals 'read' a newspaper.  The photograph can be a massive hook, and the bold headline.  I haven't got my text book beside me to remind me of all the terminology of this stuff, but I remember what I learnt, and I know it works.

Mind you, now I know it works, I'm extra careful when I read or watch the media not to swallow it hook line and sinker.  I may come back and re read what you have written and comment further; we'll see.

I finished my university studies in 2006 because I really was beginning to feel inwardly pained at some of the things the students were being taught.  Our British universities have departed so far from God and His word; I cry out to God to intervene. My daughter's just graduated in Social Science, politics being her main subject.  Even my sweet daughter commented on how antigod her lectures were.  As I listened to my daughter talk about her lectures I couldn't help thinking the lecturers were deliberately wanting the students to not believe in God's existence.

I think maybe the reason I have shared this is to say, Lord equip us with communication skills to enable us to communicate Your word to the four corners of the Earth.  We have the finest Teacher of all, and His name is the Holy Spirit.  I pray Tim, His fire will burn within you as you seek to work for Him, and may all your readers and listeners discern the Lord within you.

Thank you for taking the time to explain to me what a copywriter is.  I decided I didn't want to be a newspaper reporter after doing my work experience.  I did sit with the subeditors for a few days and I really felt that was a job I'd be more suited to.  Mind you reading my copy, a subeditor may disagrre   I did well in my subediting exam, but to work as a subeditor there's a course I'd need to do.

Well, I've just been offered eight weeks work doing some interviewing work for the Health Commision, starting the 4th February, and I have to transcribe the interviews into a booklet.  I will take photographs of the interviewees, as well as putting the audio on CD.  I am taking my video camera along so I can put the interviews on DVD. So, I'm an all round multimedia lady