I couldn’t tell you how much time I spend each week sending out interview requests, just to see if maybe the owner would be willing to answer a few questions about their products, business opportunity, or services.

Around 98% of the people who respond turn out to be some of the friendliest people I’ve e-met.  That is a lot of friendly, and they make the whole interview (by email, in my case) process a positive experience.

The last 2% are usually made up of people who have been burned a lot by people casually inquiring about one thing, just to slap a charge on it later.  Or they are often hit with spam.

Those are also the ones that make me glad I am at a computer so I can take a moment and let them know that I am only interested in interviewing them, not running off with their life savings.

Etiquette Lesson #1: Don’t yell at the person emailing you just because they asked if you would like to do an interview for their website/blog/newsletter/etc.

Responding to an interview request in a manner that is nearly irate is not good etiquette.

From the side of the person contacting you, yes we do realize you receive a lot of spam.  In some cases that spam might be in the guise that they want to link to you, interview you, or share information about you.  Not everyone who contacts you has such devious plans.  Sometimes we really do just want to link, interview, or share information with no cash-value strings attached.  If we feel you have something to offer (product, opportunity, or information-wise) that would be of value to our readers, that is sometimes more than enough reason to give you a bit of free promotion.

With that in mind…

Etiquette Lesson #2: Don’t become demanding.  You are receiving free press.

It’s one thing to ask if you could have a specific keyword linked to your website.  It is another to demand that specific keywords be linked or you won’t do the interview.

When you’re approached about doing an interview, that person thinks what you have to talk about would bring something of value to the people who will read it.  Their readers.  Each person who reads it will become a potential customer or client.  It will create one more search engine listing for your business name.  With all that good, is it really worth the multiple keywords to tick off the person asking the questions?

If you just want to cover your bases, simply ask if they will be posting the link to your website with the interview.  In most cases they will.

Etiquette Lesson #3: There is nothing wrong with asking questions about the website/blog/etc. that will post your interview, as long as you at least look at the website first.

Why wouldn’t you want to know where the interview is going?  If their email listed their link, by all means you should check it out.  Look around a little.  If you like what you see, say so.  Compliment the website and ask your questions.  Just as we care about what we publish, there is nothing wrong with you caring about where your going to be published.

Etiquette Lesson #4: Read the whole email before you respond.

Nothing is more annoying than receiving a response to an interview request and being asked questions that I have already answered.  Just as often, I ask a question that must be re-asked in a second email because they didn’t read past the first paragraph.

Read. It. All.  The information that is presented in the email is there to answer a question that you might have.  Furthermore, most of the emails are no more than 2 paragraphs, possibly 3.  They’re by no means the size of this article, yet you’ve read this far.

Etiquette Lesson #5: Interviews are a great way to tell current and new customers about your business, don’t be stingy on words.

You don’t have to write a 5 paragraph answer to every question but you should consider writing more than 2 words.

This is the perfect opportunity to let people know a little more about you.  Be descriptive.  Tell people why you are so great.  Unless the interviewer tells you otherwise, they probably wouldn’t mind if you elaborate on your answers.