Quote:
Originally Posted by Griff Owens
I'm meeting with someone for lunch shortly and I want to interview him for the subject matter of a e-book or course I'm doing. I want him to provide some general information, and am also thinking of doing a recorded conversation.
Could I offer him a percentage of the sales? How much? Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks.
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Hi Griff,
I think it depends on the position that person is in. Do they have a product to sell, or a web site which they sell things from?
I can confirm what Don said, which is that - you'd be surprised, but many (possibly most) people who are interviewed for audio recordings/CDs in the business market do not get paid!
They're "paid" in the extra "traffic" they'll get for their web site, which will make them some sales... At some seminars, the speakers are "paid" in the extra sales they expect to make as a result of the wider exposure. (Sometimes it's as explicit as making sales in the back of the room, right after their talk.)
This is just like interviews you see on Jay Leno / Conan O'Brien / David Letterman. Notice how, near the end of the interview, they always give a "plug" to the "product" - which on those shows is usually a movie, TV show, book, or CD. You can follow the same principle in your interviews - near the end of the interview, give a "plug" to the interviewee's "product" and encourage people to get it.
However, this wouldn't work for everyone - since not everyone has a product to sell!
Another motivation to be interviewed is an "ego-boost". Everyone likes to feel "important". If being interviewed by you, and having lots of people wanting to listen or read what they have to say will make them feel important, then some people will do it for that reason.
(This is often why people will be thrilled to be interviewed by a journalist. A lot of people love to see their face on TV, or hear their voice on radio - and by extension, to see their name "in lights" on a web site too!)
Another reason someone would be happy to be interviewed is a genuine desire to help others. If this interview will help other people, some people will do the interview for that reason.
Which motivation will be the "dominant" one could depend on the precise topic of the interview! (Of course, all 3 of these reasons could be a factor!)
I hope that helps...
- Dien