How To Obtain An Interview For Writing Celebrity Articles
How To Approach A Celebrity
Your starting point is a short and simple "to-the-point" letter requesting an interview. Your letter should clearly outline the article you intend to write and why you have selected that celebrity to interview.
You may also want to limit the number of questions you ask, or be specific on how detailed you would like their answer to be, as this may reduce the amount of time they have to spend on it, and increase the chances of them responding.
Remember, when writing to a celebrity, that you should always be very clear about what your article will be about, where you hope to have it published, and whom else you plan to interview for the piece.
Also remember that personalities or interview subjects are more than happy to be involved with articles, because it helps with their profile to be identified as an 'expert' or an identity. However, you should never take it for granted that someone should answer questions for your article.
Even though a subject may be keen to appear, personalities often have very busy schedules, and just because you have not received a response the first time around, doesn't mean they are unwilling.
Follow-up your email or letter with a phone call either to the celebrity (if you have their number), or to their publicist or manager if you have not received an answer after a week
Don't call straight away. Always wait a few days before you follow-up. All celebrities have publicists, press agents or managers who handle all their press inquiries. To gain access for interviews you would approach these people. Their contacts can usually be found in sporting, entertainment, and political directories on the Internet, if not, you should try their, managers, agents, employers, etc.
The Chicken or the Egg Scenario
It can be hard getting high-profile interviews without the promise of a high-profile article, but it can be hard getting a high-profile magazine to publish you without the high profile interview subjects. This chicken-or-the-egg scenario is one that freelancers who are just starting out shouldn't worry too much about.
With high calibre celebrities you may often not get a response, unless you can guarantee that your article will be published in a high-profile publication. Some of the bigger celebrities, sports personalities and politicians get hundreds of press requests a week, and they usually only take the time to take part in the ones they know will be good for their profile.
The secret is to set your sights on modest targets. You may want to try and contact more easily available identities and get their opinions. Rather than trying to contact high profile celebrities, you may want to try local or more accessible local celebrities. Also, remember to leave yourself enough time to get the quotes before your deadline.
Although the idea of approaching a celebrity with an interview request may seem daunting, in time you will realise it is simply part of the process of becoming a successful freelance writer. Writing celebrity articles will require you to step outside you comfort zone at first but it wont be long before it becomes second nature.
Do you have any tips for engaging celebrities? How do you approach well-known identities for your articles? We would be interested to hear about your experiences so leave us a comment below.
Fraser is a Freelance Journalist, Author and CEO of Pro-Content
Australia - providing professional online & offline content writing
services worldwide.How To Approach A Celebrity
Your starting point is a short and simple "to-the-point" letter requesting an interview. Your letter should clearly outline the article you intend to write and why you have selected that celebrity to interview.
You may also want to limit the number of questions you ask, or be specific on how detailed you would like their answer to be, as this may reduce the amount of time they have to spend on it, and increase the chances of them responding.
Remember, when writing to a celebrity, that you should always be very clear about what your article will be about, where you hope to have it published, and whom else you plan to interview for the piece.
Also remember that personalities or interview subjects are more than happy to be involved with articles, because it helps with their profile to be identified as an 'expert' or an identity. However, you should never take it for granted that someone should answer questions for your article.
Even though a subject may be keen to appear, personalities often have very busy schedules, and just because you have not received a response the first time around, doesn't mean they are unwilling.
Follow-up your email or letter with a phone call either to the celebrity (if you have their number), or to their publicist or manager if you have not received an answer after a week
Don't call straight away. Always wait a few days before you follow-up. All celebrities have publicists, press agents or managers who handle all their press inquiries. To gain access for interviews you would approach these people. Their contacts can usually be found in sporting, entertainment, and political directories on the Internet, if not, you should try their, managers, agents, employers, etc.
The Chicken or the Egg Scenario
It can be hard getting high-profile interviews without the promise of a high-profile article, but it can be hard getting a high-profile magazine to publish you without the high profile interview subjects. This chicken-or-the-egg scenario is one that freelancers who are just starting out shouldn't worry too much about.
With high calibre celebrities you may often not get a response, unless you can guarantee that your article will be published in a high-profile publication. Some of the bigger celebrities, sports personalities and politicians get hundreds of press requests a week, and they usually only take the time to take part in the ones they know will be good for their profile.
The secret is to set your sights on modest targets. You may want to try and contact more easily available identities and get their opinions. Rather than trying to contact high profile celebrities, you may want to try local or more accessible local celebrities. Also, remember to leave yourself enough time to get the quotes before your deadline.
Although the idea of approaching a celebrity with an interview request may seem daunting, in time you will realise it is simply part of the process of becoming a successful freelance writer. Writing celebrity articles will require you to step outside you comfort zone at first but it wont be long before it becomes second nature.
Do you have any tips for engaging celebrities? How do you approach well-known identities for your articles? We would be interested to hear about your experiences so leave us a comment below.
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Pro-Content provides specialist services in Web Content Creation, Website Reviews, Blog Management, Website Design, Blog Content, Article Writing, Advertising Text, Copywriting, Editing, Marketing, Internet & Social-Media Communication and more.
Fraser has published articles on gardening, landscaping, sports, leisure, travel, food, fashion, dating, health & fitness, crime, marketing, medical technology, publishing, film & TV, small business, franchising, finance, mortgages, real estate and many more popular topics.
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