Interview Prep for Subject Matter Experts

Checklist 2 min
Download 
Use this pre-interview checklist to thoroughly prepare a subject matter expert for any type of interview.

A successful interview begins with extensive planning. The more prepared a subject matter expert is, the more confident and relaxed they will be, which makes for a smooth interview.

Follow this checklist to ensure you set your SME up for success by thoroughly preparing them for an interview.

  • Prepare and provide SME with a package that includes:
    • A briefing card.
    • The reporter's bio.
    • Supplementary documents (such as associated articles relevant to the interview topic).
    • The media kit given to the reporter, if available.
    •  

  • Plan interview choreography.
    • Provide SME with date, time and location of interview (where everyone will sit, who will start the call, who will make intros, etc.).
    • Oversee the operation and walk the SME through the entire process to get them comfortable with the plan.
    • Discuss ground rules (interview length, topic, on the record, attribution, security, accuracy, propriety and policy).
    • Discuss public affairs officer and SME roles during the interview.
    •  

  • Brief SME on reporter background and focus.
    • Provide an understanding of the reporter’s focus and request for the interview.
    • Share other interviews the reporter has set up, if applicable.
    • Review the reporter’s wish list (which questions they hope to ask/have answered, if available).
    • Discuss prior conversations held with the reporter.
    • Review the media outlet to provide ideas on how to report the topic.
    •  

  • Review briefing card with SME.

    • Tie the interview to the command’s priorities.
    • Identify the desired end-state and desired public.
    • Explain why the SME is a good fit for this interview on this topic with this reporter to meet this command objective.
    • Review the command narrative with the SME.
    • Discuss the theme, messages and talking points.
    •  

  • Rehearse and provide feedback/actionable interview tips.

    • Ask possible questions relevant to the interview topic.
    • Provide feedback for the SME’s responses.
    • Discuss stronger ways to answer questions.
    • Tie responses to end-state.
    •  

  • Prepare for the day of the interview.

    • Prep the SME within 20 minutes.
    • Maintain composure, a confident tone and adequate eye contact with minimal use of notes.
    • Arrive appropriately dressed (military follows service standards; civilians follow the DINFOS dress code).
    •  

Discover More You May Like

View All Checklists
Lt. Cmdr. Beatriz Talerico, assigned to Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific discuss daily tasks with a fellow Sailor. The Department of the Navy (DON) celebrates Women's History Month to commemorate the contributions of military and civilian women to the DON. (U.S. Navy photo by Anna Marie G. Gonzales)

Annex F Development

Template
1 min
Use this template to develop an Annex F to provide additional details and guidance for an OPLAN.
Chaplain (Maj.) Kimberly Hall, installation chaplain, talks with a military spouse in her office at the base chapel at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., March 8. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Jerry Saslav)

Persona Framework

Template
1 min
Customize this template to capture audience personas that fuel content strategy.
A hand holds a magnifying glass over two people, with one person outside of the magnifying glass.

Gain Audience Insight with Personas

Article
6 min
Explore how personas help promote strategic content creation and improve audience engagement.
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman hosts a Town Hall meeting in the Pentagon, Arlington, Va., May 23, 2023.

Understanding Your Audience 101

Collection
5 items
These resources help you research and identify certain aspects of your audience for effective communication.
A person holding a megaphone, one reading a newspaper, another using a smartphone and someone looking at a computer.

Relevant Actor Construct

Article
4 min
Learn who relevant actors are and how they impact narratives and information efforts.
Illustration showing six people, some with laptops, having a discussion around a table. The background contains integrated digital symbols that represent a website, instant message, text, graphs and a lightbulb.

Stakeholder Analysis

Article
4 min
Learn how to categorize your stakeholders to prioritize and tailor communication and achieve your goals.

View More