How can you interview esports players and personalities effectively?

1 Research your subject

Before you approach anyone for an interview, you need to do your homework. Research your subject's background, achievements, playstyle, personality, and interests. Find out what they are passionate about, what they are struggling with, and what they are looking forward to. This will help you craft relevant, engaging, and respectful questions that show your interest and knowledge. It will also help you avoid asking obvious, boring, or offensive questions that might annoy or upset your subject.

2 Choose the right format

Depending on your goal, audience, and resources, you need to choose the right format for your interview. You can conduct interviews in person, online, or over the phone. You can also choose between live or recorded interviews, and between video, audio, or text formats. Each format has its advantages and disadvantages, so you need to weigh them carefully. For example, live interviews can create more excitement and interaction, but they also require more coordination and preparation. Video interviews can capture more emotions and expressions, but they also demand more equipment and editing. Text interviews can be easier and faster to produce, but they also lose some of the nuance and personality of the spoken word.

3 Communicate clearly and politely

Once you have chosen your format and prepared your questions, you need to communicate clearly and politely with your subject. You need to introduce yourself, explain the purpose and scope of your interview, and ask for their consent and availability. You also need to respect their time, privacy, and preferences, and avoid being pushy or intrusive. You should also confirm the details of your interview, such as the date, time, duration, platform, and expectations. You should also thank them for their cooperation and interest, and remind them of your interview a day or two before.

4 Ask open-ended and follow-up questions

During your interview, you need to ask open-ended and follow-up questions that elicit more than yes or no answers. Open-ended questions are questions that start with words like how, why, what, where, when, and who. They encourage your subject to elaborate, explain, and share their thoughts and feelings. Follow-up questions are questions that build on the previous answers, and show that you are listening and interested. They can be clarifying, probing, or challenging questions that dig deeper, explore different angles, or challenge assumptions. For example, you can ask "How did you feel when you won that match?" followed by "What was the most difficult part of that match?" or "How did you celebrate after that match?"

5 Be respectful and professional

Throughout your interview, you need to be respectful and professional towards your subject. You need to respect their boundaries, opinions, and emotions, and avoid being rude, judgmental, or confrontational. You also need to respect their expertise, experience, and achievements, and avoid being patronizing, ignorant, or arrogant. You also need to be professional in your demeanor, appearance, and language, and avoid being casual, sloppy, or vulgar. You also need to be attentive, responsive, and courteous, and avoid being distracted, bored, or interrupting.

6 Follow up and thank your subject

After your interview, you need to follow up and thank your subject. You need to send them a message or an email expressing your gratitude and appreciation for their time and participation. You also need to inform them of the expected publication date and format of your interview, and ask them if they have any feedback or corrections. You also need to share your interview with them once it is published, and invite them to share it with their fans and followers. You also need to maintain a good relationship with them, and keep in touch for future opportunities or collaborations.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?