One On One With Ethan Ijumba

 

When it comes to a field where interviewing is part of your job, transcriptions are the worst. The work, time, and tediousness that comes with transcribing an article is what I can politely consider as my personal hell where I’d rather be writing but it tends to come out with a better interview rather than letting myself include all the extraness. 

 

Transcriptions are a necessary evil in the field of interviewing. Even though their importance in capturing the exact words of the interviewee is valid, the process can be incredibly strenuous and time-consuming. At most times, it often feels like a never-ending task that takes away from the more enjoyable aspect of my job, which is writing. However, I do recognize that transcriptions serve a crucial purpose in building credibility for quality interviews. Not only do transcribed interviews ensure accuracy and authenticity in reporting, but they also provide a reference for fact-checking and verifying quotes. To better understand how I ensure making my interviews better I base it on these four qualities:

1. Accuracy: Transcriptions ensure that the information presented in your portfolio is accurate and reflects the exact words and phrases used by the subjects of your interviews. This adds credibility and authenticity to your work, making it more compelling to potential clients or employers.

 

2. Detail-oriented: Transcribing requires a keen eye for detail. It allows you to capture not only the words spoken but also the tone, emphasis, and emotions expressed by the interviewee. This attention to detail demonstrates your thoroughness and meticulousness as a professional.

 

3. Versatility: Transcriptions can be used in a variety of ways to showcase your skills. You can include them as part of a written interview or article, use them for content creation purposes, or even turn them into case studies or whitepapers on specific topics. The ability to adapt and repurpose transcriptions for different purposes expands the range of your portfolio.

 

4. Demonstrates professionalism: By including transcriptions in your portfolio, you demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and the quality of your work. It shows that you go above and beyond to provide accurate and comprehensive content, which can be highly valuable to potential clients or employers.

 

With that being said, transcribing also allows me to fully tap into an interview, by focusing, listening, and engaging with the interviewee rather than worrying about taking notes. Despite the frustration that it comes with, I would personally rather read a transcribed interview over a small paraphrased version. They help me craft a better interview by allowing me to analyze the responses more thoroughly. I can identify patterns, nuances, and key points that may have been missed during the actual interview. Transcribing also helps me identify any gaps, errors, or issues in my notes and prompts me to follow up on certain topics or clarify any ambiguities.

Ultimately, while I may dread the process of transcribing, I recognize its importance in my work as an interviewer. It may be my personal hell, but it leads to more accurate and comprehensive interviews, which is what matters in the end.

The relationship between the music journalist and the PR agent can be uneven based on the needs and wants that each side is looking to accomplish. Speaking from experience, I’ve worked with representatives of artists and producers who aim to market their representees at the highest level by creating mailing lists, sending out press releases, and organizing interview opportunities. This level of professionalism and dedication makes the music journalist’s job much easier, as they have access to all the necessary information and resources to write a quality article.

However, when it comes to the benefit of whose gaining the better end of working in this field. As a journalist there are times where it feels that advtanges are being taken as well as work for granted due to the requests of the PR agency. For example, some PR agents may not follow up on promises made, fail to provide necessary materials or interviews, or even disregard the journalist’s requests. This uneven dynamic can lead to frustration on both sides. Journalists may feel like they are not getting the support they need to do their job effectively and may struggle to meet deadlines or produce the desired content. On the other hand, PR agents may feel overwhelmed with requests and struggle to meet the demands of multiple journalists simultaneously.

As a journalist, there comes a pride in what you’re writing that many if not most want to uphold to the highest standard for the sake of their career. With that being said, the PR proffessionals may not understand what comes with the content journalist look to create for not only the better of their portfolio, but for the sake of their careers as well.

While it can ben understood that PR specialist have duties to accomplish and responsiblities to uphold. It is crucial for PR professionals to remember that journalists have their own agenda and priorities. In my opinion, it’s not always an interest for journalist to focus on promoting a specific artist or following a predetermined narrative.

Journalists value their independence and autonomy in shaping their stories which is why many work as freelancers. By recognizing and respecting each other’s roles and responsibilities, PR professionals and journalists can work collaboratively to create compelling content that meets everyone’s needs. Open communication, professionalism, and a willingness to understand each other’s perspectives can go a long way. Overall, journalists should maintain their independence and integrity, ensuring that they are not swayed or influenced by PR agents. They should conduct thorough research, fact-check information provided by PR agents, and seek multiple perspectives to provide a balanced and accurate report.

In what most people consider easy, the relationship between both proffessions need to work together but also understand each others place of where their coming from in order to achieve the best results for their goals. While there is a constant nature to the relationship between both professions, there can also be challenges. Some PR agents may put pressure on journalists to present their clients in a positive light or overlook certain aspects. Journalists, on the other hand, may feel overwhelmed by the volume of requests or frustrated by PR agents who fail to provide. To help with that, the relationship between the PR and jorunalist should be based on trust, understanding, and effective communication, it can lead to successful collaborations and the production of impactful and authentic content.

 

 

 

As a freelance writer, the most tedious yet important task that comes with my work is the responsibility of emails and ensuring that their handled in the quickest fashion possible, as well as being professional. One of the methods that I have found to be helpful in managing and responding to emails efficiently is setting up specific times for checking and responding to emails. Rather than constantly checking my inbox throughout the day, I try to check my emails at 10 AM, 3 PM, and 6 PM so that way I can solely focus on email tasks. By doing this, it allows me to stay focused on other writing tasks without being constantly interrupted by new emails. Although it can be stressful, checking emails as a freelancer is more than important. The opportunities that are available can be given by just sending an email that is well-written. As easy as it is to send, it can still be hard and give feelings of overwhelmingness at times. 

 

To better handle my emails, I also use filters and labels to organize emails by starring my most important and reviewing which are spam and/or junk mail. I have created specific folders and labels for different types of emails, such as client inquiries, project updates, or billing-related emails. This helps me prioritize and navigate through my inbox easily. When it comes to writing email responses, I always aim to be straightforward and clear on what I’m able to do regarding what the publicist or agency is requesting. When in conjunction with them, I prefer to lead the conversation when replying as for what the goal of the article may be and how it may be best fit around scheduling an interview for an artist.

 When all is figured out time-wise, I instantly look over, read, and listen to anything and everything that the artist has to learn more about them as well as request a press package. To better address all the points of the email, I ask the publicist if there are any specific topics they look to cover or discuss and provide any necessary information in a polite and professional manner. For what it is worth the saying is true, a little does go a long way in what starts as an email to becoming an opportunity that benefits both sides. In my line of work, most of my discussions and interviews with prominent artists have all been from an email form that I continue to check regularly. 

 

To better my balance, establishing a freelance email has been my biggest advantage in distinguishing myself from personal and professional lives. Establishing a freelance email has been crucial in bettering my balance and distinguishing my personal and professional lives from intertwining. To go along with that, managing my subscriptions and mailing lists of unwanted contacts is a major key to separating myself from what I have in my inbox, spam, and junk folders. I tend to try to keep my inbox down to 100-200 emails for the sake of not feeling so overwhelmed by them. However it is fairly hard to stay up-to-date on emails at times, I try my best to maintain the best methods that are advantageous.

When presented with an opportunity, I refrain from letting just the subject and opening statement determine what the opportunity may be. For example, when given the opportunity to interview an artist whom I may be unfamiliar with, I like to read through the email rather than just focus on the headline of the pitch to further my interest in the purpose. Once I’ve read what the email looks to aim and accomplish, I aim to maintain proper email etiquette by using clear and concise subject lines, avoiding excessive use of auto-replies, and rereading my messages to be mindful of my tone and language in emails. I always double-check my emails for any errors before sending them to ensure professionalism and accuracy. Overall, managing freelance emails efficiently involves setting specific times, utilizing templates, staying up to date with old and new emails, and keeping personal and professional emails separate has benefited my career a lot. By implementing these strategies, I am able to ensure that my freelance email remains a valuable tool for effective communication and organization in my freelance writing career.

 

 

One of my favorite parts of my job as a journalist is the opportunity to meet and learn more about people from what they do, where they come from, and the plans that they have for themselves to grow and improve in their field and as people. With that being said, I had the honor to interview singer-songwriter Maddie Zahm for Variance Magazine to ask questions about her recent debut album, Now That I’ve Been Honest. When allowed to ask questions about her, I go through a process to prepare myself that will best succeed in getting the best answers out of my interviewee.

1. Learn Everything & Anything: Having intend to learn more about the person I’m interviewing by reading and listening to past interviews they’ve done that are available on YouTube, podcasts, and other publications that they’ve done in the past. Doing so serves as a motive to relate to the interviewee as well as figure out if there’s anything where I can further that question on points that may have not been discussed. By reading or watching previous interviews the artist has given to get a sense of their personality, interests, and any noteworthy topics or experiences they have shared in the past. This helps me avoid asking repetitive questions and allows me to bring up fresh and engaging topics during the interview.
2. Compare But Don’t Copy: A major pet peeve of mine is asking questions that are not only dull but also commonly asked. I try my hardest to find new answers in topics that haven’t been something personable that the interviewee may have not shared. I try to find the key points that should be asked such as asking their musical influences, the inspiration behind their latest album, or any challenges they have overcome in their career. I use these points as a guide to structure my questions and make the interview more focused and compelling.

 

3. Research The Artist: Before conducting the interview, I spend time researching the artist to familiarize myself with their background, music, and previous work. This allows me to ask relevant and informed questions during the interview. Aside from that, I make sure to listen to the artist’s latest album or EP to understand their musical style and the themes they explore in their work. This helps me gain a deeper appreciation for their music and allows me to ask more specific and meaningful questions about their creative process.

4. Flex: While I have a prepared list of questions, I also remain open to spontaneous moments and unexpected avenues of discussion that may arise during the interview. This flexibility allows for a more authentic and organic conversation. When in the moment of the interview, I try to formulate questions while the interviewee is responding to the previous question by getting a deepened continuation of that answer.

5. Don’t Hate Appreciate: At the end of all and any interviews, I make sure to express my appreciation for the artist’s time and contribution at the end of the interview. To me, thanking someone for their time to fluctuate around my schedule and making time into theirs is the most important mention to make. Not only does this maintain a positive relationship, but leaves a good impression on any future potential interviews in the future as well.

 

Overall, when conducting an interview, the preparation process behind it is what I try to master since it’s more in my control than anything by what can best help the interviewee feel comfortable, as well as reaching a great interview in what can at times be difficult to figure out if there is more or less that can result in conversations that need to be maintained on the topic. By thoroughly preparing and staying adaptable during the interview itself, I can increase the chances of having a successful and insightful conversation. In my humble opinion, what makes a great interview is the ideas and creative preparation that comes from within the interviewer, rather than just the overall questions. Taking time to configure what needs to be heard and what’s never been heard not only gives the listeners a better understanding but also the interviewee and new message to share with those who want to learn and know more on a personal note.