How do you recruit interviewees for your research project
when you've got zero contacts and no idea where to start?
[eerie western music]
[music intensifies]
One year into my PhD, I was about to embark
on my fieldwork adventure in the film and TV industry.
I quickly discovered that the film and TV industry is one of these
"closed spaces" that can be really hard to navigate
when you don't work in the industry yourself.
I got lots of helpful advice from my supervisors
and I also closely read the methodology sections of studies
that resembled mine.
But still, you know, it's a bit of trial and error.
You have to figure out what works in your specific context.
So... [western music]
Here are six basic steps to follow when you're about to
recruit interviewees, but don't really know where to start.
[western music feat. whistling]
Point number one: Specify your target group. [sound of gunshot]
In my case, I focus on screenwriters, directors, and producers
working in Europe.
These people had to tick a few boxes for them to be
relevant for my study.
I found that having some criteria - but and then also fine-tuning
the criteria along the way was really helpful.
In terms of then finding the actual names of people,
you'll have to embrace your inner secret agent or detective. [western music feat. acoustic guitar]
First of all, I looked at press media releases
from these big streaming services. [distant cowboy vocals]
I also looked at company websites, industry networks,
relevant social media accounts.
All over the Internet, it felt like at least.
When you've then found some names, and you're thinking:
"Hmm, might be worth reaching out to this person."
Compile all of those names in a kind of database or a spreadsheet.
It's a helpful way to track your progress along the way,
and I open up my spreadsheet every single day and use it
one way or another.
[western music with person whistling]
Point number two: Write an effective approach email. [sound of gunshot]
Now, you might be thinking:
"I'm not ready to send an email."
But I would recommend writing it anyways.
It makes it crystal-clear for you what you're actually looking for
and what you hope to get out of the interview.
Why are you contacting them?
What's the kind of particular knowledge that only they have?
You want to put yourself in the shoes of the person
you're about to approach.
What kinds of questions will they be wondering about?
How much time will it take? What do they get out of it?
And is it confidential?
The goal is to convince people you're doing important research -
and that they'll add really valuable input to it by participating.
And you basically want to communicate that it will be worth
their while to commit the time and the energy
to talk to you for, say, an hour or an hour and a half.
[western music with whip cracks]
[sound of gunshot]
Point number three: Get the word out.
Maybe you've got their contact details.
If so, go ahead and contact them.
Oftentimes in these closed industries, it's not that simple,
and you might have to find other ways of getting a hold
of these email addresses.
For film and TV people, it's actually really helpful to look at
professional databases.
You may only find the contact information of this
particular person's agent. But that's not bad either,
because agents - it turns out - are friendly, helpful people.
A lot of the agents I contacted forwarded my request
to the person I was looking to contact.
That leads me to my next point - gatekeepers and networks.
What are the kinds of organisations and institutions
that they would find trustworthy?
Getting gatekeepers to post on their social media channels
is a lot better in my experience.
[western music - slow acoustic guitar]
Point number four: Follow up.
Since your interview is something they don't really have to do,
it's easy to put it at the very bottom of their to-do list.
So following up is absolutely necessary.
A lot of people also won't reply.
But when you contact enough people -
you contact more than you actually need -
you do get the interviews you need in the end.
And that feeling when you then get a positive reply...
The interview is in the diary - it's going to happen.
[western music feat. cowboy choir, acoustic guitar, and whip cracks]
Point number five: Snowball. [sound of snowball throw and hit]
[footsteps and slow western music]
[music intensifies]
I always end my interviews with asking if the person I'm
talking to can recommend anybody else.
I have to admit that some of my best and most informative
interviews have come from those recommendations.
The very last point is to keep a methodology diary. [sound of gunshot]
Preferably in a delightful colour.
Use this diary to record your thoughts, experiences,
and also general reflections on the recruitment process.
What are the barriers that you encountered?
If you have any tips or ideas for recruiting interviewees
in your specific field, write them in the comments.
Let's get the discussion going and help each other.
So... All there is left to say is: Let's get to work.
[western music with orchestra and twang guitar]