What preliminary preparations does a journalist need to make when conducting a profile interview?

Hey, think of it simply: it's much like preparing to meet a very important person, hoping to have a deep and pleasant conversation with them. You certainly wouldn't want to start with awkward small talk or ask questions they've answered a hundred times before, right? So, preparation is all about avoiding those situations.

Basically, it can be broken down into a few steps:

Step One: Dig Up Everything About Them

This is arguably the most crucial step. Before you meet them in person, you need to learn as much as possible. It's like checking a guide before playing a game to understand the BOSS's background and skills.

Review all their 'public information': Their past interviews, books, articles, and social media (Weibo, WeChat Moments, etc.). This will tell you what public opinions they already hold on certain issues, preventing you from asking the same questions again and appearing uninformed. More importantly, you can find new, deeper angles for your questions from their previous answers.
See how others evaluate them: Search for news reports, feature articles, or even comments about them. This helps you build a more three-dimensional, multi-faceted impression, rather than just hearing what they say about themselves.
Understand their 'works': If they're an actor, watch at least one or two of their most important or recent films. If they're a writer, read their representative works. If they're an entrepreneur, learn about their company and products. This shows basic respect, and discussing specific works makes the conversation less abstract.

After completing this step, you should have a general profile of the person in your mind: what kind of person they are, what experiences they've had, and what you're most curious about regarding them.

Step Two: Clarify What You Really Want to 'Talk About'

Interview time is limited, so you can't ask everything. You need a core objective. Ask yourself:

What story do I most want to uncover from them in this interview? Is it their struggle story? Their views on a particular industry issue? Or the emotional journey behind their latest work?
What do my readers/audience most want to know about them?

By clarifying this 'core,' your interview won't be scattered, asking random questions and ultimately delving into nothing deeply.

Step Three: Prepare a 'Question Map,' Not a 'Question List'

Many people create a numbered list of questions and then ask them one by one like a robot. This isn't ideal. You should prepare a 'map' instead.

Design a good opening: The first few questions should be light and friendly, like a casual chat, to build trust. For example, start with a recent small update from them or an achievement they're proud of.
Prepare plenty of 'open-ended questions': Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple 'yes' or 'no.' Instead, ask, 'What were you thinking at the time?', 'What was the biggest impact of that event on you?', or 'Could you elaborate on that process?' These types of questions elicit stories and details.
Place the most important, most incisive questions in the middle: Once the atmosphere and trust are established, then ask the more difficult or core questions.
Be ready to follow up: The essence of an interview lies in 'follow-up questions.' When the interviewee gives an answer, you should quickly think: Why did they say that? What else is left unsaid here? Can they give another example? Your question map is just a general direction; the real treasures are often hidden in spontaneous follow-up questions.
Plan your closing: Prepare a question that allows them to summarize, elaborate, or look to the future, giving the entire interview a graceful conclusion.

Step Four: Handle Technical and Logistics

This is the most basic yet critical step where you cannot afford mistakes.

Check your 'tools': Is your voice recorder fully charged? Did you bring spare batteries? Is your phone on silent? If it's a video interview, are the lighting, camera, and audio equipment all set up? If these things go wrong on the spot, it will be very awkward and make you seem unprofessional.
Confirm time and location: Double-check the time, location, and estimated duration with the interviewee or their team.
Bring pen and paper: Even if you're recording, always bring a pen and paper. You can jot down keywords, memorable quotes from the interviewee, or follow-up questions that come to mind, preventing you from forgetting them in the heat of the moment. You can also quickly note down their expressions and gestures, which will add vivid details to your article.

In a nutshell: 90% of the effort for a successful interview is spent before the interview. When you're prepared like a 'temporary expert' on the interviewee, you'll naturally be confident and composed, and you'll be more likely to earn their respect and trust, making them willing to share more candid thoughts with you.