How to read interviews and success stories
How to read interviews and success stories
You have followed an old link. The publication that used to be at this address is no longer here: the former website's material was not preserved, and the guide does not restore it. In its place is a short guide to reading any interview or success story, and to preparing yourself if you are the one being interviewed.
A success story shows one path. It helps to ask how many people took the same path and what the story leaves out.
About this address
Archive · material not preserved
This address used to host an interview with a woman entrepreneur, published by the former website that ran on this domain. The text of the interview was not preserved.
We do not retell that interview or write about the person interviewed. The current guide has no connection with the former project, does not publish interviews and does not write about specific people or companies.
Six questions to ask of any success story
- What has been left out of the story: the starting conditions, help, money, failures, time and luck?
- Is this survivorship bias: how many people tried the same thing, and how many of them did not succeed?
- Who wrote the piece and why is it being published: to tell a story, to sell a course or to attract clients?
- Does the text contain verifiable facts and dates, or only impressions and generalities?
- Is it advertising: is a sponsor named, are there links to paid products?
- Does it apply to you: are your resources, market, timing and goals similar to the conditions of the person in the story?
How to prepare for an interview yourself
If you are invited to give an interview, first ask the publication about the topic, format and length, and where the piece will appear. Settle on two or three main points you want to get across and prepare a short example for each. Think about what you are not prepared to discuss, such as income, family or clients, and say so in advance. Check any figures and dates you intend to mention. Agree on whether you can see the text before publication, at least to check the facts. Do not promise readers guaranteed results: an honest account of the difficulties is more useful than a polished story with no mistakes.
Related sections
Sources
- Encyclopaedic sources
- Ladiescode guide materials
Information is current as of the date of preparation. Tax rules, rates and labour law change, so check the latest details in the primary sources: the website of the Federal Tax Service of Russia and the current wording of the laws.