Russell Sherman of the “Press Profiles” podcast interviewed Forbes reporter Hank Tucker about how he profiles business executives.
Tucker joined Forbes as an intern in 2019, and he said it was helpful to watch more-experienced reporters such as Nathan Vardi and Antoine Gara and how they approached sources. He also did a lot of fact-checking and list compilation early on.
He said Vardi taught him how to use examples and numbers in a story.
In regard to reporting and writing profile stories, Tucker says his approach is to “figure out what makes them tick….details beyond a press release or an SEC filing.”
“What’s the best detail you got from your interview?” said Tucker, who says he asks questions like how a person named their company. “A lot of the best stuff comes from the second half of the interview,” he added, after the person has gotten through the talking points they have been given.
To listen, go here.
