If you don’t think it’s fair that reporters always get to be the ones who ask all the questions, this post is for you — because they don’t.

Here’s the thing: A reporter is a human being, and a media interview is a conversation. This isn’t a job interview, so you don’t have to hold your questions until the end. In fact, right up front you can ask the reporter these three questions, which just might affect how and when you answer theirs:

1.    When is your deadline?
2.    What are you focusing on in your story?
3.    When will the story run?

Most of the time, the reporter will answer the first question with one word: “today” or “tomorrow.” Sometimes, though, you’ll get lucky. If the story isn’t due for another couple of days, a week, or even a month, you can ask to schedule the interview for a time that’ s convenient for you and allows you to prepare.

No matter when the story is due, ask right away what it is about. Your answers to the reporter’s questions may change, depending on her angle.

Likewise, knowing when the story will run could affect your answers. For instance, if the question is, “What’s your favorite recipe for bananas?”, your answer might be frozen chocolate-covered bananas in the summer, but bananas Foster if the article is going to run in the winter.

There are many other questions you might ask a reporter: Who else are you interviewing? Have you talked to my friend Joe Smith? Where will this article run? Would you please clarify the question?

But here’s one that seems obvious, but that lots of interviewees overlook: What is your (the reporter’s) full name and contact information?

Sounds silly, but unlike reporters who horde names and numbers like the world is running out of people, interviewees often seem to throw out the Post-It note with the reporter’s name as soon as the interview is over. You’ll realize, however, how important it is to have that little piece of information in your back pocket next time you want to call the reporter up and ask, “Interested in covering my next event?”