Recording a phone interview

Hi guys,
I'm doing my first phone interview with a book writer.

His agent contacted me to write a feature article based on the interview specifically with a Q&A section within said article.

Is it necessary to ask permission at the start of the interview that he's being recorded?
Or that kind of goes without saying?

I don't want to sound like an amateur by asking, but also want to cover legalities.

What is the norm in phone interviews?

 

Phone recording rules vary, depends on what state.

 

In California?

So how is phone interviews transcribed into an article then?

 

What do you mean?

 

California is a two-party consent state, so I think he has to ask the subject.

Just say "Hi, this is Jason, if it's OK with you I'll be recording our conversation today for accuracy. My first question is . . ."

Once you're done recording, either type up the transcript yourself or send it off to a transcription service.

 

Have never done the transcription service. Is it worth it, financially?

I love long, engaging interviews for feature stories, but goodness after 20 years in the business do I hate transcribing those 30-minute interviews.

 

I think it depends on the publication and the story. If you're being reimbursed expenses, I would always send out transcription work.

I use Rev dot com. It's a dollar per page, and worth every penny.

Record the interview on my iPhone, upload the file to my desktop, send it to Rev. Get it back in a few hours. Couldn't be simpler.