When it comes to compiling a package for TV or radio, vox pops will more often than not play a part. They allow you to get the general opinion of a subject and can sometimes add the necessary balance to a news story. This aside, they’re never easy to get.

I’ve had countless experiences trying to get vox pops from people (both at university and in the work place) and it’s hard. If you’re one of those people that gets friends or someone you know to do it then you’ll learn sooner or later that it’s not always an option.

A few pointers you should keep in mind when you ask people to vox are:

1. Smile.
When you ask people and you’re talking to them make sure you’ve put on your best happy face. Nobody wants to talk to a grumpy gills or someone who doesn’t look like they are interested in what they’re doing. Also, try to charm them. People don’t always like appearing on camera let alone the sound of their own voice. It’s good to reassure them they aren’t there to act. They’re there to give there very important opinion (VIO).

2. Make it Easy
Make the question easy to answer. Not everyone is a politician so make sure the people you’re asking can answer it. Construct and open question that they can’t just give a yes no answer to otherwise you’ll head back to base with nothing more than a bunch of yeses and nos.

3. Ask lots of people
Don’t get knocked back just because the first couple of people you asked said no. I’ve been in the position whereby people haven’t even acknowledged my existence. This is no reason to give up. The way I think about it is, if you ask 50 people then you’re guaranteed to get the 5-6 people you need.

4. Don’t change the question
When I’ve gone out to assist in filming vox pops I’ve found some people vary the question. The problem with this is it tends to deviate further and further from the side you’re trying to show. This is not an interview so don’t think you need to run on in with questions blazing. You just need one. Ask everyone the same one in hopes that you’ll get balance for your story.

5. Testing. Testing. One, Two.
Check that your equipment is working! If your sound isn’t working and you’re filming voxes then you’ll come back with a whole load of nothing. Don’t rely on the cameraman/woman to have pressed record. Check and check again to make sure you’ve got what you need before the person walks away. Recording audio vox pops alone is a lot easier and you just have to check your recording levels are set correctly.

And finally…

6. Enjoy yourself
The more time you spend hating vox pops, the less inclined you are to do them in the future. Everyone has to do them at some-point and they allow the public’s voice to be heard.

Hopefully these pointers help any nervous or previously knocked back student journos with conquering the skill that is vox popping.

For those who record vox pops on their phones for radio then I advise you use one of the following apps:

– Audioboo
– Soundcloud
– Voice Memos (Bulit-in iOS App)

If anyone has their own advise or pointers on how to conduct vox pops then please do comment below or tweet them to me @jordyjourno.