I got these tips from my former professor, PDI publisher Isagani Yambot. Some are taken from Dr. Ink of the Poynter Institute.

When conducting an interview, remember the following:

1. Shut up.
2. Shut up some more.
3. Work from a list of questions and never veer off.
4. Shut up again.
5. Get there early. Stay late. Take note of the surrounding.
6. Interview a person on his or her turf.
7. Ask for other sources e.g. articles about the topic, photos, etc.
8. Write down things you see and not just the answers to the question.
9. Use your notebook to show that you are conducting the interview.
10. Put your notebook away in the end, but keep on talking. Ask follow-up questions. A surplus of information is better.
11. Hang around and watch the person interact with others.
12. Ask the most important questions more than once and in different forms.
13. Ask the slam-the-door (controversial and sensitive) questions last.
14. Shut up. Listen to the interviewee.
15. Fill out or copy your notes as quickly as possible.