Choose a place for the taping that is quiet, away from the telephone and other distractions. Make certain that all the equipment is ready and working. Check on sound levels prior to the interview. Have the interviewee sign a release form that donates the contents of the interview to the church or historical collection. Remember that a good interview is more a monologue than a dialogue.
Cassette tapes come in a case.
Keep the case. It protects the tape from dust. This ensures that what you recorded cannot be erased. Label the tapes. Write the names of both parties in the interview and the date on each side of the tape.