Starting a podcast of your own can be overwhelming. I get it! But being a guest on other podcasts is a great way of dipping your toe in the podcasting waters to see whether it's the right fit for you. But what do you do when you want to be a guest on other podcasts? How do you pitch yourself? And how do you make the most of the opportunity to leverage someone else’s audience? This episode will show you how to get started.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:
- Tips for pitching yourself as a guest on other podcasts
- The best way to write your pitch email
- What you should consider when you pitch yourself as a guest
TUNE IN TO THE EPISODE
Listen & follow the show on Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon
Here are three ways you can get started on your podcast guesting journey.
Number 1 - Facebook groups
There are a few dedicated Facebook groups such as Find A Guest, Be A Guest and Podcast Guests Connection. If you search ‘podcast guest’ all the groups will come up and you can choose which ones you wish to join. Do make sure that the group is active though. Alternatively, you could also post in the groups that you're already in.
There are also lots of podcaster groups like Podcast Movement. You could do a post saying you'd like to guest on more podcasts and whether anyone is looking for guests right now.
Don't feel like this approach is spammy. Be really specific about what value you can bring to the show, the types of shows you're looking to be a guest on and I guarantee that you'll have hosts responding in the comments of your post.
Number 2 - Podcast guest booking platforms
Platforms such as Podbooker and Wildcast allow you to find podcast hosts quite easily. Just create a podcast guest profile and reach out to podcast hosts that you think will be a good fit. Hosts might reach out to you as well. This is a great option as everything is in one place and you’re able to keep track of your bookings easily.
Number 3 - Podcast players apps and social media
This option does involve the most time compared to the other two options but could be more profitable as it’s more specific and targeted.
In the podcast player of your choice, do a search for shows that you’re interested in being a guest on. It might be you type in business or entrepreneurship or messaging - whatever your niche topic is.
From the suggested podcasts that come up, identify the ones that you think would be a good fit. I recommend starting with a list of ten.
Listen to a few episodes of your top three to make sure they’re the right fit but also to learn what the show’s about, what the host is like and the kind of topics being discussed.
Make a note of anything that stands out. Did the host share a specific story? Was there something that you have in common with the host? What resonated with you the most? Is there something that the host or a guest shared that you think you can bring a different perspective to?
Include the answers to these questions in your pitch.
I guarantee you, you will stand out against most of the pitches that they receive.
Hosts are pitched all the time so it’s important that your pitch stands out from all the others and grabs their attention.
Take the time to learn more about the podcast host. Look at their website, their social media, and read any articles that they’ve been featured in. Google them, and see what comes up and include any key information in your pitch.
When you take the time and effort to personalise your pitch the host will recognise this because all too often they receive pitches from people that are clearly copied and pasted. There’s no personalisation and it’s clear they’ve not listened to one episode.
What to include in your podcast pitch
- Keep your pitch short and succinct. You do not need a ten-paragraph essay. Podcast hosts are busy people who don't have a lot of time and a long email may be a turn-off.
- Use an email subject that grabs their attention. For example, be a bit more creative than ‘I want to be a guest on your podcast’. It might be a phrase from an episode or an article or maybe you have something in common that would pique their interest. You want to provoke curiosity and intrigue so that they open your email, read it and hit reply.
- Break down your email into five paragraphs.
Paragraph one is your intro. You may say you’ve listened to the podcast and what your biggest takeaway was.
Paragraph two is your bio. This is your time to introduce yourself and highlight your area of expertise.
In paragraph three you talk about why you’d like to be a guest and what you can bring to the show. This is where you can weave in information from your research. Always come from a place of ‘what’s in it for their audience’ because that’s the first thing the host will think. It might be you have a main topic which breaks down into 3-4 topics, which makes it easier for the host to see how you’d be a good fit.
Paragraph four is great for you to include links. If you’ve been on a similar podcast or if you were a speaker at a summit or conference, it might be worth sharing these as it lends to your authority and being the expert in your niche.
Paragraph five is your sign-off. You thank them for their consideration and mention that you’ll follow up in X week. And it's really important that you do follow up and not assume that it’s a no. The host might've seen your email and gotten distracted and forgotten to respond. Or maybe they’re not recording at that time but may reach back at a later date but just didn’t think to tell you. Any number of reasons may apply so it's really important that you reach back out. I would recommend 7 to 10 days from the initial date. So put a reminder in your calendar or your phone so you don’t forget.
TOP TIP: Pitch to smaller shows to start. It’s great to be on the big shows but it also means that they can be selective and some even charge a fee (which I don’t recommend you pay).
On average, for every ten podcasts you pitch to, you're likely to get about two or three yeses. So be strategic in terms of which shows you approach. For example, think about whether their audience is your ideal client. After all, you’re guesting to raise your visibility and attract leads to your business.
Conclusion
Have you ever wondered how to pitch yourself as a guest on other podcasts? It might feel like a bit of a minefield but it's really quite easy. In this post, I walk you through the process of pitching yourself as a guest and give you some tips for making your pitch stand out. So what are you waiting for? Start pitching!
Resources mentioned in this episode
Connect with Rosemarie
Are you subscribed to the podcast? I hope so but if not, why not head on over to your favourite podcast listening app and hit that follow button so you don’t miss out on any future podcast episodes? Click here to follow the show on Apple Podcasts.
And if you’re loving the podcast, I would love it if you could leave a rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts. I personally read every review and will even give you a shoutout on the next episode.
And it's super easy! Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to leave a rating and select “write a Review.” And that’s it! Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!
SHARE THIS POST: