How To Find Podcast Guests: 5 Strategies That Work

The interview format has always been a dominant podcast format, but do you know how to find podcast guests effectively to secure a high-profile guest for your show?

My name is Niall Mackay, founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts. As you may know, I am the producer and the host of two interview podcasts, Smarter Podcasting and A Vietnam Podcast. Hence, finding and inviting podcast guests is my expertise!

So you can trust me as I will share with you 5 ways how I find podcast guests for my show.

Why We Should Invite Guests To Our Podcast

For an interview-format podcast, inviting guests is a must. For solo or other formats, having a guest on a special episode can benefit you in many ways.

Having guests on a podcast does more than just switch up the voice on the mic; it brings fresh perspectives, new insights, and the potential for a wider audience. Here’s why having guests on your show is such a valuable move.

Check out 10 Best Interview Podcasts

Fresh Expertise and Stories

Guests can introduce knowledge and experiences we might not have, bringing more value to listeners. Even if you’re an expert on your podcast’s main topic, having guests means covering a wider range of subtopics.

Cross-Promotion

Guests may share the episode with their audience, whether it’s a social media following, a newsletter, or even other podcasts they’re connected with. This cross-promotion can be a great way to grow your own audience and increase your reach without much extra work.

When guests share the episode with their followers, you tap into their existing audience, potentially attracting new listeners who may not have been aware of your show.

Make sure to ask your guests specifically to share – many won’t remember to do it without being asked.

Better still, write the post for them and give it to them as a template to post, edit, or hopefully not, ignore. Saving someone time will go a long way to their posting.

How To Find Podcast Guests: 5 Strategies That Work

Establishing Authority

Bringing in knowledgeable or well-known guests can increase your podcast’s credibility. When you feature recognized voices in your niche, your listeners are more likely to view you as a trusted source of quality content.

This can lead to increased trust and respect from your audience, making them more likely to engage with your content and recommend your show to others.

Building a Network

Inviting guests opens doors to future collaborations, networking opportunities, and friendships. These connections can turn into ongoing relationships that benefit you in the long term, not just on the show but in other projects or areas of life as well.

Some of the guests appeared on my podcast, we developed a good relationship also. Eventually, they became my clients as they will think of my company first when looking for podcasting services. So don’t hesitate to expand your network.

Define Your Ideal Guest Profile

When you’re trying to find podcast guests, the first step is to be clear on who you’re looking for. Not every potential guest will be a good fit, even if they’re interesting. Having a clear idea of your ideal guest profile can help you choose people who will connect with your audience and bring genuine value to the show.

Understand Your Audience

Before you even think about guests, think about your listeners.

Who are they?
What are they interested in?
What challenges are they facing?

Once you know your audience, you can identify guests who will speak to their interests and give insights that resonate with them.

Identify the Right Expertise

Based on your podcast’s niche, decide on the type of expertise that will complement your episodes. For example, if you run a podcast about small businesses, you might want to invite entrepreneurs, financial experts, or marketers who can provide useful tips and experiences.

Create a Simple Guest Persona

This doesn’t need to be complex, just a brief profile you can refer to when considering potential guests. For example, your guest persona might look like this:

Main interests: [Topics that matter to your audience]
Key qualities: [Friendly, knowledgeable, engaging]
Experience level: [Beginner, expert, etc.]

It’s essential to have a mix of guests. Some should speak on highly specific topics that your core audience craves, while others may bring in broader, more widely appealing insights. This balance will keep your content fresh and help you reach new listeners without straying too far from your niche.

Defining your ideal guest profile not only helps in finding the right people but also makes the process of reaching out to guests easier. You’ll be more confident that you’re inviting people who will be a great match for your podcast, bringing value both to you and your audience.

5 Ways To Find Podcast Guests

Leverage Your Personal Network First

One of the simplest ways to find great podcast guests is to start with the people you already know. Your personal network can be a goldmine of interesting stories, expertise, and recommendations.

In my podcast, A Vietnam Podcast, I invited almost all of my acquaintances, from my friends, my family, and even my Personal Trainer! My topic is about Vietnam, and each of my expat friends or Vietnamese friends has their own stories and insights to share. Hence, inviting them as guests is a wise choice.

Here are some tips:

Start with Friends and Colleagues: Consider inviting friends, family, or colleagues who have unique experiences or knowledge related to your podcast. You might be surprised by how many great stories or insights are close at hand.
Ask for Referrals: Even if someone in your network isn’t a perfect guest, they might know someone who is. A quick message or phone call to people in your circle, asking if they know anyone who’d be a good fit, can lead to valuable connections.
Benefits of Familiarity: Guests from your personal network might be more comfortable and relaxed on the mic, especially if they’re new to podcasting. This comfort can lead to a natural, enjoyable conversation, which listeners appreciate.

Attend Networking Events and Conferences (Both Online and Offline)

Networking events and conferences can be excellent places to find potential guests. By attending these events, you’re meeting people who are already interested in topics relevant to your podcast.

Podcasting Conferences: There are events specifically for podcasters, like Podcast Movement or Podfest, where you can meet other podcasters, potential guests, and industry professionals. People at these events understand podcasting and are often open to being a guest or recommending others.
Industry-Specific Events: If your podcast focuses on a particular industry, attending events in that field can connect you with people who have niche expertise. For instance, if you have a tech podcast, going to tech conferences can help you find experts in that area.
Virtual Events: Many conferences and networking events are now virtual, making them accessible from anywhere. Look for online webinars, summits, or networking sessions where you can connect with people who have the right experience and insights.

Moreover, I usually attend events specifically for networking, where you can meet many people from different industries and we can exchange our business cards and establish new relationships.

Use Social Media to Find and Engage Potential Guests

Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with potential podcast guests. You can find people who are experts, influencers, or simply have interesting stories to share. Here’s how to use each major platform effectively:

LinkedIn

This is one of the best platforms for finding professionals with specific expertise. You can search by industry, job title, or location to find people who match your guest profile. When reaching out on LinkedIn, keep your message short and personal. Explain why you think they’d be a great fit for your show and what your audience would gain from their insights.

I have just started using this platform recently, and it totally changed my mind. I could connect with many other podcaster fellows, and industry experts or even find potential clients as well.

X (Fromerly known as Twitter) and Instagram

These platforms are great for discovering and connecting with influencers and creators. Look for people who regularly post about topics relevant to your podcast and engage with their content by liking, commenting, or sharing. Building a bit of rapport before sending an invite can make them more likely to accept.

Facebook Groups and Subreddits

There are many podcast-related groups on Facebook and subreddits dedicated to specific interests where you can find potential guests. Look for groups related to your podcast’s niche, as well as groups specifically for podcasters. Engage genuinely with the community by participating in discussions or posting interesting topics before you start directly asking for guests.

Note: Using social media can help you find potential guests and, just as importantly, establish a connection before you invite them onto your podcast.

Explore Podcast Guest Matching Platforms

If you’re looking for a more streamlined way to find podcast guests, podcast guest-matching platforms can be incredibly helpful. These sites are like dating apps but for podcasters and guests, designed specifically to help you connect with people who are interested in appearing on podcasts.

Popular Platforms

Some well-known platforms include:

MatchMaker.fm
Podchaser
Podbooker

These platforms have profiles for potential guests, listing their areas of expertise and the types of podcasts they’re interested in joining. You can browse by topic, guest background, or other categories, making it easy to find people who match your ideal guest profile.

How to Stand Out

When reaching out on these platforms, personalize your message. Guests are more likely to respond when they see that you’ve actually taken the time to understand what they offer and how they fit into your show.

Using Reviews and Recommendations

Many of these platforms let you read reviews or testimonials from other podcasters who’ve hosted the guest. This feature can be incredibly useful in assessing whether a potential guest would be a good fit for your style and audience.

Approach Thought Leaders and Influencers Directly

Sometimes the best guests are people you admire from a distance — authors, experts, influencers, or other thought leaders in your field. Reaching out to them directly may feel intimidating, but with a thoughtful approach, you might be surprised by how many people are open to appearing on podcasts.

Tips for successfully pitching a guest:

Crafting a Strong Pitch: When reaching out, focus on what the guest will gain by appearing on your podcast. Let them know who your audience is, why they’d find the guest’s story or expertise valuable, and any benefits the guest could gain, like exposure to a new audience.
Understand the Guest: Before sending a pitch, take time to learn about the guest. Mention a recent book, article, or project they’ve worked on to show you’re genuinely interested in them. A personalized, well-researched message stands out and shows that you’re serious.
Offer Flexibility: Many thought leaders are busy, so offer flexibility in terms of scheduling. Be willing to accommodate their schedule as much as possible, and let them know how long the recording will take.

Approaching thought leaders directly may take time, but it can be well worth the effort. These guests often bring unique insights and draw in new listeners.

Best Practices – Maintain a Pipeline of Potential Guests

Keeping in touch with potential guests — or even those who turned down an invitation — is valuable for building long-term relationships. Here are some good practices to stay connected, add value to them, and make it more likely they’ll say yes in the future.

Follow Them on Social Media and Engage Genuinely

Follow them on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram and engage with their content by liking, commenting, or sharing posts that genuinely interest you.

Mention or share their work when it aligns with your podcast’s topics. It keeps you on their radar and shows you respect their expertise.

Send Periodic Updates or Newsletter Invitations

Occasionally update them on your podcast’s milestones or share popular episodes they might be interested in. If you have a newsletter for your podcast, consider sending them an invite to join.

Send a Friendly Follow-Up to Those Who Rejected

For guests who declined, thank them again and let them know they’re always welcome if they’re interested in the future. Politely ask if they’d be open to a future invitation or if they’d like to be considered for another episode down the line.

Create a Guest CRM or Pipeline for Follow-Ups

Maintain a list of past and potential guests with notes on each. Include when you last reached out, what they’re working on, and any other relevant details.

Conclusion – How To Find Podcast Guests

Finding great podcast guests is about building relationships and creating meaningful content for your listeners. By defining your ideal guest and using my tips, I hope you can find an outstanding and suitable guest for your next episode.

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Podcasters out there, if you have your podcast community with dedicated listeners, it’s time to turn them into loyal buyers! Let me help you with 5 secrets in my FREE E-book!

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