Navigating the crowded podcast landscape with millions of voices on platforms like Spotify can be overwhelming. Therefore, knowing how to pitch a podcast has become the gateway to open the opportunity door for podcast hosts.
My name is Niall Mackay, The Podcast Guy. I’m the founder of Seven Million Bikes Podcasts and podcast host of Smarter Podcasting. If you’re looking for a new way to promote yourself, let me tell you a secret: Being a guest in a podcast interview is absolutely one of the best ways to do so.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to expand your network, share your expertise, and amplify your influence. I used to be a guest on other podcasts, too. Therefore, believe me it’s gonna work. Here I will tell you how to have a successful podcast pitch.
Podcast pitching refers to the process of proposing yourself or someone else as a guest on a podcast. It involves reaching out to a podcast host/ podcast producer and presenting a compelling case for why you or the suggested guest would be a valuable addition to their show. The goal is to convince the podcast host that your expertise, experiences, or perspectives align with the interests and preferences of their audience.
Defining Your Objectives
Armed with well-defined objectives, your pitches become strategic tools. You can craft a podcast pitch that clearly communicates the value you bring to the podcast, making it more likely for hosts to see the alignment between your goals and theirs.
Promoting a Product
One of the primary goals for many podcast guests is to promote a product or service. Whether it’s a new launch, an innovative feature, a podcast course, or an established offering, appearing on podcasts is a great way to showcase your product.
Craft your narrative to highlight the product’s value, solving a problem for the podcast’s audience. Share real-life examples, case studies, or success stories to illustrate its impact.
Building Thought Leadership
Establishing yourself or your key personnel as thought leaders in the industry is a strategic objective. Podcasts are an ideal platform to share insights, expertise, and forward-thinking ideas. Develop a narrative that positions you as a go-to authority in your field. Discuss industry trends, share predictions, and offer unique perspectives that showcase your deep understanding and innovative thinking.
Earning Backlinks
SEO benefits can be a valuable objective for podcast guests. Strategically incorporate backlink opportunities during your podcast discussions. Direct listeners to relevant online resources, landing pages, or articles. Podcast show notes often include links, contributing to your online visibility and search engine ranking.
Increasing Exposure
If broadening your reach and increasing visibility is the goal, podcast guest appearances can amplify your presence. Choose podcasts with a sizable and relevant audience, ensuring your message reaches potential customers or collaborators. Tell compelling stories that resonate with diverse audiences, sparking interest and prompting listeners to seek more information.
Building Relationships with the Media
For those aiming to strengthen ties with the media, podcast appearances directly engage journalists, hosts, and producers. Approach each podcast as an opportunity to build relationships. Share valuable insights, respond thoughtfully to questions, and foster connections that extend beyond the podcast studio.
Build and Expand Podcast Networks
Building and expanding your podcast network is an ongoing process that requires active involvement. Want to start pitching now? Make sure you have built your podcast networks. If you haven’t, here are some channels that can connect you and other fellow podcasters:
Engage in Industry Events
The first way that comes up in my mind is attending conferences, meetups, and industry-specific events. These gatherings offer a fertile ground for connecting with fellow podcasters, potential guests, and industry influencers. Engage in conversations, participate in panels, and make use of networking sessions to forge meaningful connections.
Example: Conferences like Podcast Movement provide an excellent platform to meet and connect with diverse voices in the podcasting sphere.
Utilize Social Media Platforms
Social media is a powerful tool to expand your podcast network. Join relevant groups and communities on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter platforms. Participate in discussions, share your insights, and connect with other podcasters. Platforms like Clubhouse offer real-time audio interactions, creating unique networking opportunities.
Moreover, most podcasters promote podcasts on Facebook or X (Twitter), like/join their community if you would like to appear on that show.
Example: Joining podcasting-related Twitter chats or participating in LinkedIn podcasting groups can lead to valuable connections.
Collaborate on Cross-Promotions
Explore collaboration opportunities with other podcasters for cross-promotions. By featuring each other on your respective podcasts, you tap into each other’s audiences, broadening your reach. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of community within the podcasting landscape.
Example: A comedy podcast might collaborate with a storytelling podcast for a joint episode, offering a blend of humor and narrative.
How To Pitch A Podcast – Step-by-step
Step 1: Choose the Right Podcast
Selecting the right podcast is crucial for a successful pitch. Consider podcasts that not only match your expertise but also resonate with your target audience. Look into the podcast’s goals, values, and themes to ensure a seamless fit. Research the demographics of the podcast’s audience to confirm alignment with your target market.
Target podcasts that you’ve followed for a substantial period. Familiarity with the podcast’s styles, formats, and recurring themes is crucial. This not only showcases your genuine interest but also enables you to tailor your pitch to align seamlessly with the existing content.
Step 2: Establish a Relationship
Engage with the podcast host on social media before pitching. Follow them, comment on their posts, and show genuine interest in their content. Building a preliminary relationship can increase the likelihood of your pitch being noticed.
- Follow and Subscribe
After finding their official social media profiles, such as Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, follow the host on social media platforms, subscribe to their podcast, and engage with their content to understand their style and interests.
- Genuine Engagement
Like, comment, or share podcast episodes or snippets on your own social media, tagging the host and providing positive feedback. If the host conducts virtual events, webinars, or live sessions, attend them.
When the time comes to pitch, reference your engagement and express why you believe your expertise aligns with the podcast’s themes.
Step 3: Send Podcast Pitch Email
- Subject Line
Keep it Concise and Clear: Communicate your purpose directly. For example, “Guest Proposal for [Podcast Name]”
- Greeting
Personalized Salutation: Address the host by name if possible. Use a friendly and professional tone.
Introduction
Brief bio: Share your name and a concise overview of who you are.
Express Genuine Interest: Mention that you’re a fan of the podcast and highlight a specific episode you enjoyed.
Pitch Body
- Value Proposition: Clearly state why you would be the right person for the guest spot. Link your expertise with what the audience would gain.
- Relevance to Podcast Themes: Explain how your insights align with the podcast’s themes or topics.
- Propose Topics: Suggest specific topics or talking points for the episode.
- Social Proof: Provide links to previous podcast appearances, relevant articles, or any notable achievements.
Closing
- Call to Action: Express your interest in discussing your proposal further.
- Offer Additional Information: Mention your willingness to provide more details, an outline, or answer any questions.
- Contact Information: Include your contact details for easy communication.
Signature
- Professional Closing: End with a professional closing such as “Best Regards” or “Sincerely.”
- Your Full Name: Ensure your full name is included.
- LinkedIn Profile: Optionally, provide a link to your LinkedIn profile for additional credibility.
Step 4: Follow-Up
After sending your initial pitch, follow up if you don’t receive a response within a reasonable timeframe. A courteous follow-up email can reiterate your interest and provide any additional information that might strengthen your case.
- Patience: Allow some time for the host to respond, recognizing their busy schedule.
- Polite Follow-Up: If there’s no response, send a polite follow-up email after about a week.
- Add Value: consider offering additional value or information. If you’ve been featured on other podcasts, written a new article, or have relevant updates, share them.
If the hosts decide not to have you as a guest in their podcast interview, respect their decision gracefully. Express gratitude for their consideration and inquire if there might be an opportunity in the future. Building a positive relationship is crucial in the podcasting community.
Even if your pitch isn’t successful this time, continue engaging with the podcast on social media and through other channels. You never know when another opportunity might arise, and maintaining a positive presence can leave a lasting impression.
How To Pitch a Podcast – Podcast Pitch Example
Writing an email and proposal is the most important step. It decides if the hosts say yes or not. A compelling pitch not only showcases your expertise but also demonstrates to the host why having you as a guest would be beneficial for their audience.
Creating a template streamlines your pitching process. Develop a structure that includes an introduction, relevant experience, potential discussion topics, and a call to action. Customizing this template for each pitch maintains consistency while allowing for individualized details.
Podcast pitch template
Subject Line:
“Guest Proposal: [Your Name] – [Brief Topic]”
Hi [Host’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I’ve been an avid listener of [Podcast Name] for [timeframe]. I’ve truly enjoyed your recent episodes on [mention a specific episode or topic] and admire the engaging conversations you facilitate.
Introduction:
I wanted to reach out because I’m passionate about [briefly describe your expertise or field]. Having [mention any relevant achievements or experiences], I believe I could contribute valuable insights to your audience.
Why Me:
During my [number of years] in [your industry], I’ve encountered [specific challenges or trends] that I believe align with the interests of your listeners. I’m particularly excited to discuss [mention 2-3 specific talking points or topics] and share actionable strategies that your audience can benefit from.
Value Proposition:
Here’s a brief overview of what I can bring to your podcast:
[Talking Point 1]
[Talking Point 2]
[Talking Point 3]
Evidence of Expertise:
To provide a glimpse of my presentation style, you can listen to my recent appearance on [link to a previous podcast, if applicable]. Additionally, you can find more about my work on my LinkedIn profile: [LinkedIn Profile Link].
Closing:
I understand your time is precious, and I appreciate your consideration. If you find this proposal intriguing, I’d love to discuss potential dates for recording. Please let me know if there’s any additional information you require.
Thank you for your time, [Host’s Name], and keep up the fantastic work with [Podcast Name]!
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Contact Information]
How To Pitch A Podcast – Useful Tools to Help
- Podsearch
PodSearch is your go-to tool for navigating the podcast landscape. Once you’ve identified potential podcasts, leverage the platform to gain insights into each show. PodSearch provides samples from podcasts, allowing you to grasp the tone, style, and content of various shows. This is crucial in tailoring your pitch to align seamlessly with the podcast’s unique identity.
To streamline your pitching process, create a curated list of podcasts that resonate with your goals. PodSearch serves not just as a discovery tool but as a strategic resource to refine your approach.
- AI Writing Assistants: Jasper
The user-friendly interface of Jasper facilitates a seamless experience. Input essential details about your brand, expertise, and the specific podcast you’re targeting. Jasper’s AI algorithms then work their magic, generating personalized and engaging content tailored to your unique pitch.
Incorporate details about your podcasting journey, expertise, and what sets you apart. With Jasper, the art of crafting compelling pitches becomes a collaborative effort between human intent and AI precision.
- Muck Rack
Muck Rack, a versatile media database tool, provides the scaffolding for this relationship-building process. Start by using Muck Rack to find contact information for podcast hosts or producers. It can monitor responses, track engagements, and refine your strategy based on real-time feedback.
As you engage with podcast hosts on social media, Muck Rack becomes a valuable resource for extracting insights that personalize your outreach. The tool’s media database empowers you to tailor your pitches, ensuring that each communication reflects a genuine understanding of the podcast and its host.
How To Pitch A Podcast – Conclusion
The podcast pitch is your backstage pass to industry networks, providing a platform to share expertise, promote products, and enhance thought leadership. By strategically selecting podcasts aligned with your goals and building relationships with hosts, you not only secure guest spots but also cultivate a network that widens your reach.
When crafting your pitch, focus on showcasing the value you bring to the host and their audience. Highlight your expertise, experiences, and unique perspectives that will enrich their content. Demonstrate how your presence can contribute valuable insights, entertain, or educate their listeners.
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