Podcast Essentials
Getting featured on a show as a podcast guest has many benefits. Not only does it help you to position yourself as a thought leader, but it's the easiest way to convert new audiences into listeners for your podcast.
You can even pitch for being a guest on a podcast without having your own show. But, the question is how to pitch so that the guest can’t say no and feels like they have to invite you on their show.
Listen to the podcast you want to pitch
Don't randomly pitch any host without listening to their show and understanding the format. Instead, listen to the show and present them with a compelling idea that complements their format.
You must set aside time for it because it cannot be done in 5 minutes. You will have to listen to 2-3 episodes and get an idea of their target audience.
Researching the show will help you draft the right podcast guest pitch, which will compel the host to say yes.
How to write a pitch template - Tips & Suggestions
Lead with value
If you make the host's life easier in any way, your pitch will be accepted. Leading with value means offering something the host can use for the show or creating an episode out of it.
You can even check their socials and offer an idea for a post, if not the podcast. Doing this will tell the host that you are genuinely interested in collaborating with them and you have done your research.
Email subject line
When pitching for a podcast guest, connect with the host by email instead of any social media platform. And when writing emails, your subject line must be exciting.
Think of it as an article headline. The best subject lines are simple yet attention-grabbing. You can ask a question or simply state the reason behind sending the email.
Pitch yourself
Start the email with a greeting addressed to a specific person, ideally the host. Give a compliment on one of their episodes or describe something peculiar that you like about their show, as that will personalize the message.
After that, provide a brief bio of yourself. Keep it crisp, and tell them who you are, what you do, and why you want to be on the show. Talk about where your expertise comes from, and if you have a show, then how many listeners or your social media followers are there.
The podcast guest pitch idea
This is the main area of your message, so get into as much detail as possible. Remember to make it as easy as possible for the person reading the message so that they can reach a conclusion quickly.
Don't make them chase for details. Give them everything they need, as they are also busy and might only follow up if everything is in the message.
Start with the topic you want to discuss. Give a general idea and a list of points you will discuss in the episode. Ensure that you pitch enough material to the host based on the length of the show's episode.
Don't write a half-hearted podcast guest pitch. Most people worry that someone might steal their idea, but you have to be open to showing all your cards. Besides, you are pitching yourself and your unique perspective on the subject.
Here are a few questions that your pitch should answer:
What expertise do you bring?
Why do you specifically want to talk about this topic?
Do you have a different take on the topic?
Can you offer any solutions to a problem on the topic you chose?
If you answer these questions while writing the pitch, you will surely be able to provide the host with specific details related to your idea.
Follow-up
The results lie in the follow-ups. Don't be disappointed; follow back if you have been waiting to hear from them for a week. You can ideally even add some new details on the topic.
Following up on your podcast guest pitch for 2-3 times is a good idea. If you still don't get a response, move on to the next pitch.
What makes a good podcast guest?
You ace your pitch and get selected for an interview on a podcast show. What next?
Here are a few things you can do to be the best podcast guest.
Get good recording gear
If you are a podcaster, then you already have good recording gear but don't be overwhelmed if you aren't. All you need is good-quality headphones, a mic, and a webcam. Also, do a sound check before the recording to ensure quality.
Record in a quiet place
Ensure that the place you record your interview has no background noise. Spruce up your background with a plant or candle if you are doing a video recording.
Be crisp about your background
The host might ask a little about your background. So, keep it brief because the audience waits for you to dive into the episode.
Give actionable tips
Ensure that you give some takeaways to the host and the listeners. Audiences only listen to the podcast if it can help them somehow, so present solutions and quick tips on the topic. Try noting a few apps or tool suggestions so that you remember to mention them.
Make the interview conversational
You can ask the host a few questions to make it interesting and conversational. Audiences love listening to engaging episodes. Also, be as natural and authentic as possible, as listeners can pick up nervousness from your voice.
How to research the show and the audience?
Ideally, look for shows that fit your niche. For example, if you are a business expert, look for business podcasts.
Read the show descriptions and shortlist the ones you find interesting. Set aside time and listen to a few shortlisted episodes.
Understand what the host is talking about; you can get an idea of the target audience from there. Make notes on what pain points the host addresses or what conversations generally happen on the show.
Even check the social media accounts of the host to get a better idea of the show and its niche.
Conclusion
Ensure you are pitching the right show to be a podcast guest
Don't just pitch to the big shows. Even find smaller podcasts in your niche with a dedicated audience.
You will require a pompous portfolio or a compelling pitch to feature on big shows, as there will be a lot of competition. On the other hand, smaller podcasts are much easier to pitch.
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