Guest blogging used to be the best way to build your brand.

Now, it’s podcasts.

Podcasts are so much better than blog posts today because podcast listenership is increasing, people get to know, like, and trust you faster on a podcast, and podcast listeners are more likely to find you to make a purchase after “meeting” you on a podcast.

To give you an idea of how popular podcasts are, in 2020, more than 100 million Americans listen to at least one podcast each month.

 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO START YOUR OWN PODCAST.

 

While some podcasters choose to host their show solo, most podcast hosts invite an expert guest to join them, so it’s no surprise that entrepreneurs from every industry are making their rounds on podcasts to help increase their exposure and generate awareness for their brand. 

For that reason, pitching yourself to be a guest on a podcast is competitive. 

As someone who has been on the receiving end of traditional media pitches from business owners and publicists, I know what works and what doesn’t. 

In addition to that, I receive pitches daily from people who want to be a guest on my podcast, Become a Media Maven.

How to Get Interviewed on a Podcast

In this blog post, I will outline how to send a pitch to increase your chances of getting interviewed on a podcast.

1. Find relevant podcasts to pitch.

There are more than 1 million podcasts.

Many of them are inactive or don’t have many listeners.

Try to stay away from those because they won’t move the needle for you.

Instead, search for podcasts by using the category and subcategories in Apple Podcasts, for example. 

You can also search based on keywords in Apple Podcasts as well.

Don’t forget to use Google and the word “podcast” to find other options too.

With Podcast Clout, we make this easier for you and handle this research for you… but there is even more research you will need to do if you’re not a Podcast Clout subscriber.

2. Research each podcast you plan to pitch.

Once you have a list of potential podcasts to get interviewed on, the next step is to make sure the podcast is a good fit for both you and the host. 

This is for your benefit and the host’s benefit – so you know you’re reaching out to the right person with the right topic. 

It’s also important to listen to a few episodes, visit its website or blog, and connect with the host on social media.

If you’re not using Podcast Clout, these are things you’ll have to research on your own:

• Is the podcast active? 
• Is the podcast relevant to your topic of expertise? 
• Do they have guest interviews? 

3. Pitch the podcast host.

Most of the time, you will pitch a podcast host via email.

Before I do this, I like to connect on social media and see if we have any mutual friends or connections. 

If you have mutual friends of connections, this is something I suggest mentioning in your pitch to the podcast host.

So yes, this means you need to send personalized emails to each podcast you’re pitching.

Click here to get the exact pitch that led to tens of thousands of dollars in revenue after one podcast appearance.

Every podcast pitch email should include:

1. A personalized greeting
2. A specific reason you’re reaching out to the podcaster
3. A list of talking points you’d like to discuss and the benefits the podcast listeners will receive
4. Examples and links of other podcast interviews you’ve done
5. A very short bio on why you are the best person to have on as a guest to discuss the topic
6. Ensure the podcast host you will share the episode with your audience
7. End with a way for the podcast host to get in touch with you

4. Schedule the podcast interview.

If you are a guest on someone else’s podcast, be sure to use their scheduler and recorder of choice – Skype, Zoom, Zencaster, etc.

Double-check if it will be audio-only or video and audio so you are prepared with a nice background if need be.

Also, ensure you’re in a quiet place, hardwired into the internet with high-quality audio and video ready to record.

5. Be a good podcast guest.

Remember, you’re coming on the podcast to offer the podcaster’s audience value.

Do not over-promote yourself.

No one likes this – not the podcaster or his/her listeners.

By default, you will get the promotion just from being a guest and sharing your expertise.

It’s your job to make sure you’re sharing as much value as you can by answering the questions a podcast hosts asks you.

The best answers have a story to go along with an answer – something to give the answer a little more color and life.

So when answering a question, think question = answer + an example.

With that said, many podcasts guests share a freebie to further help the audience while building an email list. 

Before sharing the URL for the freebie, ask the podcast host if it’s okay to mention it during the interview.

One of the biggest parts of being a good podcast guest is sharing the podcast episode on your social media as well as your email list.

It’s shocking how many people don’t.

When you don’t, you’re only hurting yourself and you’re being disrespectful to the podcast host who shared their platform with you.