Being a first-time podcast guest is actually an advantage. Hosts know you're new and will often be more accommodating. Focus on shows that are smaller or mid-tier (5,000-50,000 listeners) rather than the biggest shows. Build your experience and track record, then move up to larger shows. Your first appearance is just the beginning.
Podcast interviews are valuable if your ideal customers listen to podcasts and if you can articulate a clear message or expertise. Ask yourself: Would my ideal customer benefit from hearing me speak for 30-60 minutes? If yes, podcasts are worth pursuing. If you're selling B2B services or positioning yourself as an expert, podcasts are almost always valuable.
No. Hosts care more about your expertise and ability to provide value to their audience than your follower count. In fact, many hosts prefer guests who aren't already huge because it's a better discovery for their audience. Focus on your expertise and ability to tell compelling stories, not your follower count.
Start with 50-100 target podcasts. This gives you a healthy pipeline. Even if you only get booked on 20-30% of shows you pitch, that's 10-30 bookings. As you get more experienced, you can expand your list.
Use podcast directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Search for keywords related to your industry. You can also use specialized tools like SpeakerHUB, Podchaser, and Listen Notes that let you filter by niche and audience size. Finally, ask your network for recommendations—personal referrals often work best.
Listen to a recent episode. Ask yourself: Is the audience my ideal customer? Does the host interview guests regularly? Is the production quality professional? Does the host seem engaged and ask good questions? If you answer yes to most of these, it's probably a good fit.
Keep it to 3-4 paragraphs. Hosts receive dozens of pitches and don't have time for long emails. Get to the point quickly: who you are, why your expertise matters to their audience, and what you'd like to discuss on the show.
Include: (1) a personal reference to something specific about the show, (2) why your expertise matters to their audience, (3) a specific topic or angle for the episode, (4) a brief credential or result, and (5) a clear call to action. Make it personal, not generic.
Pitch in batches of 5-10 per week. This lets you track responses and adjust your pitch if needed. Pitching all 100 at once makes it hard to manage responses and follow-ups. Pitching one at a time is too slow.
Look for a "Contact Us" page, media kit, or booking information on the show's website or social media. Most shows make this easy to find. If you can't find it after 5 minutes, try emailing the main podcast email address or reaching out on social media.
Wait about one week. If you don't hear back, send a friendly follow-up. If you still don't hear back after another week, move on. Some hosts simply don't respond, and that's okay.
A 20-30% response rate is actually quite good. That means if you pitch 100 shows, you'll hear back from 20-30. Of those, maybe 50-70% will say yes. So you might end up with 10-20 bookings from 100 pitches. This varies based on how well your pitch is targeted and how personalized it is.
Don't take it personally. Hosts decline for many reasons: their schedule is full, your topic doesn't fit their audience, they just had a similar guest, etc. Thank them for considering you and move on. Some hosts might say no now but yes later, so you can follow up in a few months.
Confirm: the date and time, duration of the interview, format (Zoom, phone, in-person), any pre-interview prep needed, when the episode will air, whether they want a bio or headshot, and how they'd like you to promote the episode.
This varies widely. Some shows record 2-4 weeks in advance, others record months in advance. Ask the host when you confirm the booking. This affects when you'll see the episode air.
Prepare 3-5 key points you want to make. Prepare 2-3 stories or examples you can share. Think about what you want listeners to do (visit your website, join your email list, buy your product). Do a tech check if it's remote. But don't over-script—the best interviews flow naturally.
Make it specific and easy. Instead of "visit my website," say "go to [yoursite.com/podcast] to get my free guide." Instead of "follow me on social media," say "connect with me on LinkedIn at [link]." Make it crystal clear what you want listeners to do.
Yes, but be strategic. Once you know the air date, you can mention it to your email list and social media. But don't oversell it—just let people know you'll be on the show and when they can listen.
Most interviews are 30-90 minutes. The most common length is 45-60 minutes. Ask the host what their typical length is when you confirm the booking.
Don't worry. Most hosts are forgiving, and they can edit out major mistakes. Just keep going. The best interviews feel conversational, and that means some imperfection is natural and actually makes it more engaging.
Track: website visits from the podcast link, email signups, lead form submissions, sales, and social media followers gained. Use UTM parameters in your links to track traffic from specific podcasts. Ask new customers how they found you. This data helps you identify which shows generate the best ROI.
Absolutely. Share it on social media, mention it in your email list, and tell your network. This drives traffic to the episode and helps the host. It also reminds people of your expertise.
Send a personal thank-you email after the episode airs. Let them know you appreciated the opportunity and that you'd be happy to appear again in the future. If the episode generated great results for you, mention that too.
Yes! This is one of the best parts. You can create: social media clips, blog posts, email content, video clips, LinkedIn articles, and more. One podcast appearance can generate weeks of content.
If you're serious about building visibility through podcasts, aim for at least one appearance per month. Many successful experts do 2-4 per month. This keeps you visible and generates consistent leads.
Build your track record first. Get booked on 10-20 mid-tier shows, then use those appearances to pitch bigger shows. Hosts of bigger shows want to see that you've been on other podcasts and that you're a good guest. Your track record is your credibility.
If you're pitching 50+ shows per month, hiring someone (or using a platform like SpeakerHUB) makes sense. The time savings justify the cost. But if you're starting out, do it yourself first so you understand the process.
Think about what problems your expertise solves. What do you help people with? What insights do you have that would be valuable to a podcast's audience? That's your angle. It doesn't have to be complicated—it just has to be relevant to the show's audience.
Be clear about your boundaries before the interview. Most hosts won't push you to sell hard. If they do, you can mention your offer but keep it brief and focus on providing value. The best podcast guests are generous with their knowledge, not pushy with their sales pitch.
Getting booked for podcasts is a skill you can develop. Start with the basics: build your target list, research shows thoroughly, craft personalized pitches, and follow up consistently. As you get more experience, you'll refine your approach and get booked more easily.
The key is to start. Pitch your first show this week. You'll be surprised how many hosts are looking for guests like you.
Use the 7-Step Framework to land your first podcast bookings. Or, if you want to accelerate the process, explore SpeakerHUB's podcast database and booking tools.
Your first podcast appearance is just a few good pitches away.
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