How to Get on Podcasts as a Guest

Being a podcast guest is a fantastic way to promote yourself, your business, and your craft by connecting with a broader audience. However, becoming a guest is often easier said than done. As a podcast booker, I work with clients who want me to take the driver's seat and land them opportunities. I'm happy to do so and love helping people with this goal, no matter their niche. However, you don't need to hire a third party to do this for you. Today, I'm sharing ways you can get on podcasts as a guest so you can use these opportunities to grow your business or personal brand.

1. Become familiar with podcasts in your niche.

Whether your expertise is in health, book publishing, entrepreneurship, AI (artificial intelligence), cooking, or tech, you want to become familiar with podcasts in your niche. Use chart listings like Apple's Top Podcast lists or The Podcast Charts by Spotify.

However, you don't want to narrow your selections to only the top podcasts. Landing a guest spot on those shows is a challenge. While not impossible, everyone else is targeting these shows as well. So, they are highly competitive. Podcast databases like Podseeker can help you discover shows of all sizes thanks to their filtering options. Use those to select podcasts of a smaller sized within your ideal niche. 

2. Listen to their shows.

It sounds like a simple tip, but only having a list of podcasts you'd like to be on isn't enough. You have to listen to them, too. Becoming familiar with their show format, conversational style with their guests, and overall focus can give you insights into successfully pitching them to be a guest. You don't have to listen to every episode (unless you'd like to!), but listening to one or two can help.

Not only does this help you identify guests, but it can also help you identify topics. Write down summaries of a few episodes you really liked. What about the episode resonated with you? What made it interesting? Take note of those key elements and keep that in mind as you brainstorm topics later.

3. Find guests who have a similar style or niche as you.

Once you've listened to a few podcasts in your niche, write down a few guests you've heard that have a vibe similar to yours. Be realistic, of course. While most of us would like to compare ourselves to top celebrities or speakers, you need to be aware they aren't just being asked to be guests because of their speaking style, niche, or entertainment value but also the audience that comes with it.

So, once you've selected a few people, research other podcasts they've been on and identify the ones that resonate with you. Add those to your podcast pitch list.

4. Take time to brainstorm episodes.

Brainstorming podcast topics can be more complex than it sounds. You want to choose show topics based on the podcast you are pitching. You don't want to simply write them and say, "I can talk about anything!" You want to be more specific than that. 

For example, while entrepreneurial journeys are always fascinating, is there something specific about yours you can highlight? What were your highs and lows? What specific event was a turning point for you? If you are a published author, you don't necessarily need to be a big success to land a spot as a guest. However, you want to discuss things that show your path to publication has been unique and something that will benefit the audience. In fact, that's the most important aspect of pitching yourself as a guest: what can you teach their podcast's audience? What can you share that can change their life in specific ways? 

Also, reflect on the guests you identified in your niche. What topics did they focus on? What actionable steps or tips did they pass on to the audience? If you listened to them across multiple podcasts, how did their wisdom or topics vary based on the podcast episode? This can give you insights into how you can position your own topics.

5. Craft a unique pitch.

Pitching yourself – rather than using a podcast booking service, like my own, for example – gives you an advantage, in a way. It allows you to write your pitch in your voice and engage with the podcaster personally before you're even a guest. 

Podseeker also has templates to use when you search their database and navigate to a specific episode. Remember that some podcasts will have you fill out a form to apply as a guest instead, so research their website, if any are available, before emailing.

Here is a pitch template I use when pitching podcasts:

Hello [name],

I loved your most recent episode about [add a personal remark about an episode that you liked or one that resonated with you personally. You can also start this out with a commonality you both share, such as both being part of the same networking group (if you happen to identify one from their bio), similar interests, or career path.]. Keep this introduction part just a couple of sentences.

I’d love to introduce myself as a possible guest for your podcast.

I am [describe yourself in a sentence or two. Briefly describe your top success points]

I'd love to appear on your podcast to discuss:

• Topic One: Describe what their audience can gain from this being a show.
• Topic Two: 
• And so on. List three or four topics.

I have shared my experience with Podcast A, Podcast B, and Podcast C [add links to podcasts you've been on if you have already been a guest on some in the past]. I would share my podcast episode on my [add your social media accounts, email newsletters, or blogs; include any numbers if they are particularly outstanding]. 

With these tips in mind and targeting your pitch to the specific podcast, you can succeed in your goal of getting on podcasts as a guest. However, I'm always more than happy to work with you in landing opportunities. Don't hesitate to reach out! 

Nicole Pyles is a freelance writer and podcast booker. She has been pitching professionals as guests for podcasts for many years. She loves helping people expand their businesses and share their stories. Check out testimonials of her services and reach out directly if you need help landing opportunities as a guest.

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