Did you know that in 2023, podcasters received 45% more pitches from PR firms compared to the previous year, according to The Propel Media Barometer? The reason behind this surge lies in the numerous advantages of being a podcast guest, such as establishing authority, building trust, enhancing online presence, and driving sales.
However, there’s a notable 11.4% decrease in responses. One of the main reasons is that the overall quality is decreasing, and hosts feel less motivated to engage. Moreover, not all pitches accurately address the show’s key themes and requirements.
For example, Katie Fogarty shared in the fourth episode of Mics to Millions that she consistently received pitches from male guests despite her podcast’s specific focus on women’s health and wellness.
So, how can you rise above the sea of mediocre pitches and secure your spot as a podcast guest? Simply follow these steps, and you’ll be able to do it on your own.
Decide why you want to be a podcast guest
Have you considered why you’re pursuing podcast guest opportunities? Is it to:
- Establish yourself as an industry expert?
- Boost brand visibility?
- Promote an upcoming retreat or book?
- Forge connections within the podcasting community?
- Cultivate new leads?
- Increase online presence?
Understanding your underlying motivation is crucial, as it allows you to select podcasts strategically and craft your messaging accordingly.
Imagine being the founder of a company that specializes in organic skincare treatments. If your main goal is to position yourself as a thought leader, targeting business podcasts could be a clever move. Here, you can delve into your entrepreneurial journey, discuss industry trends, and offer insights into the future trajectory of the sector, showcasing your expertise and experience.
Are you aiming to promote these organic skincare solutions? In that case, wellness-focused podcasts might be a more fitting choice. This way, you can educate listeners on the benefits of organic skincare, debunk myths, and explain how these products contribute to skin health. By doing so, you pique curiosity and generate interest in your offerings, which will drive sales.
Identify your unique angle
Finding your unique angle is the secret to standing out from the crowd in a saturated marketplace.
Don’t worry; finding a unique angle doesn’t mean reinventing the wheel. It’s about discovering your niche within your industry and differentiating your business from competitors. Building upon our skincare company example, you could address specific skin issues or how to improve skin health through organic solutions instead of providing generic advice.
Your unique angle could be tied to a specific methodology or philosophy that guides your business practices. Is using eco-friendly practices a core value? Do you want to help your clients live toxic-free lives? Ensure to incorporate these principles when defining your distinctive approach.
Another effective way to unearth what makes you unique is to reflect on your background and remember why you started your business in the first place. Perhaps you faced a problem in your own life that conventional methods failed to solve. By reconnecting with this origin story, you can demonstrate the driving force behind your business.
Find podcasts that speak to your audience
With over 5 million podcasts online, you need to be selective about the shows you’re targeting to achieve the goals you’ve set.
Start by using keywords related to your expertise or message to search for podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The next step is analyzing the ratings and reviews. Are there glowing testimonials or concerning feedback? Below, you can see the ratings we have on Apple Podcasts for our show Mics to Millions:
These reviews also enable you to gain insight into what the podcast audience values most about the show, helping you tailor your pitch more effectively. For instance, if you’re submitting a guest request to Mics to Millions, you can mention, “I know your audience appreciates practical insights on growing a podcast, and your audience respects your authentic approach. I’d love to join you for a genuine conversation and can share 5 actionable tips that helped me grow my health and wellness podcast audience in a year, from X to Y downloads a month.”
Last but not least, check out their social media accounts. While some podcasts lack ratings on Apple Podcasts, they might have large followings on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. By examining the engagement levels on these platforms, you can determine if the host’s influence can have a positive impact on your promotional efforts.
Struggling to discover the ideal podcasts to guest on? Our Self-Starter package can help. We’ll create a tailored list of 30 podcasts in your niche, delivered with profiles, while also crafting two distinct pitch angles to maximize your chances of success.
Write a personalized pitch
Now that you’ve identified your why, unique angle, audience, and podcast, you’ve got everything you need to start writing a personalized pitch.
The key to a personalized pitch is to show the host you understand what they cover, how you can provide value to their audience, and why you’re the right guest. To illustrate this, let’s break down how to approach pitching Anti-Aging Hacks as the founder of a skincare company.
| Don’t do this❌ | Try this instead✅ |
| Hello Faraz, I’m the founder of X and I think I’d make a great guest for your feature. You can find all my podcast information in my media kit which I’ve attached below. | Hello Faraz, I enjoyed your recent episode on exercises that increase life expectancy, especially when you spoke about the vital role of strength, balance, and motor control in these exercises. While these exercises are no doubt great tools to live a long and healthy life, the importance of avoiding commonly overlooked toxic chemicals in skincare products is also a necessity. As the founder of X skincare products, I’d love to join you to share with your audience skincare tips that promote anti-aging and longevity, allowing them to look and feel their best. … |
Here’s a structure you can follow:
- Make the first paragraph about the podcast. Include a sentence that shows you’ve listened to the podcast and know what their audience wants.
- Identify the listeners’ pain points and share that you have a solution to address them.
- Introduce yourself. Explain why you’re a good fit for the show.
- Include social proof, such as previously published articles or client examples.
- Add a bulleted list of topics that you can cover.
- Conclude with a call to action.
- Add a PS to add a touch of humor or mention how you can promote the episode once it’s live.
Looking to handle podcast booking internally? Contact us today to learn more about our Self-Starter package.
FAQs about booking yourself as a podcast guest
Aim for around 350 words. And remember, when it comes to pitching, the shorter, the better.
Here are some common pitfalls to steer clear of when crafting your pitch:
– Overdoing it on length.
– Focusing solely on your achievements without tying them back to the show’s relevance.
– Being overly generic, tailor your pitch to the specific podcast.
– Pitching a topic recently covered by the host.
– Not adding the necessary information, such as links and company name.
To show your value as a guest in your pitch, focus on:
– Highlighting your expertise and experience in the topic area.
– Crafting compelling and relevant bullet points that emphasize your unique insights.
– Clearly articulating what listeners will gain from your episode.
Send a follow-up email approximately 5 to 7 days after your initial pitch. While there’s debate on the number of follow-ups, we suggest sending just one to maintain professionalism without being overly persistent.
If you receive a rejection, don’t be discouraged. Thank them for their response and their consideration. Remember, every rejection is an opportunity to learn and improve. You’ll get it next time.
Love the format of this post and good job on the personalized pitch part!!!
– Alex Sanfilippo (Founder, PodMatch.com)
Hi Alex! Thanks so much for your comment. It means so much to us.