One of the top questions on Google about podcast guesting is: “How much do podcast guests get paid?”
It’s a fair question, especially if you’re used to seeing experts get paid for speaking gigs, panels, or conferences.
The reality is that, in most cases, podcast guests don’t get paid.
But here’s the twist: Sometimes, guests pay to be on podcasts.
Why podcast guests aren’t getting paid
If you’ve been paid to speak on stage, host a workshop, or deliver training, you might wonder why podcasting doesn’t seem to follow the same rules. Why are conference speakers collecting checks, while podcast guests are hopping on Zoom for free?
Speaking gigs usually exist within a revenue-generating event: ticketed conferences, company retreats, or paid learning programs. You’re brought in to offer value but also to boost attendance, justify the price tag, or support a specific outcome.
Podcast guesting, on the other hand, works on a mutual value exchange. The host isn’t selling tickets; they’re offering their platform, their audience, and a conversation that can live forever online. As the guest, you’re expected to bring something meaningful to that space, from insight and education to entertainment and inspiration.
Do guests ever pay to be on podcasts?
Sometimes, yes. Guests do pay to be on podcasts.
This is known as a “pay-to-play” model. At PodWritten, we’ve seen fees range from as low as $25 to as high as $3,500, depending on the host, the audience size, and what’s included in the package.
Hosts might charge a flat fee to offset their time, editing, and production expenses. Others offer tiered packages such as guaranteed release dates, extra promotional efforts like Instagram Reels, audiograms, or newsletter shoutouts, or even bundling in multiple interview formats (video + audio).
When paying to be on a podcast makes sense
While some people hear “pay-to-play” and immediately write it off, the truth is that paying to be a guest isn’t always a bad thing. After all, there’s no one way to promote your health and wellness business. If paying for a podcast appearance helps you reach the right audience faster, here’s what you should consider.
First, don’t get distracted by vanity metrics like follower count. Instead, ask: Is the host actively promoting the episodes? Do they post interview clips on social media? Are people commenting, sharing, and engaging?
One of our favorite examples is a client we booked on The Laura Dowling Experience, a health-focused show with over 230K Instagram followers. The host didn’t charge a cent (we landed it through our cold outreach strategy). Laura’s promotion game was strong. She shared the episode four times across stories and posts, and the Reels received tens of thousands of views and comments.
As a result, our client got numerous inbound leads, his podcast jumped from #17 to #7 on Ireland’s Apple Podcast charts, and gained over 450 new followers in just a few days. That kind of engagement is what you want when evaluating a paid opportunity.
Second, don’t throw money at a podcast just because it sounds good or you feel fear of missing out (FOMO) creeping in. There are millions of podcasts in the market. So, if the guest fee is stretching your budget too thin, trust that another great show—with zero fee—is out there and waiting.
Third, and most importantly, the show must serve the audience you want to reach. For instance, if you help women over 40 navigate menopause, it makes zero sense to pay to be on a startup podcast.
When paying for podcast appearances is a red flag
Not all paid podcast spots are created equal, so it’s important to watch out for these:
- The fee is a surprise. The host waits till the end of the booking process to mention the fee.
- There’s no data. If a host can’t (or won’t) tell you their average download numbers, listener demographics, or where their audience lives online, walk away.
- The price seems inflated for what you get. A podcast with 500 monthly listeners charging $1,000? Paying a high fee might make sense for a top-tier show with a proven audience. But for a small or new podcast? That’s a no from us.
- There’s no clear strategy. If you don’t have a strategy to get more leads from your podcast interviews, you’re burning cash. Make sure you have a funnel in place, a clear call to action, and a game plan for what comes next.
Final thoughts: Is it worth paying to be a guest?
It depends.
When the audience is aligned, the host is engaged, and the appearance fits into your overall strategy, yes, a paid podcast interview can be a good move.
But don’t assume you have to pay just because someone asks. Most podcasts don’t charge a dime.
There are thousands of shows out there actively looking for quality guests—shows where you can share your story, reach the right people, and build real momentum without spending a cent.
You don’t need to chase every opportunity. You need the right opportunities.
And that’s exactly what we help with at PodWritten.
Curious what that could look like for you?