How to Get on Podcasts as a Guest: 3 Totally Free Strategies to Get Booked and Borrow an Audience
If you hate producing your own content, but are a natural storyteller – getting booked on podcasts is a great way to have someone else produce content for you, and share it with an existing audience who is likely already interested in your niche. Professional podcasters share all your links in the show-notes, and often will create social media content that showcases the highlights of your interview.
Speaking on podcasts is also a great way to practice your elevator pitch, answer frequently asked questions about your business or service, and network with other business owners and content creators. I’m writing this blog now because of friends I made by being a guest on the Pat Miller show!
For many of us, being a podcast guest is easier than public speaking on stage, because you are usually chatting with someone 1-on-1 over zoom about something you’re already an expert on. The podcast host will guide the conversation and the really experienced ones will make sure they set you up to look good.
So, how do you get booked as a guest on a podcast? I’m so excited to share the strategies that help me get booked on 1-2 podcasts per week!
Step 1 – Finding Podcasts Who Are Looking For Guests
Subscribe to Weekly Digests for Podcasts
Podcastguests.com has an excellent free newsletter with links to apply for podcasts who are actively recruiting. You can also use paid tools like matchmaker.fm that will help you find podcasts looking for guests.
Hashtag Mining on Social Media Search hashtags like #lookingforguest, #podcaster, #findaguest, and #podcasthost to find folks who post about their podcast on social media. If you like the subject of the podcast or think you would be a great fit, check the link in their bio or visit their website to see if they are accepting guests.
Good Old Fashioned Search Engines Search for podcasts in your niche and see if they have an application link on their website (many do). You can find podcasters on youtube, twitter, instagram, linkedin, facebook, and of course… google.
Ask Your Network If you’re new to podcast guesting, ask your network if they know of anyone who is starting a podcast. Put feelers out for local podcasters and radio stations that produce podcasts. It never hurts to ask!
Note: Some podcasts are well established with huge audiences. Some are targeted to a niche audience… and some are just getting started. Personally, I will go on nearly any podcast, regardless of size. If you are brand-new to being a podcast guest, sometimes landing a smaller interview can help you practice and build a portfolio of appearances that will help you land a bigger podcast guesting opportunity in the future. My advice is to leave no stone unturned and challenge yourself to build the skill of being an excellent podcast guest by doing as many appearances as possible. You never know who you might connect with because of an interview!
Step 2 – Pitching Yourself To a Podcast as a Guest
Send a Low-Pressure Message First
Once you’ve found a show you’re interested in, you can DM or email most podcasts directly and simply say: “I really like what you’re doing with your podcast. {insert podcast topic here} is such an important topic. I’m curious – are you looking for guests right now?”
More often than not, popular podcasts will tell you that they are booked out, BUT about 30% of the time, super niche podcasts are stoked to hear from you and will tell you how to apply. Most podcasts have an application form for you to fill out.
Depending on the topic, podcasters will typically want to know 4 things before having you on their show. I recommend having a document saved that you regularly update, so that you can quickly copy and paste your answers if you’re applying for a bunch of podcasts in a row. That way you don’t have to rewrite your bio from scratch each time.
4 Essentials for Every Podcast Pitch
- Your Bio – This should be a short paragraph explaining who you are in the 3rd person. Imagine the podcaster reading this out loud as your introduction. Here is mine as an example: Chuck Copenspire is the anti-professional professional. With a background in life coaching, social media strategy, and slam poetry – Chuck is the magical weirdo that helps you overcome social media stage fright and imposter syndrome in your business, so you can do what you love and charge what you’re worth.
- Your Experience – How do you relate to the topic of their show and why would you be interesting to interview? What unique perspective or store can you share that would provide value or entertainment to the existing audience? I typically share a story and a strong perspective with something like this when I apply to be on entrepreneurial podcasts: I was laid off a few months ago and managed to spin up a successful online business purely through organic reach. As a neurodivergent queer parent, I know how it feels to be under-estimated in business. Many of us are often not considered by the usual business and technology coaches, but I’m here to change that. I would love to share my story with your listeners and provide some inspiration to anyone who might feel like they “don’t belong” in business.
- Your Audience – A podcast host will often be interested in mutual promotion. If they share you with their audience of 1000 active listeners, who are you bringing to the table? I track my follower count across all platforms and try to give a round number that’s close enough. If you don’t have an audience yet, that’s okay! Just be honest and let the host decide if you’re a fit. I typically say: 4000+ Social Media followers and over 200 email list subscribers.
- Your Links – If their listeners want to check you out, what links do you want them to click in the show notes? For me it’s my website and 3-5 social links.
Step 3 – Being the Best Podcast Guest You Can Be
A final thought on self promotion and being a podcast guest
Not every business person is a natural marketer, writer, speaker, or content creator. But if no one knows your business exists, they wont be able to buy from you. I would encourage you to explore different ways of promoting your work. Find the way that feels least uncomfortable to you, and then do THE HECK out of that thing. Whether you are writing or speaking, you must build skill in persuasive and entertaining self-promotion (or hire someone to help if you really can’t stand it).
Good luck to you on your journey to being a podcast guest! I hope this post was helpful.
Chuck Copenspire
High Ticket Sales Consultant
I’m Chuck, the anti-professional professional. Sales Coach, Funnel Builder, and Social Media Analyst. I help under-represented entrepreneurs find their footing in the business world and charge what they’re worth.