This Is Why Your Podcast Guest Pitches Aren’t Landing
You already know that podcasting is a powerful way to share your story, expertise, and talk about your business. Being a podcast guest is a great way to grow your online footprint, get discovered through SEO on Google and podcast platforms, and ensure the interview won’t get lost in the algorithm after a few days, as it would on social media.
That is why you have pitched yourself as a guest speaker on podcasts, but for some reason your pitches aren’t landing the way you’d hoped. Today, I am going to tell you why.
Before you sent the pitch email, did you actually do research and listen to the podcast?
Find Podcasts That Actually Align With You
Let’s take a step back before the pitch email is written. Research needs to be completed beforehand because you do not want your name to be associated with just any podcast.
So, you need to find podcasts that actually align with your values, your message, and that potential clients are listening to.
Here are a few questions to ask:
What industry do I speak about?
Who is my ideal audience?
What types of podcasts already reach that audience?
What value can I provide to the audience?
You can find podcasts to pitch yourself to on any platform you listen to podcasts on, like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Player FM, Downcast, GoodPod, etc.
Tip: The goal itself isn’t just to get on a podcast; it’s to get on the right podcast. Because getting on a podcast where your offer and your story can provide value is much more important to your visibility than simply any and every appearance.
Make Sure the Podcast Accepts Guests
Upon researching podcasts to appear on - please, please, please, ensure that the podcast actually accepts guests. You’d be surprised how many complaints I see online from podcast hosts with solo shows who get pitches to be a guest.
It’s a waste of time for you and the podcast host.
Here are a few things to look for before sending your pitch:
Check the podcast description
Look at recent episodes (make sure the episode is recent)
Determine if the episodes have guests
Review the website
Check the social media associated with the show and the host (if they are separate)
Look for guest submission instructions or the email (it could be on the website)
As I mentioned above, please check that the content of the show aligns with you because the podcast above is associated with your name and your brand.
Listen to 2 to 3 Episodes Before You Pitch
The podcast host will tell immediately in your pitch if you’ve done your research and if you’ve listened to their podcast. If you want your pitch to stand out and get an immediate yes from the host, you need to listen to 2 to 3 episodes.
But don't just listen - take notes. Write down 2 to 3 takeaways from each episode, or what value you gathered from the episodes, so that you can include these in your pitch.
This will show that you take your guest appearance seriously. It will also help you understand the show's vibe.
Understand the Podcast’s Audience
By listening to a few episodes, you’ll also have a better understanding of the show’s audience and can answer: “Is this audience actually my audience?”
You should know who listens to the podcast, what problem you can solve for them, what you can teach them, what stories they like, and what value you can provide to them.
Listening to the show before sending your pitch shifts the energy from “this is what I sell” to “this is what I can contribute to your audience.”
What to Include In Your Email
Your pitch email should include the following:
Who you are - provide a brief introduction of yourself.
What you do - explain your business, expertise, a little of your story, and/or area of knowledge
Who you help - tell who is your ideal client/audience
What you want to talk about - maybe you want to share your story, or share about your business; the most important thing to share is the value that you’ll bring to their audience. Remember, being a guest on a podcast is more about serving.
What you learned from their podcast - as mentioned above, include the 2 or 3 takeaways you gathered from listening to their show.
I remember a host telling me that my including the takeaway from the episode I listened to was what really stood out to them in my pitch. They weren’t used to receiving pitches like that.
Don’t Make Your Podcast Pitch a Sales Pitch
I mentioned it before, but I want to say it again: being a guest on a podcast is more about serving the audience and providing value.
A host will immediately know if all you’re trying to do is sell your services on their show. And trust me, I know this because it happens to me all the time on my show.
When you tell your story, share your expertise, teach your technique or framework, and give the audience a reason to remember you, your business will naturally become part of the conversation.
Include Your Media Kit or Speaker Page
If you have additional resources, provide them to the host in the email.
This can include:
Media Kit
Link to Your Speaker Page
Website
Previous podcast appearances (if relevant)
Social media
Relevant credentials
Only provide what is relevant to what you want to share in the episode. For example, when I pitch myself to be on a podcast where I want to share my framework on starting a podcast, The V.O.I.C.E Method, I don’t need to mention that I have a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration.
Keep the pitch simple, straight to the point, and easy to understand.
Give the Host Time to Respond
Give the host about 7 business days to respond, and if you don’t hear back by then, send a follow-up email. Podcast hosts are busy, and following up too soon isn't a good look.
Keep in mind, if this is an independent show, the host is most likely juggling the production side of their shows, plus their own full-time job and/or business.
Lastly, if you have a topic that is time-sensitive, please include that in the pitch.
For example, if you have a launch, book release, a challenge, an event, etc.
Podcasts are often recorded weeks or months in advance before they are published. So if your episode needs to be released before the launch, the host should know to see if it works for their publishing schedule.
Look for Podcast Guest Opportunities in Networking Communities
Sending cold pitches isn’t your only option for finding podcasts to be a guest on. If you are part of any virtual networking communities, check to see if they have the option to share a post about wanting to be a guest on podcasts.
For example, I'm part of the Entreprenista online community, and they have a section where you can share your podcast and whether you want to be a guest.
You can also share posts on social media that you are looking to be a guest. In your post, share what type of podcasts you’re looking to be on, what audience you’re looking to serve, and what topics you talk about.
Podcast hosts whose podcasts align will reach out.
Podcast Guest Pitch Checklist
Before you pitch:
☐ Confirm the podcast accepts guests
☐ Listen to 2–3 episodes
☐ Research the audience
☐ Identify what you can contribute
☐ Find the correct contact information
☐ Personalize your email
☐ Mention specific episodes you listened to
☐ Explain the value you'll provide
☐ Include your media kit/speaker page if relevant
☐ Mention any time-sensitive launches
☐ Wait 7 business days before following up
Don’t Just Pitch Yourself. Pitch the Value
Remember, you don’t want to be on just any podcast - you want to be on the right podcasts. Your visibility strategy will be stronger if you focus on podcasts that align with you, rather than being everywhere.
The best way to stand out is to listen to the podcast before you pitch.
Now, do you want to start your own podcast? I have The V.O.I.C.E. Method Podcast Launch Course, where you can become a podcaster in 6 weeks or less! Everything you need to start your podcast is in the course, along with additional resources to support your podcasting journey.
Reach out with any questions.
With Love, Heidy
