How to Become a Guest on Podcasts: 3 Totally Free Strategies for Booking and Borrowing an Audience (2023)
By Chuck Copenspire
(this article contains affiliate links)
If you despise creating your own content but are a fantastic storyteller, booking on podcasts is a terrific method to have someone else create material for you and share it with an established audience that is likely already interested in your specialty. Professional podcasters include all of your links in the show notes and frequently generate social media material highlighting the highlights of your interview.
Speaking on podcasts is also an excellent opportunity to hone your elevator pitch, answer commonly asked questions about your company or service, and network with other business owners and content creators. I'm writing this blog today because of the friends I made while appearing on Pat Miller's show!
Being a podcast guest is sometimes simpler than public speaking on stage for many of us since you're generally engaging with someone 1-on-1 over zoom about something you're already an expert on. The podcast host will manage the conversation, and the most experienced will make sure you appear good.
So, how do you get on a podcast as a guest? I'm beyond happy to share the tactics that enable me to book 1-2 podcasts every week!
Step 1 - Find Podcasts that need guests
Subscribe to Weekly Podcast Alerts
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
Nowadays, being interviewed through a zoom call is more prevalent than being questioned in person. Obviously, you must be on time and ensure that all of your equipment is operational. But here are a few things to remember.
Brevity is your Friend
Most podcasts strive to maintain an interesting pace. Answer the question as briefly as possible and let the podcast presenter dig out the elements that are pertinent to their audience. You don't want to spend your time with superfluous information or rambling ideas. Choose a point to make, make it, and ready yourself for the following inquiry.
Be Open, But Know Your Limits
When someone asks you a question, try to answer completely. Share your fiery stance, outrageous anecdote, or trade secret. That is what adds actual value to the listener and makes you stand out. That being said, if you get a question it makes you uncomfortable, you can always gently refuse by stating something like "I'd rather not discuss that" or "Let's change the subject."
Recommended Equipment for Being a Remote Podcast Guest
You don't need an expensive production studio to be a podcast guest, but a good microphone and lighting (if they shoot video footage) will add a lot of professionalism for everyone involved.
I have 3 LED light panels and a desktop microphone that I love, but even just making sure that you are lit well, have a tidy background, and reducing background noise will get you there. I use the following setup:
- Portable LED Light Panels for Podcasting: LED Streaming Key Lights
- Best Affordable Desktop Microphone: Blue Yeti Nano Premium USB Mic
- High-Quality Lavalier Microphone I use: Rode Smart Lav+
The added perk is that you may use these lights and mics for any future zoom calls or material you create on your own!
Practice telling your story and talking about your business as much as you can.
If you're not a natural storyteller or tend to freeze when you realize you're being filmed, the only way out is through. Take tiny steps at first, and face your phobia one day at a time. Find the least frightening technique to develop your speaking abilities and practice. You might try:
Going live on social media- If you have a service-based business or an information product, you may try going live on social media every now and then to answer inquiries or deliver a workshop.
Making Zoom calls with new business contacts - There are a lot of great people in the Idea Collective who are eager to drink some coffee and talk on Zoom. This low-pressure situation with a peer might be a fantastic place to practice comfortable presenting your story and what you enjoy doing.
Host a small local workshop - many groups are seeking for speakers. Set up a small event at a local venue or co-working space to hone your public speaking abilities.
Record videos for YouTube or Instagram - If talking to people makes you nervous, you can always start by shutting yourself in your office and making short films about your business or expertise. Practice taking fewer takes and simply cutting out the "ums" and "ahs" to improve your elevator pitch and talking points. You don't even have to publish it, but if you do, you could gain some new followers!
If speaking is intimidating, practice writing what you know. You may save it in your diary or prepare it for a blog post, LinkedIn newsletter, or email marketing campaign. If you have some notes handy when being interviewed, you can always refer back to your talking points and goals if you forget what you meant to say.
Say hi to someone new at a networking event - introducing oneself to a stranger might be nerve-racking at times. When I first started networking, I would get panic attacks and have to practice my "power postures" in the toilet before entering a room full of strangers. My advice is to approach someone on the sidelines and ask them a simple inquiry.
- "Is this your first time at one of these events?"
- "Where did you have your nails done?"
- "How did you learn about this event? It's my first time here!"
A final note on self-promotion and being a podcast guest
Don't be scared to express that you're anxious (if you are!) and make a new acquaintance. Break the ice first to save someone else from the anguish of not understanding how to network. You'll both be pleased you did!
Not every business owner is a natural marketer, writer, speaker, or content developer. However, if no one knows your business exists, they will be unable to purchase from you. I would advise you to experiment with different methods of advertising your work. Find the method that makes you the least uncomfortable, and then DO THE HELL OUT OF IT. Whether you're writing or speaking, you must practice compelling and amusing self-promotion (or hire someone to help if you can't bear it).
Good luck on your road to become a podcast guest! I hope this post was useful. **If you're searching for a guest, please leave your podcast in the comments below! **
I'm Chuck
the anti-professional professional.
I'm a sales coach, funnel builder, and magical weirdo who helps under-represented entrepreneurs find their footing in the business world and charge what they're worth.
As a neurodivergent queer parent with purple hair and a neck tattoo, I know how it feels to be under-estimated and misunderstood in business. I'm here to change that. It's my mission to show that you can be weird, gay, and successful - on your own terms.