Being a guest on other peoples’ podcasts is a great way to build your audience - and your authority.

But most podcast hosts get far more pitches than they can handle - which means they can afford to be choosy about who guests on their show. So what’s the best way to pitch yourself as a podcast guest?

And how can you make sure your pitch stands out from the rest? In this podcast episode, you’ll learn how to craft the perfect email pitch for a podcast and how to increase your chances of getting a ‘yes’ from the host.

You’ll also find out what podcast hosts are looking for in a guest and the common mistakes to avoid in your pitch. 

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview.

Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode.}

Why it's worth being a podcast guest

Why Being a podcast guest is a great way to get in front of your ideal customers/clients - and build your audience - fast. 

It’s much quicker than writing a guest blog post. Most podcast interviews last between 30-60 mins. This means you can potentially do several a week. 

It’s also a great way to build trust quickly. 

There’s something about being in someone’s earbuds that’s much more intimate than the written word. Which means that by the end of a 30 minute interview, people often feel they know, like and trust you enough to visit your website, download your free resources and/or even buy your products/services. 

And the best thing is, every time you appear on someone else’s podcast, you’re getting in front of a brand new audience - an audience you haven’t had to build yourself.

So if you set yourself a target to do three interviews a week, you could potentially build your audience by thousands - in a relatively short space of time.

But before you get too excited…let’s back up a bit. 

Most podcast hosts - particularly on popular shows - get dozens of pitches each week. So competition for guest spots can be pretty tough. 

So how do you write a pitch for a podcast host that really stands out? Read on and find out.

And why not check out my YouTube video about pitching yourself as a podcast guest as well:-

1. Focus on how you can help the podcast host (not yourself)

As a podcast host, this is what I’m looking for in a guest:

1. Someone who can provide great content for my audience. In my case, this is practical ‘how to’ advice on listeners can apply in their business on social media marketing, content marketing and email marketing. On another podcast, great content might simply be entertainment or providing information about a specific topic. 
2. Someone who has an established online presence in the form of a blog, vlog, podcast and/or has written a book. Not only does this mean they have an audience they can share our podcast interview with, but it also means I can serve my listeners by directing them towards more useful content. 

Sadly, most of the pitches I get are focused on what the person doing the pitching hopes to get out of the interview rather than how they can help my audience. 

In many cases, it’s clear they haven’t even listened to the show (or even scrolled through previous episode titles) to get a feel for the kind of content I offer.

I think my experience is pretty typical - which is why I say 'no' to most pitches I receive. If you can focus on how you can help the podcast host - rather than yourself - you'll have a much better chance of getting a 'yes'.

2. Label the subject header of your email

Most podcast hosts are actively looking for great content, so label the subject line of your email and they’re far more likely to pay attention.

3.Use the subject header to summarise your idea 

A concise subject header that summarises your story (ideally in ten words or less) is far more likely to get a podcast host’s attention. Resist the temptation to use puns or clever wordplay though; an obscure headline that doesn’t mean anything may get ignored.

If you’re pitching an interview about how to get more conversions from a Facebook Ad, how to recover from postnatal depression or how to wear beige in winter...that’s exactly what you should say.

4. Keep your introduction brief

If you’re pitching cold, it’s a good idea to 'introduce' yourself (a slightly different approach to pitching to journalists). But do keep it brief - or you could lose the podcast host’s attention before you’ve even got started.

5. Show you've actually listened to the podcast 

Most of the pitches I get are from people who either haven’t listened to my podcast and/or haven’t given any thought to the kind of content I generally run. Say something that shows you’ve taken the time and trouble to actually listen to the podcast, and you’ll stand out a mile.

6. Show you can add value for their audience 

Many of the pitches I receive offer a series of vague topics the interviewee might cover. When what I’m really looking for is a killer episode idea. And I’m literally looking for a title that will fit right in with previous titles on my podcast app.

7. Show the podcast host how you can help them grow their audience

If you want to increase your chances of getting a ‘yes’, you need to show how you can help them grow their audience - by promoting the podcast interview to yours.  So do include any relevant stats, like the size of your email list and numbers of social media followers.

But don’t let not having a big email list or social media following put you off;  personally, I’d rather get in front of 500 people who are exactly the kind of people I love to work than 50,000 people who ‘sort of’ fit. So if you target the right kind of content at the right kind of people, you can usually make a strong case – as long as you’re focused on how you can help the podcast host rather than yourself.

Although I have a decent-sized email list (around 15k at the time of writing) it's tiny compared to some of the big podcast hosts I've pitched to. But that's still a significant number of people - and I have specialist knowledge and experience - which makes me a valuable podcast guest. 'Selling' this in my pitches has helped me get on some pretty Big Deal podcasts.

If you’re just starting out and your email list is small (or non-existent), focus on the value of the content you can offer.

8. Show that other people value your content 

If you’ve contributed guest content elsewhere, do mention it in your pitch. Seeing that others value your content - particularly well-established podcasters - should provide reassurance that you know what you’re talking about.

9. Make it as easy as possible for the podcast host to say 'yes' 

For most podcast hosts, the interview is the enjoyable bit. Chasing people up for photos, biogs and social media handles can be a pain. So make it as easy for them as possible by providing all of that info in your pitch.

10. Don't forget to follow up 

Getting half an hour or longer on a call with someone you admire - or would love to work with in the future - is a great opportunity to start building a business relationship.  I’ve kept in contact with many of the people I’ve interviewed for my podcast - and many who’ve interviewed me for theirs, including Chris Ducker, Natalie Sisson and Amanda Cook.

So when your interview goes live, don’t forget to email the host to thank them for the interview...and get out there and promote it. Email your list, share it on all your social media networks and keep on doing it (I’m still sharing podcast interviews I did years ago on social media now).

Remember you haven’t just given a podcast interview - you’ve co-created a piece of evergreen content - which is hugely valuable.

You might also enjoy: how to use guest content to grow your audience. 

Find this post useful? Download my FREE podcast pitch template here. 

Podcast Shownotes

• Why understanding the audience is key to pitching for a podcast (03:30)
• Where you might be going wrong with your podcast guest pitch (06:39)
• How much it costs to make a podcast and why it matters (07:10)
• What you need to remember when you pitch to a podcast host (07:50)
• A common mistake people make when pitching to guest on a podcast (10:02)
• My top tip for pitching yourself as a podcast guest (12:05)
• Why authority is just as important as expertise  (13:50)
• How to approach your pitch if you haven’t got a huge online audience (17:43)
• Why you must do your research before you pitch to be a guest on a podcast (19:41)
• What to write in your email pitch and how to stand out (20:21)
• Why you shouldn’t pretend you’ve listened to a podcast when you pitch (22:09)
• How to demonstrate the value that you can add as a podcast guest (and what you need to avoid) (23:15)
• Why podcasts hosts aren’t always looking for Big Name Guests (26:40)
• What podcasts guests are looking for in a podcast guest (27:25)
• How to make it easy for a podcast host to say ‘yes’ to you (30:21)
• Why creating a one-sheet that includes photos and bio and social media handles can make it easier to get booked as a podcast guest (31:30)
• Why it’s worth keeping in touch with podcast hosts after the interview (32:13)

Other resources

Join my Courageous Content mini-course
Join my Instagram Success Academy

Other useful podcasts

[Bonus] Should you join Janet Murray’s Build Your Online Audience Programme? (podcast)

[424] How to build an audience on YouTube with Justin Brown (podcast)
[400] How to build a large audience for your blog, vlog or podcast (podcast)
[383] How to get your podcast live in 60 days (podcast)
[376] Lessons learned from 1 millions downloads of my podcast (podcast)
[253] How to land a guest appearance on podcasts with Nicole Holland (podcast)

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Self-publishing your own book is a great way to build your online audience - and your authority. 

But how do you get started? How much does it cost? And should you do it all yourself - or use a print-on-demand service like Amazon, IngramSpark or Bookbaby. 

If you’ve been asking yourself these questions (and more) then you’ll love this podcast episode with publishing expert and bestselling Indie author Sacha Black.

Sacha shares every single step you need to take on your self-publishing journey - from coming up with a killer idea for a non-fiction book - to publication to promotion.

You’ll also learn how to promote your book (with or without an online audience) and some killer tips to avoid the stress of a one-star review.

PLUS the one thing you must avoid when you launch.

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode.}

Podcast shownotes

• About Sacha Black and how she helps people self-publish (02:19)
• Create engaging content with my Courageous Content mini-course (03:05)
• What you need to consider before you start writing a non-fiction book  (06:06)
• How to come up with a killer topic for your book (06:24)
• The differences between traditional publishing and self-publishing (09:42)
• The pros and cons of being an Indie author (11:18)
• How to structure your book and why the problem you solve is at the heart of it (12:50)
• Why choosing the wrong style/genre could upset your audience (15:10)
• The optimum word count for a non-fiction book (16:10)
• What it means to publish ‘wide’ or ‘exclusive’ (and the pros and cons of both) (17:15)
• Publishing costs of a digital book vs a printed book (20:25)
• Reasons to outsource the formatting of your book (22:26)
• Why you should invest in a professionally-designed book cover (23:01)
• What sort of budget do you need for marketing a book (24:04)
• How to publish your formatted digital book online (24:34)
• What not to include in a book description (and why controversial is good) (28:34)
• Tips to avoid one-star reviews on Amazon (and what you must avoid when you launch) (30:38)
• How to promote your book if you haven’t got an online audience (32:36)
• Why content marketing is great for selling a book (33:48)
• Tips to get people on your email list (37:11)

Resources

Vellum for formatting on Mac
BookBaby for publishing
Kobo for publishing
Barnes and Noble for publishing
Overdrive for publishing
Reedsy for editing
Draft2Digital online publishing
Ingram Spark print on demand
Bookbub for distribution

Mastering Amazon Descriptions by Brian Meeks
How to write a sizzling synopsis by Bryan Cohen
The Rebel Author Podcast Sacha Black

Sacha's published books
Sacha Black Instagram
Sacha Black website

Join my Courageous Content mini-course
Join my Instagram Success Academy

Other useful podcasts

[Bonus] Should you join Janet Murray's Build Your Online Audience Programme? (podcast)

[408] 11 Instagram Story ideas to help you make more sales (podcast)
[411] How to become the go-to person in your industry with Jen Hall (podcast)
[414] How much does it cost to launch your own planner? (podcast)

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

If you’re building a personal brand online, people have to get to know the person behind the business. Otherwise, they won’t buy from you.

But how much personal information should you share on your social media and other content platforms? 

What is ‘ok’ to share and what should be kept private?

And what is the difference between sharing and oversharing?

If you’ve ever asked yourself any of these questions, you’ll love this podcast episode on how much personal information you should share on social media (and other content platforms).

If you worry about sharing too much personal information, I explore why you might feel like that (and whether your concerns are justified). 

I also share practical tips on how to decide what to share and what to keep private. 

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode.}

Podcast shownotes

• About my Courageous Content mini-course (02:02)
• Why I recorded this podcast episode (03:42)
• Why you should share personal experiences in your business content (05:12)
• What type of personal experiences should you share (08:56)
• Why sharing personal content will make you seem more approachable (10:01)
• What I choose to share online and why some stuff stays private (11:45)
• Why oversharing means different things to different people (12:45)
• Why people have a problem with oversharing (14:35)
• Why you need to reconsider your oversharing beliefs (17:09)
• Why sharing your experiences and feelings is good for you (20:02)
• Why oversharing is a force for good (21:12)
• How to decide what personal content to share (23:13)
• How I decide what personal topics to share in my content (27:07)
• Where to draw boundaries on the content your share (27:31)
• Why you must be able to stand by what you say 100% (34:50)
• Why you have to stop worrying about people not liking you (38:40)

Resources

Join my Courageous Content mini-course

Join my Instagram Success Academy

Other useful podcasts

[Bonus] Should you join Janet Murray's Build Your Online Audience Programme? (podcast)
[Bonus] How I discovered my ADHD Superpower (podcast)

[379] How to grow your Instagram posts by 1K in 30 days (podcast)
[385] How to sell on Instagram Stories (without feeling sleazy) (podcast)
[392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast)
[408] 11 Instagram Story ideas to help you make more sales (podcast)

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Ever find yourself wondering how some business owners manage to get tons of engagement (and sales) from the content their share on social media?

Then you’ll love this podcast episode with Dawn Bradley - who teaches hair stylists how to build a six-figure business (having done exactly that herself). 

Dawn explains how to create content that really gets under the skin of your ideal customers/clients and keeps them coming back for more.

PLUS how to get comfortable with sharing content on more personal topics (and why you should). And why you must stop trying to appeal to everyone (because you’ll end up appealing to no one).

This episode is packed full of tips, strategies and ideas - regardless of what type of business you have. 

{Click on the player above to listen to the podcast episode and/or read on for a detailed overview. Scroll down to the bottom to read the show notes including all the links mentioned in this episode.}

Podcast shownotes

• About this podcast episode (00:39)
• About my Instagram Success Academy (01:35)
• About Dawn and her business journey (02:20)
• When Dawn realised she wanted to work smarter not harder (05:30)
• How Dawn used the power of Instagram to create demand for her services (07:15)
• The language Dawn uses to attract her ideal clients (11:38)
• Why relatable content is more important than perfection (16:20)
• How Dawn uses client shaming without upsetting people (21:11)
• Why you can’t appeal to everyone and why you shouldn’t try to (29:51)
• How to deal with people who want to give you feedback (34:20)
• How Dawn niched her content by embracing the weird (36:50)
• Why Dawn got anxious putting out content that didn’t align with her (37:10)
• How to make your audience relax by putting out content that they can relate to (41:01)
• How Dawn blends professional and personal life to connect with her audience (45:10)
• Why boundaries about what you share online are important (47:50)
• Why spontaneous content can work better than scheduled (49:20)
• Why connecting with people’s emotion is really important (52:48)

Resources

Dawn Instagram

Dawn website

Join my Instagram Success Academy

Buy my 2021 Social Media Diary & Planner

Other useful podcasts

[Bonus] Should you join Janet Murray's Build Your Online Audience Programme? (podcast)
[Bonus] Should you buy my 2021 Social Media Diary & Planner? (podcast)

[362] How to grow your Instagram following to 27K fast (podcast)
[379] How to grow your Instagram posts by 1K in 30 days (podcast)
[385] How to sell on Instagram Stories (without feeling sleazy) (podcast)
[392] How to get more engagement on Instagram (podcast)
[408] 11 Instagram Story ideas to help you make more sales (podcast)
[415] How to use TikTok to build your online audience with Sam Bearfoot (podcast)

Connect with me on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn