Want to guest on more podcasts but struggling to get booked? Here’s the truth: it’s probably not you. It’s your pitch.
As someone who sifts through countless pitches weekly, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the cringe-worthy. Here are my best tips for making your pitch undeniable.
1. It’s Not About You
This might sound harsh, but it’s the reality of podcast pitching: we don’t care about you. We don’t need to know your bio or your achievements. We care about our audience.
We don’t need to know your bio or your achievements. We just want to know what value you’re offering to our listeners.
It’s not about answering the question, “Who am I?” Instead, answer this question: Why should you care?
2. The Hook and the Connector
When crafting your pitch, you need to hook the host in the first few lines. This could be an interesting statistic, a surprising fact, or anything that will grab attention and make them want to know more.
You can also hook them by establishing a connection. Telling a briefstory that connects with the podcast’s theme or noting a similarity you share with the host can help here.
You also want to show that you’ve done your homework. Mention a specific episode you enjoyed and why, or a theme the host frequently explores and how your expertise aligns with it.
I’ve received pitches that try to fake this by referencing the most recent episode with something generic like, “I loved your discussion on innovation.” If you’re going to do this, make sure you’ve listened enough to actually reference something unique. Hosts can tell when you’ve only skimmed through their content.
3. Keep It Short and Sweet
Hosts receive a lot of pitches from prospective guests and reading through them is not our full-time job. When we receive pitches that are a wall of text, we don’t even bother reading them.
Long-winded introductions and full life stories aren’t going to catch our attention. Keep your pitch concise: a brief bio, your proposed topic, and how it will benefit their audience. That’s it. Think of it as a tweet: if it can’t fit in a few sentences, it’s too long.
4. Focus on the Audience
Every podcast host’s primary concern is their audience. we’re looking for guests who can bring value, insights, and stories that resonate with their listeners. When you’re pitching, don’t just list your accomplishments. Instead, tell the host what the audience will walk away with after listening to your episode. Be clear about the actionable takeaways you can provide.
5. No Sob Stories
Podcasts aren’t the place for your life story—unless that’s the show’s focus. Even if you have an incredible journey, focus on how it translates to valuable lessons for the audience. Why does your story matter to them? If it’s just to build up your own ego, it’s not worth the airtime.
6. Be Prepared to Deliver
If your pitch is successful and you get booked, make sure you’re ready to bring your A-game. Podcasting is about storytelling, not just sharing information. Listeners connect with personal anecdotes and experiences, so have a few compelling stories on hand so you’re not answering questions with one-word answers.
And your tech quality matters! Invest in a microphone and a good camera so you sound and look like a true pro. Find some products I recommend here.
7. Understand the Purpose of Podcasting
Podcasts are not marketing platforms. They are platforms for sharing valuable, insightful, and often entertaining content. If you’re approaching podcasts with the sole intention of selling your product or service, you’re going to fail. Your pitch should never be a sales pitch. It should be about the value you can bring.
I know I might sound like a jerk, but that’s because I want you to succeed. Podcasting is an incredible way to build your brand, share your message, and connect with new audiences. But like anything worth doing, it requires effort and strategy. Follow these tips, and you’ll see a significant improvement in your pitches—and your chances of getting booked.
Rather someone just do it for you? Let’s chat!