Knowing how to be a good guest is key to so many areas in life. Simple, common wisdom things like, don’t show up empty-handed, be on time, don’t outstay your welcome, don’t go on-and-on about yourself, mind your manners, and send a thank you note – all good, and timeless, advice that still rings true today. Even in the area of marketing yourself to podcast owners, knowing the basics of being a good guest counts.
Here are some tips to get yourself booked as a podcast guest, with an eye on being someone they’ll ask back again and again.
1. Know your niche.
Look for podcasts which have the same audience you want to reach as the podcasts’ listeners. Market yourself as someone who can add to their audience’s positive experience or has a solution to their listeners’ problems. (The Charli Jane Speakers Club has a Speaking leads database, which includes podcast leads to help our Members with this.)
2. Google the following term be a podcast guest “leadership” to zero in on your niche and find opportunities.
Change leadership to whatever term best describes your niche or area of expertise and put quotes around your topic as seen above. Set up alerts to have these auto-delivered to your inbox, too. Search directly on iTunes to find their category list. Then, search top podcast in your area and reach out to the host.
You can also find Podcast leads in the Charli Jane Speakers club here.
3. Find or create an email template to use to pitch podcast hosts and owners.
Batch these out, but remember to make sure you personalize them. Savvy hosts can spot, and delete, boilerplate quickly. Be sure to include how you can add value to their listeners (see #1).
4. Keep it short and to the point.
Be clear about what you can offer. Do not send them on a fact-finding mission to learn more. They won’t go. They’re busy.
It’s your job to do the leg work for them and answer as many questions with your proposal as you can. I know, I said keep it short. You can be brief and still cover the essentials. If they don’t know exactly what you do and what you intend to say, then they won’t reach out.
All they need is your name & contact info, expertise area, and how you will solve their audience’s problems. Use bullet points here, so they can scan quickly. Provide 3-5 suggested questions you’d like to answer, but remember, most hosts will have ones they want to ask. It’s nice to throw some out there, but don’t insist.
It’s their show and their format, you’re just trying to fit
5. Understand their schedule and make sure you will be available when they have an opening.
Do your homework to make
You can keep track of all this information in our free Podcast Tracker created just for you! Grab it here.
Whatever you find out, Be On Time and ready to perform within the hosts’ expected time constraints. It’s a dance and you’ve got to let them lead.
6. Make sure you understand the house rules before you ask to be a guest.
Will you be allowed to pitch your services or products? (If so, develop this as a quick pitch for the end of the appearance.) Is it strictly prohibited? (Don’t balk at this, there are other ways to market your appearance and make sure it drives traffic back to your site or offer.)
Will they link to your website in the description? (If so, consider giving them a link to your sales page or
How long will the spot be and when will it air? (Find this out so you can hone what you’ll share and promo the spot your own social media in advance.) Are there language guidelines and rules – meaning will you be kicked or deleted altogether if you use profanity or otherwise “colorful” language? (Speaks for itself.)
Once booked, ask questions. What else should you know in advance so that you can be a great guest for them? They’ll appreciate that you took the time to respect them and their way of doing things.
7. After your appearance, take the time to hand-write and mail a thank you note.
Don’t text, email or in any other way, digital this out. The personal touch will be a standout moment and make you more memorable for longer than any other form of communicating your gratitude. You’re building a relationship here, and personal touches cement them more than any other thing you could do.
To help you track your podcast leads, proposals and appearances, grab our free Podcast Tracker here.
Now, go and get yourself booked and make Ms. Post proud!
Need more support in growing your speaking biz and finding speaking leads? Join our fantastic speakers Facebook group to learn, grow, share and laugh! You can find us here.
You can also listen to the Charli Jane Speakers podcast “Grow Your Public Speaking Business” here.