Being a podcast guest can open a lot of doors. It allows you to tell your story, establish trust with new audiences, and create long-term content that continues to work for you. But before you ever say a word into a mic, you need to overcome a vital first step: getting booked.
Asking to be a podcast guest can look easy, but most people do it wrong. In an era where podcast hosts are getting dozens of guest invitations every week, little oversights could cost you great opportunities. If you aim to get noticed and boost your chances of a yes, you must dodge the most common mistakes people make while pitching.
Let's go through those errors and see how to use them in a manner that actually works.
Not Researching the Podcast Properly
One of the most significant and most frequent errors is pitching without researching. Certain individuals cut and paste the identical message to different podcasts and expect something to stick. But hosts can tell when a pitch is generic.
Take the time to familiarize yourself with the podcast first. Listen to an episode. Read their show description. Notice what kinds of guests they have on and what kinds of topics they cover. Attempt to get a sense of the tone of the show. Is it professional, informal, instructional, or motivational?
When you demonstrate that you have invested time in learning about the show, it indicates to the host that you are interested. It also enables you to write a pitch which actually suits their audience and tone.
Focusing Too Much on Yourself
You should clarify who you are, but if your whole pitch is merely a recitation of your accomplishments, it will not work. A good podcast pitch is not about making the host impressed with your resume. It is about demonstrating to them what value you can offer to their audience.
Rather than beginning with credentials, begin by considering the audience. What can you help address? What experience or insight do you have to offer that will engage listeners? By keeping your pitch centered on value rather than self, it becomes more engaging right away.
Writing Long or Unclear Emails
Another error is pitching too long, confusing, or complicated pitches. Some individuals attempt to say too much in one message. They add lengthy bios, URLs, and elaborate talking points. This may appear to be helpful, but it tends to overwhelm the host.
Keep your message brief, concise, and to the point. Make it simple for the host to know who you are and what you can bring to the show. Write in short paragraphs. Split up the information so it is easy to read.
Your email should consist of:
A friendly, personal greeting
One or two sentences on why you enjoy the show
A brief sentence about who you are
A brief, concise topic or story idea
A final sentence with your contact details or a call to learn more
You can always send further materials later if the host requires more information after their response.
Avoiding the Podcast's Format or Target Audience
Other pitches get rejected because they don't align with the style or theme of the podcast. If a podcast focuses on parenting and you pitch a cryptocurrency topic, it will be disregarded even if you have an interesting message.
Always stop for a second and ask yourself: is my subject a good fit with this show's listeners? Would listeners be interested in listening about what I have to say? Does my message match the tone of the podcast?
If the answer is no, find a better fit. Having a good-fitting podcast will result in having better conversations, better interaction, and better outcomes.
Sending a Sales Pitch Instead of a Value Offer
One of the quickest ways to lose a host's attention is by sounding like an advertisement. If your message sounds like a sales letter or product pitch, it will get deleted.
Podcast hosts desire guests who have genuine experiences, insightful information, and meaningful conversations. They do not want a guest who will try to sell a book, course, or service for the entire episode.
Yes, it's okay to refer to your work and include a call to action at the end of an episode, but don't make it the emphasis of your pitch. Keep the message centered on serving the audience, not on selling to them.
Not Following Up Politely
A perfect pitch sometimes gets ignored. Hosts become busy. Emails are misplaced. That does not necessarily mean your pitch was declined. If you have not heard from them after a week or two, you can send a follow-up politely.
Your second message will be brief and cordial. A quick note just to touch base and restate interest in being a guest. Don't send successive messages too soon, and never be pushy. A polite and respectful second message can mean the difference between going ignored and getting booked.
Forgetting to Include Key Details
Some pitches don't work because they lack essential information. If you don't write your name, references to your work, or an invited topic, the host must take extra time to research who you are and if you're a good guest. That additional effort might lead them to continue looking.
Before you send your pitch, ensure that it contains:
Your complete name and your role or title
A connection to your site or social media
A single well-defined topic or story concept
Any previous podcasting experience, if applicable
An easy way to reach you
Make it as convenient as possible for the host to agree.
Conclusion
Podcast guesting is one of the strongest strategies for establishing your brand, reaching new people, and spreading your message personally. But if you're going to take the mic, you have to be asked for it. So that means your pitch has to be considerate, on-point, and concise.
Steering clear of these frequent blunders can be the difference between a successful podcast pitch and one that flops. Research the show, prioritize value, craft a plain and respectful message, and follow up if necessary.
When executed properly, your podcast pitch is no longer a mere ask. It is the beginning of an awesome conversation and a brand new chance to expand.
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