Being on someone else's podcast is a great way of marketing yourself and tapping into others' audiences. Though it's not easy, pitching doesn't have to take a toll on you. It can be a fun, easy process. But it also requires some strategic planning and forethought to ensure your pitch is as strong as it can be.
But before you think of the benefits it will bring, it's good to focus on how it will benefit your host. That approach will help you remain focused, and the person you're pitching to will be like, "that's so kind of them."
In this post, we'll talk about how to write the perfect podcast guest pitch.
A guest pitch is a request to appear on a podcast, and you should include three core ingredients:
But before you approach the podcast host, you need to firstly, take some time to listen to the podcast and get a feel for who this host is. What kind of personality do they have? How do they deliver their message? If there's anything that stands out about them as an interviewer (or even someone who wants people like yourself), take note—it may help you relate more easily with them when it comes time for your pitch!
Once again: knowing your host is essential because it helps make everything else far easier.
"...knowing your host is essential because it helps make everything else far easier."
If you want to pitch your idea as an episode or series, do not just pitch a single episode. The pitch's goal is to get the host excited about having you on their show, so make sure it's clear what kind of content could be in this new format for them.
If, for instance, you have an idea for a podcast episode about the people behind Instagram accounts with massive followings, your pitch might include a few examples of such accounts with big followings that you want to interview and explore. What questions would you ask these people, and why are they interesting? e.g. How did they start their account? What was their first post? How do they deal with trolls? And such.
Pitching your idea as an episode of a podcast you personally would want to listen to helps because it will indicate that you're familiar with the format and its conventions.
"The pitch's goal is to get the host excited about having you on their show..."
When pitching, it's important to be as specific about what you would like to cover as possible. Remember that the podcast host has many other guests to choose from, so if you don't give them a reason why they should pick you instead of someone else, then there's no way for them to know whether it makes sense for their show.
Be sure to cover topics that are relevant and interesting to your host and their audience. If you're pitching someone who has had a lot of experience in their field, then it makes sense to focus on how they got there and what advice they have for others who want the same thing.
However, if you're pitching someone who's just getting started or whose career path has been unconventional, then it might be better to focus on what's happening now rather than in the past.
"The pitch's goal is to get the host excited about having you on their show..."
The first step is to read the show's blog and listen to other episodes of the podcast, so you know what they're looking for. Then, follow them on social media (if possible), to learn more about their interests, favourite topics of discussion and guests who might be relevant to them.
Know what the host is looking for by way of content BEFORE reaching out in the first place!
"Know what the host is looking for... BEFORE reaching out..."
You want your pitch to stand out from the rest, THIS is where you can make an impression.
Make sure you send a personalised email that invites them into your story. Tell them how you relate to their podcast topic—if it's something like travel or food, explain why it's important. If it's music or film-related, share any personal memories that might help illustrate your passion for what they're talking about in their show (or vice versa).
"Make sure you send a personalised email that invites them into your story."
Demonstrate your credibility by sharing why you're qualified to contribute to their show. If you have experience in the industry they cover, share it.
As you write your pitch, remember that you're not just trying to get a guest spot on their show. You're also trying to build a relationship. Be ready to supply any other relevant information that would interest them. You already know their interests from the podcasts you've listened to.
"Demonstrate your credibility by sharing why you're qualified to contribute to their show."
A professional (personalised) pitch is a great way to catch a podcast host's attention. It can be intimidating to send an email or submit a bio and not get a response at first—but remember: no matter how much work you put into it, the person reading your pitch will only see it if they want to see it.
The key here is being polite, respectful of their busy schedule, and specific about what you would like to talk about. You should also make sure that you know who they are by looking up some basic information on them (like their website) or finding out which talent was most recently featured on their show, so as not to waste their time with something completely off-topic.
"The key here is being polite, respectful of their busy schedule, and specific..."
Remember, the key to writing a perfect guest pitch is to think about it from the perspective of their host. It's also important not to get too deeply into the specifics in your initial outreach pitch. You're looking for a unique approach that catches their attention, but don't worry too much about getting it perfect! You can always come back later when you know more about what they like (and don't like) as hosts.
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