Doesn’t it seem like everyone in the online world has a podcast? They have grown exponentially in recent years and some podcasters have really built up substantial followings! There are an estimated 120 million podcast listeners in the United States alone and listenership has grown alongside that. With that being said, you might be wondering how to find podcasts to be a guest on.
We don’t blame you! Podcasting is huge, and it makes for a fantastic way to find your ideal audience and get in front of them. No matter how niched-down you are, there is probably a podcast with a large following in that niche out there that you can collaborate with.
Finding podcasts to be a guest on can be a powerful tool for your business in so many ways. You can direct people over to your podcast, gain new followers on social media, and most importantly, turn those new listeners into loyal customers!
Furthermore, being a guest on an established podcast with a large following can drive backlinks to your website, build brand awareness, increase your social proof, present you as an authority in your niche, and best of all, provide a free marketing opportunity!
I know what you may be thinking. This sounds amazing! But how do I find those niched podcasts with a large following to be a guest on? We have you covered with these simple tips.
Do Your Research
Before you send out your first pitch, you want to do some research to make sure that the shows you are reaching out to are worth your time and effort. There are a few ways you can do this.
First, you want to start by finding podcasts that have a similar audience to you. They should have a similar topic, but preferably not the same topic. After all, you want a collaborative relationship, not a competitive one.
You can do this by polling your audience on social media to see what other shows they like or you can do some research using tools like Word Tracker for related keywords to search or BuzzSumo to find backlinks, articles, and influencers in your niche. You can also check out podcast platforms (Apple, Spotify, Stitcher) to see what they are showing in their top charts.
Use tools like Podcast Guests to be connected with a large number of podcasters who are looking to fill spots on their shows. This enables you to network with other podcasters and build relationships for long-lasting collaboration.
Another simple and straightforward way to find podcasts to guest on is to ask on social media. Facebook business and podcast groups are bursting with people looking to connect with guests for their show.
Once you have found some promising shows, it’s time to investigate each show further. First, check out their social media and see what their following is like. Do they have a large following? Is their audience engaging with their content? Look into their website to see how they market their show and optimize it for search engines. This will help you understand what their visibility is like.
Next, check out their ratings. What are people saying about their show in reviews? Are they raving or ranting? You can also use tools like Listen Notes to check out the popularity scores of the podcasts you’re interested in. This is an important step, so don’t skip it!
An important note: During your search, don’t discount up-and-coming podcasts. Just because a podcast has a smaller following now doesn’t mean it always will. Look at the quality of each show and the potential when you are making your decision as well. Getting on shows that are up-and-coming could pay off big time down the road.
Create The Perfect Pitch
Now that the hard part is done, it’s time to create the perfect pitch. You want to come up with a well-worded explanation of who you are, what you do, and what you can offer their audience. You want to include things about you or your business that make you stand out in the crowd. Explain your expertise and why their audience would like what you have to say. Now is not the time to be humble, brag a little about yourself!
We don’t recommend making one blanket pitch and sending it out to hundreds. You should try to personalize it to each show a little and make it conversational. This attention to detail will make you stand out to podcasters who get a lot of pitches daily.
Another way to grab their attention is by offering a podcast swap. Share why they would be a great guest on your show as well and what they could gain from the exposure to your listeners. Learn more about how to grow your audience with podcast guest swaps!
Follow Up
Create a simple Google Spreadsheet to track the information you’re gathering on potential shows. Include things like their show name, topic, their stats, contact information, and when/how you last reached out to them.
Podcasters are busy people, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back right away! Send a follow-up email a week or so later to check back in. Don’t get nervous that you’re pestering them. Many podcasters appreciate a polite reminder.
Stay Consistent
It can take time to build momentum, but as you start hearing “yes” and building brand reputation, it will get easier and easier to find shows to be a guest on. With time and consistency, you may even build up enough relationships that you don’t have to pitch yourself anymore, people will come to you!
We hope these simple yet effective tips help you find podcasts to be a guest on – and the right ones at that! If you ever get to a point where you are discouraged, remember why you started. You have a message, and it needs to get into the ears of your ideal audience! Being a guest on a podcast will help so much with that!
For more tips that will benefit you and your podcast, be sure to read more of our articles! Here are some of our favorites:
Why You Should Network With Other Podcast Hosts + How to Do It
What Dynamic Ad Insertion Is and What the Benefits Are For Podcast Hosts
7 Tips for Conducting The Best Podcast Interviews
