Podcast Guesting: How to Get Booked and What to Say

Podcasts give you something rare: 30 to 60 minutes of focused attention from an audience that chose to listen. Learning how to get on podcasts as a guest is one of the most efficient ways to build authority and reach niche audiences, at no cost but your time. Here's how.

This guide is part of our PR strategy playbook.

Why podcast guesting works

• Depth: you can explain ideas fully, not in a soundbite.
• Trust: the host's endorsement transfers to you.
• Niche reach: shows exist for almost every industry and audience.
• Search value: episode pages and show notes often rank for your name and link to your site.
• Great practice for TV, radio and speaking. See speaking engagements.

Step 1: Find the right shows

• Search podcast apps for your industry, audience and topics
• Check which podcasts your clients and peers listen to
• Look at where similar experts have appeared
• Start with smaller shows to build experience, then pitch bigger ones

Judge fit by the audience, not the download count. A small show with your exact buyers beats a large general one.

Step 2: Pitch the host

Listen to a few episodes first. Then send:

Subject: Guest idea for [Show]: [specific topic]

Hi [Name], I enjoyed your episode with [guest] on [topic], especially [specific point]. I'm [name], [role] at [company], and I help [audience] with [outcome].

A few ideas your listeners might find useful: 1. [Specific episode idea] 2. [Specific episode idea] 3. [Specific episode idea]

Happy to share past interviews: [link].

Keep it short, specific and about their audience.

Step 3: Prepare

• Three key messages, as you would for any interview (interview preparation tips)
• Stories: two or three real examples that illustrate your points
• One useful takeaway listeners can apply straight away
• A simple call to action: one URL or resource, not five

Send the host a short bio, headshot and suggested questions if they want them.

Step 4: Sound good remotely

• A proper microphone and wired headphones
• A quiet room with soft furnishings to reduce echo
• Wired internet if possible
• Notifications off
• Water nearby

Step 5: Promote the episode

• Share it with a short audio or video clip and a quote
• Tag the host and show
• Add it to your press page (what your website needs)
• Mention it in your newsletter
• Thank the host and suggest a follow-up topic

Turning appearances into results

Offer a specific resource with a dedicated URL, so you can track listeners who act. See how vanity URLs work. Track leads by show, and focus on the audiences that respond.

Questions hosts love (prepare answers)

• What's the biggest mistake you see in your industry?
• Tell us about a time something went badly wrong, and what you learned.
• What would you do differently if you started today?
• What's one thing listeners can do this week?
• What do most people get wrong about [your topic]?

Have a short, specific story ready for each. Stories are what listeners remember and share.

Guesting and advertising together

Once you've found shows that work, consider advertising on them too. Listeners who've heard you as a guest will recognize you in the ad. See podcast advertising. Both strengthen your online reputation and the story investors find when they search you.