How To Start Pitching Yourself as a Podcast Guest
Be sure to read this full post to for our full list of resources and recommended platforms.
Kwedar & Co. founder Lauren Kwedar Cockerell has brought her public relations, marketing, and StoryBrand® wisdom and insights to new audiences with guest appearances on the Marketing Made Simple podcast, the Strategy by Sasha podcast, the Inbound Back Office podcast, the Marketing in the Wild podcast, and more (click here for all guest appearances!).
Perhaps you're here reading this because of one of her appearances? And perhaps you're thinking, "I should be a podcast guest, too."
You know what? You should.
How Being a Guest on Podcasts Can Accelerate Your Media Presence
Podcasts are a great up-and-coming tool for positioning yourself as an industry expert while reaching new audiences. According to a 2021 survey by consumer media researcher Tom Webster, 41% of Americans listened to a podcast within the most recent month. Wide-ranging in age and interests, podcast audiences are commendably diverse. That same survey found that 43% of the monthly podcast audience is non-white, compared to 40% of the U.S. population in general.
With thousands of podcasts to choose from, and new ones popping up daily, you will surely find ones that align with your niche. However, the biggest question we receive is how exactly do you connect with these podcasts to arrange an interview.
Along with the explosive growth in podcasts and their audiences, there has been increased growth in sites dedicated to connecting podcast hosts with guest experts like you. Today we're going to take a look at a few.
Recommended Resources For Connecting With Podcast Hosts
PodcastGuests.com boasts a user base of 40,000+ (and if you want an example of how quickly this space is growing, when we started writing this post a few days ago, that number was 35,000+). The site offers memberships for both podcasters and expert guests and connects them through a searchable directory (which guests can join for a small fee) or through free emails that are sent out twice a week. Though the site is a platform and not an agency that can help with pitches or contracts, a blog featuring tips for hosts and guests is included as part of the free service.
MatchMaker.fm is a similar network, also boasting 40,000+ users and featuring a free matching plan and a blog with articles on valuable topics like "How to Get Booked as a Guest" and "What to Include on Podcast Release Forms." The free plan also includes a messaging service and the ability to book gigs directly through the site. The paid plan expands the offerings to include video pitches and membership on a community board. And for those who want to kick their podcast guest aspirations up a notch, MatchMaker.fm offers a multi-module Podcast Guest Academy.
Pod Match borrows its approach from online dating sites — but as with those sites, all the real goodies are behind a paywall. For that small monthly fee, though, the site offers a full range of matching services as well as a networking community, masterclasses, Zoom training meetings, and other resources. The site will even pay a fee to podcast hosts who interview guests matched through the platform.
Finally, Polywork includes podcast matching as part of a new professional social network that connects collaborators based on their interests beyond the formal limitations of job titles, industries, and resumes. This free-to-join platform has also started beta testing an intriguing "Clubs" feature for people to create their groups and exchange ideas, learnings, and more in private, online spaces.
Ready, Set, Start Pitching!
With these great resources, we hope you feel ready and excited to start pitching yourself to some great podcasts to share your expertise. If you are still feeling stuck, we are here to help. Here at Kwedar & Co., matching your knowledge and your needs with the perfect podcast host and audience is what we do every day. Click here to book a consultation.
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