Introduction: Why Getting the Right Podcast Guests is Crucial
Getting the right guests for your podcast can make or break your show. When you bring in the right people, they can attract new listeners, increase your credibility, and even help you rank higher in search engines. Guests often come with their own audience, which means they can help your show reach a much larger group.
By understanding how to get podcast guests that match your show’s message, you create better conversations, which keeps your current listeners engaged and attracts new ones. Remember, quality guests lead to quality content. Now let’s discover those 12 Proven Strategies to Get Podcast Guests.
12 Proven Strategies to Get Podcast Guests
1. Start with the People You Already Know
One of the easiest ways to get podcast guests is by starting with people you already know. Reach out to friends, colleagues, or past guests who could connect you with someone interesting.
These people are usually more willing to help because they already know you and trust your show. Ask them for recommendations or introductions. Leveraging your personal and professional network is an effective way to find great guests without having to search far.
2. Leverage Social Media Like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to Get Podcast Guests
Social media platforms are powerful tools to find podcast guests. LinkedIn is full of experts, professionals, and thought leaders in different industries. You can message people directly, explain the value of being on your podcast, and invite them to join.
On Twitter and Instagram, many creators and influencers are active, and you can engage with them through comments, mentions, or direct messages. By being specific about how appearing on your podcast benefits them, you increase the chances of getting a positive response.
3. Join Podcast Guest Communities
There are communities built specifically for connecting podcasters with potential guests. Sites like Podchaser, MatchMaker.fm, Perfect Podcast Guest, Podmatch and Podcastguests allow you to browse through people actively looking to be on podcasts.
These platforms make it easy to search for guests based on their expertise or experience. Joining these communities gives you direct access to people who want to be on podcasts, saving you time and effort. Just make sure your podcast profile is well-made so potential guests know what to expect from your show.
4. Attend Industry Events & Conferences to Find Podcast Guests
Attending events, whether in-person or virtual, is another great way to meet future podcast guests. Conferences often feature industry experts, keynote speakers, and influencers who are perfect for your show.
Networking at these events gives you a chance to make connections face-to-face, which can be more personal and effective than cold emails. Even virtual events provide ways to engage through chats, panels, or Q&A sessions. Building relationships at these events will make it easier to invite people onto your podcast later.
5. Use Cold Outreach
Sometimes, the best way to get podcast guests is by reaching out to people you don’t know. This is called cold outreach. It may sound intimidating, but a well-crafted pitch can make all the difference. Start by doing a bit of research on the guest. Know what they’re about and how they can add value to your podcast.
Keep your message short and to the point. Explain who you are, why you want them on your show, and what they’ll gain from being a guest. Be clear about how their expertise or story fits with your podcast’s theme. Most importantly, highlight how being on your podcast benefits them. Whether it’s exposure to a new audience or content they can share, make sure it’s about more than just what you want.
If you don’t know how to outreach a guest for your Podcast, then you can use the below provided template for guest outreach or you can get inspiration from it to create your own.
Cold Outreach Email Template for Podcast Guests:-
Subject: Invitation to Be a Guest on [Your Podcast Name]
Dear [Guest’s Name],
I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am the host of [Podcast Name], a show that focuses on [briefly explain your podcast’s focus]. I’ve been following your work on [mention something specific about their work, like a recent project, talk, or article] and believe that your insights would make a fantastic addition to our show.
I’d love to invite you as a guest on an upcoming episode to discuss [mention a specific topic relevant to both your podcast and the guest’s expertise]. Our audience of [briefly describe your audience, e.g., engaged professionals, passionate learners, etc.] would benefit greatly from hearing your perspective.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Episode Duration: [time, e.g., 30–45 minutes]
- Recording Date: [suggest a few dates/times, or let them choose what works for them]
- Format: [briefly describe your show’s format, e.g., interview style, casual conversation, etc.]
I understand you have a busy schedule, and I’m more than happy to work around your availability. Additionally, I will provide promotional materials and links after the episode so you can easily share it with your audience if you wish.
Thank you for considering my invitation. I believe this could be a valuable conversation for both of us, and I look forward to the possibility of having you on the show.
Best regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Podcast Name]
[Contact Information]
[Website or Social Media Links]
Following up is key, too. People are busy, and they might not respond to your first email. Politely following up after a week shows you’re serious without being pushy. Always be respectful of their time and make it easy for them to say “yes.”
6. Collaborate with Other Podcasters for Guest Swaps and Cross-Promotion Work
A great way to get podcast guests is by working with other podcasters. This is called cross-promotion or a guest swap. Here’s how it works: you invite another podcaster onto your show, and in return, they invite you onto theirs. This way, both podcasts benefit from each other’s audiences. It’s a win-win. Guest swaps can also build strong connections within the podcasting community. By collaborating, you get the chance to promote each other’s work, helping both of your shows grow.
To find potential podcasters to collaborate with, look for shows similar to yours in terms of content or audience. When you approach them, focus on how you both benefit from the collaboration. Offer to share their episode with your audience, and suggest ways they can promote yours. It’s about building relationships, not just getting a guest for one episode.
7. Sell the Benefits of Being on Your Podcast to Guests
When you reach out to potential guests, you need to show them why being on your podcast is valuable. This is where you highlight your audience. Tell them who listens to your show. What kind of people are they? Are they professionals, hobbyists, or just everyday listeners? Sharing listener demographics, like their age, interests, and habits, can convince potential guests that they’ll benefit from appearing on your show.
If your podcast has strong engagement, mention it. Talk about how listeners interact with the show on social media or how many downloads you get. If your audience is smaller, focus on how engaged and loyal they are. Even a small but dedicated audience can be attractive to guests who want to connect with a specific group. The key is to make potential guests feel like they’ll gain something valuable by appearing on your podcast.
8. Create a Compelling Media Kit to Attract Guests in Professional Way
A media kit is a professional way to showcase your podcast and attract high-quality guests. It’s like a resume for your show. A good media kit includes information about your podcast’s purpose, audience stats, notable guests you’ve had, and any press mentions or achievements. Having this in one document makes it easier for potential guests to quickly see why they should join your podcast.
Include clear visuals like your logo, branding, and screenshots of listener reviews. If you’ve been ranked in charts or featured on other platforms, mention that too. It’s also helpful to list links to episodes that feature previous guests so they can listen to examples. A well-made media kit shows that you take your podcast seriously and that you’re organized, which can go a long way in convincing busy or high-profile guests to say yes.
9. Build Quality Content to Attract Quality Guests
The better your podcast content, the easier it becomes to attract quality guests. When potential guests see that your podcast offers interesting, valuable conversations, they’ll be more eager to join. Focus on delivering high-quality episodes consistently. This means doing thorough research, having good production values, and engaging in meaningful discussions. If you’re already putting out content that listeners love, word of mouth will help your podcast’s reputation grow.
Guests want to associate themselves with shows that align with their personal brand. If your podcast shows a genuine effort to deliver valuable content, high-profile guests are more likely to say yes. Don’t rush. Building a good reputation takes time, but it pays off in the long run.
10. Ask Your Audience for Guest Suggestions
Your audience can be a powerful tool when looking for new guests. Use email marketing to engage your listeners and ask them for guest suggestions. Most of the time, your listeners know what kind of guests they’d love to hear from. Set up a simple poll or survey and ask for their input. You could even ask them to submit questions they’d like to hear future guests answer.
Email marketing also lets you stay connected with your audience regularly. Send updates about upcoming episodes, and highlight previous guests. By keeping your audience involved, you create a sense of community that not only helps retain listeners but also generates leads for future podcast guests. Just remember to keep your emails concise and easy to read, so they don’t get lost in people’s inboxes.
11. Offer Incentives to Guests to Join Your Podcast
Sometimes, offering an incentive can make it easier to get podcast guests, especially if they’re on the fence. You don’t have to give out anything extravagant—sometimes, a small token of appreciation is enough. Offering something like free promotion of their work, a shareable clip from the episode, or access to your podcast’s audience can be attractive.
For experts, authors, or influencers, the incentive might be exposure to a new audience. Make it clear that being a guest on your podcast will benefit them by showcasing their expertise to your listeners. Some podcasts offer more tangible rewards, like sending a gift or a thank-you package. While this isn’t always necessary, the idea is to create a win-win situation for both you and your guest.
12. Turn One-Time Guests into Recurring Collaborators
After a guest has been on your podcast, don’t just leave it there—follow-up is crucial. Sending a quick thank-you email after the episode airs shows that you appreciate their time. You can also share the episode with them and provide promotional materials, like social media clips or graphics, to make it easy for them to share it with their audience.
Maintaining good relationships with past guests can lead to future collaborations. Some might even come back for another episode or refer other guests to you. Building a network of recurring collaborators not only strengthens your podcast but also adds a level of consistency to your content. Your audience will recognize these familiar voices and come back for more.
Conclusion: Actionable Takeaways on How to Get Podcast Guests
Getting podcast guests doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you approach it step by step. Start with your network and use cold outreach when necessary, but always craft a pitch that’s personalized and respectful. Leverage the power of social media and podcast guest communities, and don’t forget to engage your audience through email marketing to gather guest suggestions.
Offering incentives, no matter how small, can make joining your show more attractive, and by following up with your guests, you build long-term relationships that can lead to future collaborations. The key takeaway here is to be persistent, professional, and patient. Keep producing quality content, and over time, more guests will want to be part of your podcast.
Image Credit: AI & Freepik