Learn about the places you can find free podcasts to guest on and some tips on how to write a perfect guest pitch. Being a guest can help grow your audience and build brand awareness.
Table of Contents
1. The Benefits of Being a Podcast Guest
If you have ever wondered about the advantages of appearing as a podcast guest, you will be pleased to know that there are many. A podcast is a platform that allows individuals to share their knowledge, insights, and experiences with a vast audience.
As a guest, you can discuss your ideas and showcase your expertise on a particular topic. By doing so, you can establish yourself as an authority figure and gain recognition in your field. This recognition can lead to increased credibility, which can benefit both your career and business.
Podcasts are growing in popularity, and they offer a fantastic platform to reach out to people who are interested in your niche and expand your networks. By being a guest, you can share your message with a wider audience and increase your brand's visibility, which can help you attract new followers, clients, or customers.
2. Guidance on how to be a Podcast Guest
So you're interested in becoming a Guest and would like some guidance on the best places to look so you don't have to spend hours crawling through the web?! Then you've landed in the right place.
Earlier this year, I was in the same situation and spent hours scouring through webpage after webpage. I was shocked to find that some people charge a hefty fee to be a guest. Plenty of lovely hosts are seeking guests and won't charge you a penny for the privilege; in exchange, you'll agree to promote and share the podcast with your network.
To save you time, I've included the results of the best places I found that won't cost you anything.
*Please note that all descriptions and details are taken directly from the company's website, and you are advised to use your due diligence before paying or joining any. No endorsement is intended or should be inferred from being listed below.*
3. PODCAST GUESTS
Cost:
FREE: Subscribe to their twice-weekly newsletter and pitch to the relevant podcasts.
Basic: $10 per month paid annually or $15/month paid monthly.
Premium: Join for $29 per month, paid annually, or $39 per month, paid monthly. For higher visibility and inclusion in their newsletter as a featured guest.
Description: PodcastGuests.com is a member-based website that connects podcasters with experts, authors, and other podcasters to be guests. "There are two big challenges to podcasting: Finding great guests and increasing listenership... After you sign up, I’ll send you 2 emails per week with 10 opportunities for you to appear as a guest. Find a good match? Just fill out the form, and your information will be sent... It’s as simple as that. And it’s free."
Reflections Thoughts: Since joining their newsletter, I've been asked to be a guest on three podcasts; my first was for the Inquisitive Wren, and the host was lovely. I recommend contacting her if you match her podcast's needs.
I have to be honest: the premium package is enticing. I may potentially subscribe at some point, but I'm happy with the opportunities available from the free fortnightly newsletter option.
Related Post: 10 Effective Strategies for Building High Quality Backlinks and Boosting Brand Awareness
4. MATCHMAKER
Cost:
FREE: Create a profile, get found, and approach potential partners.
Pro: $129 per year.
Agency: $99 per month or $990 annually.
Pro members have unlimited conversations and favourite lists and get priority listings in search results and recommendations.
Description: "Connecting Podcasters and Guests, MatchMaker is the easiest way to discover amazing people who want to be part of your show. It's like Tinder but for podcasters!"
Reflections Thoughts: You can start ten conversations monthly with a free profile, which was super easy to create, using Tip 4 from this post. From a quick search of their directory, a variety of hosts seem to be available worldwide. In only a couple of months of using this site, I have guest spots scheduled in the UK and USA into 2024.
It's easy to filter down to country, region and interests, and you can see who is actively looking to book guests. Then check out their profile to see if they are suitable, and if it is, send the host a message (your pitch).
You'll also receive weekly newsletter emails highlighting podcasts matching your chosen categories that are actively seeking guests.
Negatives: Make sure to thoroughly check out any direct messages asking you to be a guest, as many seem to have hidden charges.
5. FACEBOOK
Facebook has many groups to choose from with a collaborative community spirit. You'll need to use the hashtag beaguest with any posts to advertise your pitch to potential hosts. Below are some I use to help get you started.
6. Tips on How to Write a Perfect Guest Pitch
You should have enough information to fill one page and add to your guest profiles by answering the following.
Background: A brief overview of you, your life experience, why you are well-positioned to talk about what you do, highlighting anything that makes you stand out in your field. The benefits to those who listen.
Expertise/Credibility: What qualifies you as a trusted voice in this field? Relevant education, jobs, research, or books you have written. Do you have any passions that make you a valuable guest?
Topics: Use keywords and terms you are targeting, such as Empowerment.
5-10 Interview Questions They Can Ask You: Make the host's job easier by giving them some typical questions you can explore and answer.
Previous Guest/Media: List your previous guest spots and any published books, articles or mentions in press and media.
How you Will Promote the Podcast: All the ways you will share the episode to drive traffic to their show, such as mailing lists, LinkedIn followers, and social media.
7. Example Guest Flyer
Here is the flyer I created following the advice above in Tip 4.
Hopefully, that gives you an overview of where to begin when starting out as a guest.
As always, it's great to hear recommendations from other people. If you know of other great platforms that are free for guests, please leave your suggestions in the comments box below.
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