How to Get on a Podcast: 7 Easy Steps + Examples

By Intelligent Relations Team

April 3, 2024

Author's Page

Getting on a podcast is a powerful strategy for individuals and organizations to earn media, elevate their brand visibility, and establish thought leadership status. 

According to Statista, there are currently 504.9 million podcast listeners in the world — nearly double that of just five years ago.  

Such exposure not only amplifies brand awareness but also cultivates a loyal following. 

So, how do you get on a podcast? 

You can’t just shoot off emails willy-nilly saying, “Hey, I’m great! Put me on.” 

There’s a subtle art to securing coveted spots on podcasts relevant to your niche. 

You need to start small. Ask yourself what you hope to accomplish, compile a comprehensive list of pertinent podcasts, and polish your pitching technique. 

Whether your goal is to expand professional networks, drive traffic to websites, or increase sales, harnessing the power of podcasts is a strategic imperative. 

This article offers a roadmap for aspiring guests aiming to make the move from casually listening to joining the conversation. 

Here’s how:

• Why Appear on a Podcast? 
• How to Get on a Podcast 
• How to Craft a Podcast Bio

Why Appear on a Podcast?

There’s no doubt that beyond the immediate exposure, being featured on podcasts yields significant benefits. By sharing expertise and insights, guests position themselves as thought leaders in their respective fields, building trust and recognition among listener bases. 

The conversational format of podcasts also allows for authentic storytelling and engagement. This creates an intimate connection with audiences.

What are the PR and Marketing Benefits of Getting on a Podcast?

• Earned Media: Knowing how to get on a podcast opens the door to earning media in a fast and easy way. Earning media boosts your PR and marketing efforts, and is also a great way to build backlinks for SEO purposes. 

• Exponential Reach: Podcasts boast diverse audiences spanning various demographics and interests, providing an unparalleled platform to amplify your message to a broad spectrum of listeners. 

• Credibility Boost: Being featured on reputable podcasts lends instant credibility and authority to your brand, establishing trust among potential clients or followers. 

• Content Repurposing: Podcast appearances give you valuable content that you can repurpose across multiple channels. That in turn enriches your marketing arsenal with authentic and engaging material. 

• Networking Opportunities: Connecting with podcast hosts and fellow guests opens doors to collaborative ventures and partnerships within relevant industries.

How to Get on a Podcast and Establish Thought Leadership

Getting on a podcast serves as a conduit to establish and reinforce thought leadership in your field. By sharing valuable insights, experiences, and expertise, you position yourself as a trusted authority, garnering respect and recognition from both peers and audiences. 

As listeners resonate with your ideas and perspectives, they’re more inclined to:

• Seek Your Guidance
• Follow Your Endeavors
• Advocate for Your Brand

Through thoughtful dialogue and engaging storytelling, you cultivate a distinct voice and perspective, distinguishing yourself as a trailblazer in your domain. 

Want to learn more about brand thought leadership? Check out our article: Leveraging Brand Thought Leadership: The Ultimate Strategy Guide [+ Examples and 2024 Trends]

How to Get on a Podcast – 7 Steps + Examples

Now that you know the many benefits of getting on a podcast, let’s take a look at 7 simple steps that will help you become a sought-after guest. 

You’ll amplify your reach and solidify your position as an industry thought leader in no time!

Step 1: Define Your Goals and Target Audience

The first step of knowing how to get on a podcast is to identify your objectives. 

Ask yourself: 

• What do I want to achieve by appearing on podcasts?
• Do I want more brand awareness? 
• Do I want to promote my product or services?
• Do I want to gain backlinks for SEO purposes?
• Do I want to establish myself as a thought leader in my industry?
• Do I want to achieve a couple of these objectives?

Meet Ben. 

Ben is a nutritionist who provides an online coaching service. Ben’s general goal might be to educate people about healthy eating habits. 

But when considering how to get on a podcast, Ben identifies a larger goal:

I want to get links while promoting my services to my niche target audience.

That leads us to the next round of questions you should ask yourself: 

• Who is my target audience? 
• What demographics should I look for? Age, location, profession?
• What are their general interests and preferences? 
• What qualities should each podcast have so that I’m reaching my goals?

Once you know your target audience, you find podcasts that resonate with your ideal customers. 

As a nutritionist, it’s safe to say Ben’s target audience includes health-conscious individuals, busy professionals, and fitness enthusiasts who seek reliable nutrition advice and support.

Pro Tip: By knowing your goals, you know what to look for in a podcast. If it’s links, domain authority and dofollow links are important. If it’s the ability to pitch your product or service, you’ll want to find podcasts that host regular guests doing the same thing. 

Step 2: Research Relevant Podcasts

The next step for knowing how to get on a podcast is to start exploring podcast directories. You can use platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or dedicated directories like Preston.

Preston has the added benefit of AI matching algorithms that pair you with the most relevant podcasts in your industry or niche based on your company profile:

When using Preston, make sure the “Has Guests” and “Has Contact Info” filters are on for the best results:

Once you find a list of podcasts that seem like a good fit, listen to episodes to assess their style, tone, and audience engagement. 

Ensure alignment with your brand, expertise, and goals that you set in step one. 

Ben decides he likes the format of Renegade Nutrition, a podcast hosted by a nutritionist and health enthusiast, focused on every aspect of health and wellness.

Pro Tip: If you’ve never been on a podcast, start with smaller, niche shows. Save the big, well-known podcasts for later. Even if they have the most reach, you’re more likely to get on famous podcasts once you’ve got important niche appearances under your belt.

Step 3: Craft Your Pitch

Knowing how to get on a podcast also means knowing how to pitch a podcast.

Here are some things to consider: 

• Address the podcast host/hosts by name.
• Demonstrate familiarity with their show.
• Articulate what you’d bring to the table as a guest.
• Suggest intriguing topics and angles you want to discuss.
• Showcase your expertise and unique perspective.
• Emphasize any credentials that are relevant.

Let’s continue to use Ben as an example: 

The host of Renegade Nutrition is named Elaine. Check. 

Ben listens to a handful of episodes and selects one or two to reference. Check, check.

Ben selects “Navigating Nutrition Myths” and “Simple Meal Prep Strategies” as his topics. He’s written books on these topics and feels comfortable with them.

Plus, he feels like both will showcase his expertise and allow him to provide valuable content and actionable tips preferred by the podcast’s audience. 

He writes a bio and emphasizes the fact that he’s a certified nutritionist with 20 years of experience and that he’s published several best selling books on the subjects he’s suggested.

He plugs these points into Preston’s podcast pitching tool:

Here are the results:

Pro Tip: Keep in mind that pitching a podcast is similar to pitching journalists. The 3 T’s still apply – keep your pitch Tight, Tailored, and To the point. If you’re using generative AI, edit your pitches so that they are concise and fully demonstrate the value you’ll bring to the table.

If you’d like an in-depth guide about crafting the perfect podcast pitch, check out our article: How to Pitch a Podcast in 2024 [Podcast Pitch Examples + Template]

Step 4: Create a Guest Bio

Crafting an engaging podcast guest bio is a crucial step when learning how to get on a podcast.  

Your guest bio should be enticing to hosts and set the stage for an enriching episode. And like a pitch, remember to keep your bio brief. 

Most podcast hosts prefer a guest bio that’s between 50 and 100 words.

Here’re 7 points you need to include: 

1. Introduction: Begin with a brief introduction that sets the stage for your expertise. This opening sentence should grab the listener’s attention and establish credibility. 

2. Professional Background: Provide a summary of your professional background, highlighting key achievements, qualifications, and areas of expertise. This section should give listeners insight into why you’re qualified to speak on the podcast’s topic. 

3. Relevant Accomplishments: Highlight any relevant accomplishments or notable achievements that demonstrate your expertise in the subject matter. This could include awards, publications, speaking engagements, or significant projects.

4. Personal Story: Incorporate a personal anecdote or story that humanizes you and adds depth to your introduction. Sharing personal experiences can help listeners connect with you on a more emotional level. 

5. Expertise and Insights: Provide a brief overview of the insights you’re bringing to the podcast. This section should outline the topics you’re knowledgeable about and why your perspective is valuable to the conversation. 

6. Connection to the Podcast Topic: Clearly articulate how your background and expertise relate to the podcast’s theme or focus. Highlighting this connection helps listeners understand why you’ve been invited to participate in the discussion. 

7. Call to Action: Conclude the bio with a call to action, such as encouraging listeners to follow you on social media, visit your website, or explore related resources. This provides an opportunity for further engagement beyond the podcast episode.

Pro Tip: By including these key elements and adhering to the recommended length, you will craft a compelling guest bio that highlights your attributes and piques hosts’ interest in your potential appearance.

Step 5: Reach Out to Podcast Hosts

If you’re using Preston or a similar PR tool, you can send your pitch directly from the platform. 

Otherwise, you’ll need to locate the contact details of your podcast’s hosts via their website, social media profiles, or other podcast directories.

Once you’ve created your podcast pitch email, double check the following: 

• Your message is concise and compelling.
• You’ve included an introduction to yourself and your expertise.
• You’ve proposed potential topics in line with the podcast’s material. 
• You’ve attached relevant documents – media kits, press releases, links.
• You’ve included a guest bio with links to your website and social media profiles.

Pro Tip: Haven’t received a response to your pitch? Send a polite follow-up email after a reasonable time frame. Reiterate your enthusiasm for appearing on the podcast. Thank the host for consideration. If that fails, circle back after appearing on other podcasts.

Step 6: Prepare for the Interview

So, you know how to pitch and how to get on a podcast. But what’s next?

Now, it’s time to prepare for your interview. 

Here’s how Ben prepares for his interview with Renegade Nutrition: 

• Research the Podcast: Ben listens to recent episodes of Renegade Nutrition, familiarizing himself with the podcast’s format and Elaine’s hosting style.

• Outline Key Points: Ben prepares talking points, anecdotes, and examples to enrich the discussion and provide valuable insights. In his case, he creates a list of nutrition principles, client success stories, and practical healthy eating tips.

• Practice: Ben rehearses his key messages and responses to potential questions to ensure clarity and coherence during the interview.

Step 7: Attend the Interview and Follow Up

Here’s a checklist for the day of the interview:

• Log in to the virtual meeting platform a few minutes early to test your microphone and camera, ensuring everything is working correctly.
• Actively listen, respond, and participate to foster rapport with the host and audience.
• Provide informative responses supported by evidence and examples.
• Make sure you thank your host and the audience. 

Here’s a checklist for after the interview: 

• Promote the episode across your social channels, website, and newsletters. Make sure you reiterate your thanks to your host and encourage your followers to listen and share.
• Follow your hosts and fellow guests on social media, engage with their content, and maintain communication. Staying connected opens the door to future collaborations and nurtures your new professional relationships.
• The next time you pitch a podcast, leverage your previous experience. That’s one of the best tips for how to get on a podcast – use the shows you book to get more shows.

Pro Tip: Send a personalized thank-you note to your host or hosts. Express your gratitude for the opportunity to appear on their podcast as a guest. Praise your host for their insightful questions and commitment to providing their audience with useful, valuable information.

Your Future Guest Spots Await!

The bad news: Getting on a podcast is tricky. 

The good news: It gets easier with each appearance — a classic snowball scenario.

And appearing as a podcast guest offers myriad benefits, particularly in the realms of PR and marketing. Beyond simply sharing expertise, it serves as a platform for:

• Personal Branding
• Expanding Networks
• Reaching New Audiences

Knowing how to get on a podcast is an essential skill that requires finesse and strategic thinking. But by outlining your goals, using the right tools, and tailoring your pitches, you increase your chances of securing valuable airtime. 

By getting on a podcast, you open the door to earned media and brand growth. 

Preston not only helps you find the most relevant pods, it also helps you craft the most effective pitches. Book a Preston demo and connect with the top podcasts in our extensive database.