Podcasting is a powerful way to showcase your expertise, build your audience, and grow your network. But how can you leverage your knowledge and experience to get invited to other podcasts in your niche? In this article, you'll learn how to establish yourself as an expert in your field through guest appearances, and how to make the most of every opportunity.
Guest appearances are not only a great way to reach new listeners, but also a way to demonstrate your authority, credibility, and value. By sharing your insights, stories, and tips on relevant topics, you can position yourself as a leader and a resource in your field. You can also build relationships with other podcasters, influencers, and potential collaborators, who can help you grow your own podcast and business.
To become an expert through guest appearances: pick the right places, share valuable insights, connect with hosts and audiences, promote yourself well, and keep things professional. Engage with listeners, offer helpful resources, and follow up to build your authority in your field.
Guest appearances are a great way to build fast authority and brand yourself as an expert in your field. You can use free tools like Matchmaker.fm to outreach to relevant podcasts and request to participate.. there are small/mid size podcasts mostly, but it's a great start! Then you can use Listennotes.com to build manually a list and outreach to bigger podcasts in the industry. You can also use Podvertise.fm to curate and find podcasts of your interests/category/country on a scale and outreach to them and find out if they have interviews offerings. -> Make sure to outreach after you research the podcast a bit and see some of his latest episodes titles, social posts, podcast description and website etc, so you can relate to his interests :)
The first step to getting booked as a guest is to find podcasts that match your niche, audience, and goals. You can use tools like Listen Notes, Podchaser, or Podcast Guests to search for podcasts by keywords, categories, or ratings. You can also look for podcasts that feature guests you admire, respect, or want to connect with. Make a list of podcasts that interest you, and listen to a few episodes to get a sense of their style, format, and topics.
One thing that's overlooked is to find interest groups for the subject you wish to talk about. Facebook and LinkedIn are great places to find groups for special interests. Once in those groups, you can ask about podcasts that group members have and pitch yourself to those members. The invitation will be more personal since you're a member of the group and the shows could be smaller which gives you interviews to add to your portfolio of appearances. That will make it easier for you to pitch shows that have a broader reach.
Once you have a list of podcasts you want to appear on, you need to craft a compelling pitch that showcases your expertise and value. Your pitch should be concise, personalized, and relevant. Start by addressing the podcaster by name, and complimenting their work. Then, introduce yourself and your podcast, and explain why you're a good fit for their audience. Next, propose a few topics or angles that you can talk about, and how they can benefit their listeners. Finally, include a call to action, such as asking for a response, a date, or a link to your media kit.
If you are aiming to guest at a fairly respected podcast, personalization is key! * You need to avoid a generic, one-size-fits-all approach and show genuine interest in the podcast you're reaching out to. * It conveys respect for the podcast host's time and effort. It shows that you've taken the time to understand their work. You're not just looking for any podcast; you're looking for the right fit. * Mention specific episodes from the podcast that resonated with you. It shows that you're already engaged with their material. * Mention a recent episode that you enjoyed and explain why it resonated with you. * Refer to specific points or insights from their content in your pitch. * Address the podcast host by name in your greeting.
After you get a positive response from the podcaster, you need to prepare for the interview. This means doing some research on the podcast, the host, and the audience. You should also prepare some talking points, stories, and examples that illustrate your expertise and value. Avoid memorizing or reading from a script, but have some notes handy to guide you. You should also test your equipment, sound quality, and internet connection before the interview, and make sure you have a quiet and comfortable space to record.
Not just looking over your notes is helpful, but also listening to a few episodes of the show you'll be a guest on - study their conversation flow and how the show is specifically structured. Just knowing what you're getting into is helpful for preparation purposes while you're also reviewing your notes.
During the interview, you want to make a great impression on the host and the listeners. To do this, be friendly, confident, and enthusiastic. Respectfully listen to the host's questions and answer them fully and honestly. Additionally, share your insights in a way that is relevant, interesting, and valuable for the audience. Use examples, anecdotes, and data to back up your points while avoiding jargon. Lastly, be authentic and show your personality, humor, and emotions. Make a connection with the host and the listeners so that you can leave a lasting impression.
After the interview, you want to maintain the relationship with the host and promote the episode to your own audience. To do this, you should send a thank you note expressing your gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity. Additionally, share the episode on your social media, website, newsletter, and podcast. Tag the host and the podcast, use relevant hashtags and keywords, and encourage your followers to listen, rate, review, and share it. Furthermore, ask for feedback from the host and listeners to find out what they liked or questioned from the episode. Respond to their comments or messages and engage with them. Finally, keep in touch with the host and offer to reciprocate the favor by inviting them to be a guest on your podcast or collaborate on other projects. By following these steps, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field through guest appearances and grow your podcasting career and business.