How do you find the best thought leaders and influencers for your podcast?

You will certainly run out of options at some point. To find the right guests for your podcast you need to work on your content and presence. The better the visibility, the more people will reach out to you themselves. Another great way asking people in your circle for suggestions and also doing research on LinkedIn.

Podcast audience are there for a clear reason. To listen. Key is ask two questions while choosing a guest: Who will the audience listen to and why? This assuming the hygiene factors of the objective and goals of the podcast and pre-defined and in alignment with the choice of guest.

If you have clear personal brand for your podcast and a clear target or niche audience, and finally a clear value proposition for what your audience wants from podcast guests, that will make it 100x easier to book a thought leader for your event.

When planning for your podcast, it's essential to set specific, measurable, and achievable goals. Utilize the SMART criteria to guide your goal-setting, aiming for objectives that are not just aspirational but also quantifiable. Instead of goals like "get more listeners," be precise: "increase listeners by 20% in 90 days." Once you've identified your goals, break them down into actionable steps. If your objective is to boost listenership, consider improving your social media marketing or collaborating with relevant influencers in your field. Make sure to regularly review your analytics to measure your progress and adjust your strategy accordingly. With well-defined goals and a plan to achieve them, you'll be well on your way to success.

Clearly defining your podcast's goals and criteria is crucial for curating a lineup of guests who align with your vision and add value to your audience. By pinpointing whether you aim to educate, inspire, or entertain, and determining the specific topics or industries you want to cover, you can strategically select guests who not only resonate with your listeners but also enhance your podcast's credibility and impact. This focused approach ensures that each episode contributes meaningfully to your overarching mission, fostering a loyal and engaged audience.

To find the best thought leaders for your podcast, you need to understand where certain industries and subject area influencers live. At the same time, you have to understand which ones are easier to get their attention. For example, Twitter has many people in the political space, technology, and innovative spaces like Web 3.0. It's also one of the best places to get an influencer's attention (reply and quote tweet often). Instagram has another set of leaders and how to get their attention (use DMs) and so on.

I’m honored to have been the guest in at least 25+ different podcasts! LOVED IT. Great experience! We all connected on LINKEDIN. (That is really want you want - for serious professionals. Thanks - Sheila

My own podcast is now predominantly invite only for guests. Through experience I've found that many of the podcast PR firm bookings are focused on self promotion only rather than cross promotion.

Having done 150 livestreams with thought leaders and having been on almost 200 podcasts myself the best pitches include the following - short and sweet ones (i.e. don't pitch me an hour long one) - promote me - make clear your audience and how they need to hear my expertise - make it really easy for me to appear on your podcast: one time I had to have a pre-meeting, fill out two forms, and the form was a ton of work. I gave up and didn't appear.

When I'm crafting a pitch for a podcast, I start by zeroing in on what makes it truly unique. Ask yourself, "What can listeners get from my podcast that they can't find anywhere else?" Make sure you can answer that question in a sentence or two—that's your hook. Next, focus on the value you're providing. Whether it's hard-hitting journalism or comedic relief, make it clear why someone should tune in. Use engaging language that paints a vivid picture, and if you've got testimonials or listener stats, throw them in to build credibility. Think of your pitch as a short story that captivates your audience from the get-go. Be concise, be compelling, and most importantly, be unforgettable.

Chances are, if your guests enjoyed being on your podcast, they'd turn out to be one of the best sources for references. Ask your guests for an introduction to other thought leaders in their circle. Since the guests understand the theme of your podcast, they will serve as a curation point for relevant prospects. And they'll also feel good about making their friends visible to you.

Although I havent done podcasts which are strictly audio, having done Linkedin live which could be counted as one, my guests were mostly from online communities I found during the pandemic. It was such a delight to have come across them and bond instantly. I asked those who were innovative, creative, good-hearted to be guests on my Linkedin lives- included chefs, baristas, keynote speakers, environmentalists, movie producers, copywriters...

In my experience, cultivating a deep rapport with your podcast audience can be a game-changer. Why? Listeners who feel personally connected to you are more likely to stick around, engage, and even become ambassadors for your brand. Here's my advice: First, consistency is key—release your episodes on a regular schedule so listeners can make your podcast a part of their routine. Second, don't just talk at your audience; converse with them. Use social media or listener surveys to understand their needs and respond directly to their comments or questions during episodes. By making your listeners feel seen and valued, you're not just keeping them—you're turning them into your biggest advocates.

What I do is, I do the podcasting in a LinkedIn Live Format. You can extract the audio file mp3 from Streamyard or another streaming service and use it for the podcast. Meanwhile Local recordings are widespread, which means the audio quality is really good for a podcast.

In the world of podcasting, guests are the stars that light up your show. To find top thought leaders and influencers: Scout your niche online and offline. Explore their social media circles. Leverage your network. Reach out with compelling proposals. Stay updated on emerging voices. Your podcast becomes a stage where knowledge shines!

Think of the thought leader as your primary audience. Make sure they have a great experience so they’ll refer others. Establish incentives programs (e.g., refrigerator magnets with your third appearance) to show you want them back and you’re establishing a relationship.

Look for clarity in what is the purpose of & essence of your podcast? This clarity will help you understand the scope of the range of guests! Be wise in setting that scope. Once set then you can look for people who can fit in! The purpose of the podcast is to highlight the conversation that can trigger insights & be Inspirational for anyone who listens. Select a format you are most comfortable to extract the maximum of the thought leadership elements from the guests!