A lot of podcasts rely heavily on interviews. But if you’re not as well-known as Joe Rogan, how can you secure interviews with high-profile guests for your podcast? Finding winning guests is often the toughest part of running a podcast. If you’re just starting out, it’s hard to know where to begin, and even if you’ve been in the game for a while, finding fresh voices can be tricky.
A strong branding and an active social media presence is definitely helpful, but there are other things that need to be taken into account when hunting for top-notch podcast guests!
Steps For Booking Great Guests For Your Podcast
Put Out an Announcement
If you’re new to podcasting and haven’t started your show or have low listener numbers, asking for guests can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re worried about your stats. A simple way around this is to put out a call for guest speakers.
You could also try creating a survey within the podcast itself or ask a group of people who are part of your target audience. You can do this on platforms like Facebook Groups or Slack Channels (but not company ones), or any other online forums where you regularly participate.
You can start by simply sharing the name and concept of your podcast, along with its link. You should also mention that you’re looking for guests to chat about certain topics. If your group is active enough, this could help you build a good list of potential interviewees.
Create a Short-List of Guests
You must think carefully about who you want to invite as a guest on your podcast. Who you choose really depends on what your podcast is all about, who listens to it and what you hope to achieve with each episode. The best guests will be those who can provide real insights and useful information for your listeners.
One way to find more guests for your podcast is by inviting people who share similar interests and topics as yours. But don’t be afraid to think outside the box! You can also invite those from related or even contrasting fields to spark interesting conversations. To help you in this search, we recommend reviewing our “How To Look For A Podcast Guest” article, which can assist in finding excellent guests for your show.
Request via Emails
Once you’ve got a list of potential guests, it’s time to reach out with a well-crafted email.
It’s important to make your invitation stand out from the many others they might receive. To do that, give them solid reasons why they should come on your show. This could increase the chances of them saying yes.
Send a Follow-Up
When you send emails, sometimes people don’t respond.
If someone hasn’t replied in a good amount of time, it’s smart to send another email. This reminds them about your first message which they might have missed or accidentally marked as spam.
A second email makes your request seem more serious and gives the person a chance to ask any questions they might have. You don’t need to write a lot for this follow-up – just a short, clear sentence should do the trick.
Send a “Thank You” and a Reminder
Sending a ‘thank you’ email to a guest who agrees to be on your show is crucial. It’s our way of showing them that we value their time and the effort they put in. Remember, our guests are usually busy people who have taken out time just for us. A thank you note can help us build a better relationship with them which might even encourage them to come back for more shows in the future! Plus, it makes us look good—professional and considerate—which is always a plus.
It is recommended to send a reminder email to your guest the day before the interview to serve multiple purposes. This email can convey your enthusiasm for the interview and allow for a final review of minor details or any last-minute inquiries. You can also use this opportunity to supply your guests with any remaining information and address any preparation concerns. Additionally, you can ask for any necessary information you might have overlooked and ensure that your guest is comfortable and prepared to produce excellent content with you. Lastly, this email serves as a friendly reminder for both parties not to forget about the interview.
Improving The Efficiency Of Your Email Marketing Strategy
Ensuring the success of your email campaign requires optimization, which involves testing and refining your approach, measuring success through tracking metrics, and adhering to best practices to avoid spam filters.
- Test and refine your approach
Experiment with different email formats, subject lines, and messaging. Keep track of how many people open your emails and respond to them, and analyze their feedback to see what works best. Use this information to make adjustments to your approach over time.
- Measure success and track metrics
In order to gauge the effectiveness of your campaign and pinpoint areas for enhancement, it is important to monitor the quantity of invitations dispatched, the quantity of responses received, and the quantity of invitations accepted.
- Avoid spam filters
To prevent being marked as spam, it is important to adhere to email best practices. This involves utilizing a reputable email service, refraining from using words and phrases that may trigger spam filters, and keeping emails concise. Furthermore, always request permission from your recipients before adding them to your email list.
FAQs |
Should I pay my guest?I’m firmly against the idea of paying for interviews – it’s just not right and goes against ethics. Still, I understand that others may feel differently about this. If you’re ever in a position where you choose to pay for an interview, honesty is key. Always let your audience know about any financial transactions involved. Should I charge my guests?Using sponsored content to make money from podcasts might work for some shows. If you’re going to use sponsored content, at least tell your listeners about it. It’s like those paid articles in newspapers or blogs – people should know if they’re being used to generate income. Do I have to share my numbers?You don’t have to give your phone number to guests on your podcast. But sometimes, if a guest has a public relations team, they might ask for it. If this happens, think about how comfortable you are sharing your number and decide if having that guest on your podcast is worth it. Do I have to take every podcast guest that asks?Remember, it’s your podcast. You don’t have to include anything or anyone you’re not comfortable with. |
Booking Guests For Your Podcast Made Easy
Getting a popular guest on your podcast isn’t just about luck, it’s also about strategy. They might be looking to widen their own audience too, so the way you pitch yourself and your show to them can really make a difference.
Inviting guests onto your podcast takes time, hard work, and persistence. To draw in big-name guests, you need to focus on improving your podcast quality and marketing it well. As more people tune into your show and interact with it, you’ll have a better chance of persuading guests to come on board.
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