How to Pitch Podcasts and 10x Your Chance of a Yes

In this episode we talk about how to put together your podcast pitch to ten times your chance of a yes from hosts, how to set up your media kit and what to include in your podcast information sheet.Download your free copy of our professionally-designed CANVA podcast information sheet template here Get in Touch with Victoria BennionGet in Touch with Victoria BennionLearn more about us: https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/Download our free Podcast Guest Starter Kit: https://thebestpodcastguest.co.uk/podcast-guest-starter-kit/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebestpodcastguestJoin the Best Podcast Guest Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebestpodcastguestSubscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@victoriabennionConnect with Victoria on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriabennion/TranscriptWelcome to this week’s episode of the Best Guest podcast where we’re going to be talking about how to pitch to podcast hosts and 10 times your chance of getting a yes.We have pitched our clients to hundreds of shows and have gathered plenty of feedback from podcast hosts allowing us to refine our approach, so we know what tends to work and what doesn’t.If you listened to our last episode you’ll have your equipment in place and will have a list of podcasts that you’re ready to reach out to.But before you write your pitch get your media kit set up.In your media kit you’ll want to include at least one high resolution headshot, one short and one long biography, if you’re an author include your latest book cover and information about your book, and finally your podcast information sheet, which is an interactive PDF sometimes referred to as a one sheet. It shows hosts who you are and what value you will bring to the show.We created branded PDFs for our clients and will drop a link in the show notes to a CANVA template that you can use to create your own.In your PDF you’ll want to include your headshot, biography of approximately 200 words, approximately 3-5 topics you could talk about and 3-5 questions. Also include all your contact details: your email address, website, social media handles and Skype address.It’s a good idea to create a Google doc of information that you’ll be frequently ask when applying to be a guest on podcasts. If you do this at the beginning you’ll have it to copy and paste. Add your address, links to your social media platforms and website and note how many followers you have on social media and your email list as some hosts will ask this.It’s important the 3-5 questions you include demonstrate the value you’ll bring as a guest. Avoid questions about you because this information will come out during the interview. Pull out questions that will make you stand out from others in your field.For example, one of our author clients includes: How do you successfully marry serious topics with humor in your writing? Another client includes:How did you consistently grow your company by at least 50% per year for five years? Once you have your media kit set up you’re ready to write your podcast pitch. Now you may be thinking you can dash off a letter which tells the host about your accomplishments and ask to be on their show, just changing who you’re addressing it to, Dear Tracey, Dear Frank and wing it off on email and wait for the Yes’s to come in.You’re not the only one to have thought this is all it takes but remember hosts receive a great many pitches a week so you need to do everything in your power to stand out. Your pitch needs to demonstrate why having you on as a guest is a clear win for the host.Be honest. If you have only recently discovered their show, say that. Avoid the generic statement, ‘I love your show.’ If there was something in an episode that you really connected with, let them know. Don’t take a short cut with this by picking something out of the show notes because the host will realise this is what you’ve done. Leave a reviewBefore we pitch a show we leave five stars on iTunes and mention we’ve done this in the first paragraph of the pitch.If you want to be a guest obviously you think the show is great so this part is a no brainer. You can also leave them a review or promise to do so later in your pitch.This goes down really well with hosts. They often respond thanking us for taking the time to leave 5 stars. Let the host know that you understand who their audience is eg, Given your audience’s interest in xxx would they be interested in learning about xxx?Then tell the host briefly why you are qualified to help with this topic with some bullet points about what you could cover.If they’ve created an episode on something related to the topic you want to cover you could say, On this episode you talked about xxx. Following on from that conversation I could talk about xxxSpread the wordBefore you sign off you should tell the host what you will do for them.Be clear about how you intend to help them spread the word about their show on your platforms and if you have a sizeable audience mention this (but don’t worry if you don’t.) Go above and beyondIf it’s a podcast you’re very keen to be a guest on think what else you could offer the host.We’ve had clients who offer a copy of their book for the host to give away to their listeners and clients who have created specific freebies for a show such as a training or workbook. Include a link to your media kit where the host can access your client’s information. This makes their life easier as they know they won’t have to chase you for the information they need if you appear on their podcast. Pitching methodNow you don’t have to send your podcast pitch via email. Reach out in the way the host requests. This could be via social media. You could also send a loom video or audio message.And you’re all set! I’ll leave a link in the show notes so you can download a free copy of the podcast pitch template we’ve used to secure our clients hundreds of podcast interviews along with a professionally-designed CANVA podcast information sheet template.Good luck with your pitching – and if you need any support don’t hesitate to get in touch