Podcast Pitching Secrets For Authors: What Podcast Hosts Actually Say Yes To (Part 2)

“I’d love to come on your show and talk about my new book” is one of the fastest ways to get ignored.In Part 2 of this series, we move from mindset to execution—breaking down exactly how to pitch podcasts in a way that gets attention, earns replies, and leads to bookings. Because podcast hosts aren’t looking for guests who want promotion—they’re looking for conversations their audience will care about.We start with the most common mistakes authors make, especially leading with the book instead of the idea. You’ll learn how to reframe your pitch into something a host or producer can instantly picture as a strong episode—and why clarity, specificity, and focus will outperform a long list of vague topics every time.From there, we cover smarter targeting:How to choose podcasts based on audience alignment, topic fit, and engagement—not just sizeWhy smaller, niche shows often outperform larger podcasts with broad, less-focused audiencesHow to think about podcast appearances as part of a long-term visibility strategyThen we get tactical about the pitch itself:What a strong podcast pitch email actually needs (and what to leave out)How to reduce decision friction and make it easy for a host to say yesWhat to include for credibility—links, short bio, past media—and how to present it cleanlyWe also address a common roadblock: what to do when a podcast doesn’t accept guests. Instead of moving on, we share smarter ways to build visibility and relationships through show engagement, social sharing, and strategic follow-up.If you want to become the kind of guest that podcasts are eager to book—and avoid the mistakes that get most authors ignored—this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap.Subscribe for more no-fluff book marketing strategies, share this with an author who’s pitching right now, and stay tuned for future episodes where we continue breaking down what actually works.Send us your feedback!Order Penny's latest book, Think Local Sell Global and start building a book sales strategy you have more control over!📱 Text Penny & Amy: Send your marketing questions, show feedback, and episode ideas. Text PODCAST to (888) 402-8940 to join and get new episode alerts. Save our number!⭐ Enjoying the show? Please follow the podcast and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your reviews help more authors discover the show!💬 Don't use Apple Podcasts or Spotify? Email your review to [email protected] and we'll feature it on our website.