What is the one thing every podcaster wants? A great guest. But how do you get your dream podcast guest to say yes? The answer may surprise you. You need to write a pitch that will stand out from all of the other emails they receive. In this blog post, we’ll teach you what makes for an effective pitch and show you examples of successful pitches that landed guests on some of our favourite podcasts!
A pitch should be short and simple, usually no more than two or three paragraphs in length. Your email needs to stand out from the dozens (or even hundreds) of emails your guest has received each day. Be sure to include a brief description about yourself, what you want from this podcast appearance, and any other key information they need to say yes.
A successful pitch should be focused, engaging and memorable. The key to writing a good email is making sure that you capture your guest’s attention in the subject line, get their interest with an intriguing opening paragraph about why they should do this particular podcast appearance, then sell them on your show through a few well-crafted paragraphs explaining what, who, how and why.
Case Study: Booking Ibram X. Kendi on Wanna Be
Below is the actual email we used to book Dr Kendi (author of NYT bestseller How To Be An Anti-racist). We use a similar template for all guest booking, and of course, we refine and adapt based on the guest. I’ve highlighted some of the key areas that make this pitch successful.
The subject line for this particular email pitch was: FOA: Ibram X. Kendi – Award-winning Podcast Invitation.
- Keep your introductions brief and polite. Whether it goes direct to your guest or their agent, they don’t have time to read through your email, so get your ask in nice and early.
- Our podcast elevator pitch is 1 sentence and covers what it is (a podcast), who it’s for (women of colour), and how it helps (career opportunities). We then add social proof by placing the guest among their peers or people they know.
- Formatting is key with your stats. Do not bury them in rambling paragraphs. Put your most impressive information or stats first. The biggest number, name, award etc. This section reinforces why your podcast is worth paying attention to, even if you’re starting.
- Providing multiple dates shows flexibility and makes it harder for them to say no.
- All other non-essential should towards the end of the email. Setting a follow-up deadline gives an air of professionalism. It shows you’re working towards a schedule (which gives the impression of a bigger operation even if you’re just one person).
If your brand new to podcasting with no data or guests, then your email pitch should be no more than 2-3 brief paragraphs. Make it clear you’re pitching a podcast and what to expect from the experience of being on your show. Include how often you’ll contact them when they can expect feedback after airing their episode and how much time they will need for recording an interview.
You’re one step closer to getting your dream podcast guest! With this pitch, you should be able to get a response from most influencers or celebrities (if that’s who you’re after). Remember that the art of successful pitching is not in the way you ask but how well you listen and respond to their needs. By following these simple tips, we can help make sure your next email gets an answer quickly. Interested in learning more about our services? Join us over in The Club to share what’s worked for you with other members.
