How to appear on a business podcast

The appeal of appearing on a business podcast. Podcasts are available indefinitely 

Now, if you appear on TV and radio, think about it. You're on and you're gone. Get quoted in a newspaper and you're wrapping fish and chips the next day. I know they don't use newspapers to wrap them anymore, but you get the idea. 

Podcasts literally linger for years and years, and it's also completely free to appear. OK, so I'm assuming that I've now sold you on the idea of getting on a podcast. Where do we start? 

Want to appear on a business podcast? Consider you expertise

Step one. Consider your expertise. If you're a leader in an organisation, consider the range of expertise in the people around you. You might have people in finance manufacturing, tech, and HR. Lots of other areas. 

Look around you. You'll have a raft of talent and expertise in-house. So as long as they have knowledge, experience, and passion for their topic, they have the right credentials to appear on a show. 

Become a go-to expert on a business podcast

Remember, there are literally hundreds if not thousands, of business podcasts around covering countless niche subjects. They're constantly looking for great guests. They want go-to experts. They want people who can comment, and give their perspectives on stories in your industry, and that will mean you could sell yourself and sell your organisation. 

Find a podcast with your business niche and listen

Next, One. To succeed, you'll need to find podcasts that cover your business niche, and two, this is really important. Listen to those podcasts. 

I can't stress this enough. Listen, listening to a podcast will allow you to get a feel for the topics they cover and the issues they discuss. When you're listening, think to yourself. Is this podcast I'm listening to got, you know, great content. That's good quality. Is it the right fit for me? 

Do people with a similar professional standing to me appear on this show? So if you're an MD, are they looking to speak to other MDs or are they actually interviewing the Richard Branson's of this world? 

So do you fit in that way? Do you actually like the show? Are you enjoying it? Can you hear yourself appearing on it? And is it the sort of show that people you'd like to engage would listen to? 

More importantly, the other reason to listen is that not all podcasts have guests. This podcast doesn't have any guests. It's just me rambling on.  

How NOT to approach a business podcast as a guest

Let me dig out an email I got this week. 

Hi there. 

(Now, how hard would it have been to just put my name in there? This person clearly hasn't listened) 

My name's Brandon, and I'm the owner of SEO Optimizers. (Spelt with a Z. What?) 

I'm reaching out today because I'd love to be a guest on your podcast to talk about SEO. 

(What? This podcast is about media training, not SEO, you idiot. Delete.) 

If you want to be a business podcast guest, be smart about how you contact the show

I get about five of these spam emails a week. Lots of podcasters do. So don't be one of those people like Brandon who just fires off emails without doing your research. 

Let's get into how to properly contact a podcast host

Firstly, track down a show that's a good fit for you. You may already have one in mind. You may already listen to one that's in your industry. Don't just go for the obvious stuff. Like Diary of a CEO. Think niche. 

Ask your friends and colleagues. What do they listen to, ask for suggestions in groups on LinkedIn. 

Google it. You know, that's a really good way of finding podcasts. The accepted number one podcast directory is called Listennotes.com, jump on there and search because apps like Apple podcasts only display the most successful dozen shows from categories, and there are many, many more that you just won't find on those apps. 

So try listennotes.com or try Googling, scroll several pages down and you may find a more niche-specific podcast that is better suited to your industry. 

Look out for abandoned business podcasts

Remember, lots of podcasts have been abandoned and discontinued. You don't want to waste your time emailing a cancelled show. Listennotes will tell you when the last episode was made. 

Are you a good fit for the show?

If that was more than six months ago, that's not a good sign. So avoid those. So listen to shows, and make some mental notes on their format. What country are they based in? Does that show dive into guests' early careers, for example? Do they ask about triumph over adversity? Do they discuss topics that you are involved in in your industry? Find a show where you think Yes, I'm a good I'm a good fit. I could appear on that podcast. 

Want to appear on a business podcast? Be brave

Now, quick sidebar. This is the point where you really have to. How shall I put it, "grow some." Putting yourself out there can feel daunting, and that is completely normal. 

Remember, this isn't live TV and radio. It's just a podcast. They're pre-recorded and edited. So if you say something wrong, you can always say, can I do that bit again? And you know, podcast hosts aren't horrible and combative like you might hear on a kind of shock jock radio show or BBC Radio 4 Today Programme here in the UK. They're not there to beat you up. It's more of a chat and exchange of ideas. They're little more than a Zoom call. Basically easy, right? 

The right way to contact a business podcast

We've found some target podcasts. We've listened to them. How do we get in touch? Track down the host's email address. Most podcasts have a website. Contact them via LinkedIn, Google them and drop them an email.

Hi. (Insert the actual name of the podcast host. Don't say hi there.) 

I'm a regular listener to... (Insert the correct name of the podcast. Yeah, you're winning already.)

(Explain how you love the show and add a specific comment that shows you have listened. Now importantly, get to your expertise and the opinion you would like to share on their show.)

(So if this was me approaching another media training podcast, I would say something like), I've had a 30-year career working in the highest levels of TV and radio, and my opinion might be, I believe many business leaders miss media opportunities because they just lack confidence. 

(OK, don't forget to drop a call to action in your email.)

I'd love to appear on your podcast to share my ideas, insights and expertise. Please feel free to drop me an email or give me a call to discuss. 

Add your contact details. Hit. Send. 

Fingers crossed, if you don't hear anything after a few days, send a short reminder email along the lines of, you know, just check-in. Did you spot this? Are you interested? Because quite often people are busy. They might miss an email. Just send them a reminder. It does work. 

So have a go. Most podcasts are recorded remotely. You don't even have to go anywhere. They use systems such as Zoom or similar software that uses the mic built into your computer. You don't even need any specialist gear. 

And if you do get invited on the show, make sure you tell the world about it. Share it on LinkedIn. Share it on Twitter or X. 

Send a link to your colleagues, and put a link in your email footer. People will hear it. Get to know like and trust you a little better. It'll add instant credibility to you and your organisation. 

People needing your products and service will think. "Let's try that guest I heard on the podcast." 

So good luck. If this works for you, drop me an email and tell me all about it. I love to hear success stories. I'm on hello@bitfamous.co.uk. 

Thanks for listening