Podcast Guest Pitches Falling Flat? How to Train Your In-House Team for Success

Or, in other words, Don't Make Us Work To Have You On Our Show!

In recent months, there's been a noticeable surge in poorly executed podcast guest pitches which is time-consuming and these requests will almost always wind up in the junk or trash folder. As a podcaster, I've received far too many requests from individuals who lack understanding of the process and fail to provide essential information. It's become apparent to me that these inquiries are often coming from untrained company employees or hastily assigned virtual assistants, rather than experienced podcast placement professionals.

If you're a company looking to secure podcast appearances for your experts or executives, it's crucial to properly train your in-house team. Here's a comprehensive guide to help your staff make impactful podcast guest pitches that won't be immediately dismissed.

Understand the Podcaster's Perspective

Before diving into outreach, your team needs to grasp what podcasters are looking for. We receive numerous pitches daily, and those that stand out and receive positive responses provide clear, concise, and relevant information. Train your team to put themselves in the podcaster's shoes.

Research is Non-Negotiable

Many pitches fail because they demonstrate zero familiarity with the podcast. Teach your team to thoroughly research each podcast before reaching out. They should understand the show's:

- Core topics and themes

- Target audience

- Typical episode format

- Recent episodes and guests

Craft a Compelling Guest Bio

A common pitfall is providing vague or irrelevant guest information. Your team should learn to create concise yet informative guest bios that highlight your:

- Full name and current professional title

- Areas of expertise relevant to the podcast

- Notable achievements or publications

- Unique perspectives or experiences they can offer

- Links to other podcasts they have been on

Clearly Articulate the Value Proposition

Train your team to explicitly state why the proposed guest would be valuable to the podcast's audience. They should be able to answer: "What unique insights can this guest offer that aligns with the podcast's focus?" Cookie-cutter approaches rarely succeed. Emphasize the importance of tailoring each pitch to the specific podcast and host.

Provide Necessary Links and Resources

Ensure your team includes links to the guest's:

- Professional website

- Relevant social media profiles

- Recent articles, interviews, or talks

This saves the podcast host time and demonstrates the guest's credibility.

Suggest Specific Discussion Topics

Generic pitches often fail. Coach your team to propose 3-5 specific topics the guest could discuss, ensuring they align with the podcast's theme.

Be Prepared for Follow-Up

Many pitches fall flat in the follow-up phase. Teach your team to:

- Respond promptly to inquiries

- Be prepared with additional information or materials

- Handle scheduling professionally

Learn from Feedback

Encourage your team to seek and learn from feedback, even from rejections. This can provide valuable insights for improving future pitches. By investing time in properly training your in-house team, you can dramatically improve the quality and success rate of your podcast guest pitches. Remember, a well-crafted pitch not only increases the chances of securing a podcast appearance but also starts the relationship with the podcaster on the right foot.

With the right training and approach, your in-house team can become adept at securing valuable podcast opportunities that benefit both you and the shows you appear on.