Podcasting: A free shortcut to getting readers (Part II)

Whether you know it or not, you want to be a frequent podcast guest! It’s the perfect way to increase your readership. Podcasting is a free and almost effortless way of reaching people in your field who may not yet have heard of you. 

Podcasting’s reach is enormous. According to PodCastHosting.org:

• 104 million Americans listen to a podcast at least every month

• 68 million listen weekly. 

• 93% listen to all or most of each episode

How Do You Become a Podcast Guest?

It’s surprisingly easy, as long as you’re willing to start small. Podcasters who are not yet widely-known are somewhere between eager and desperate to hear from you.

An easy way to find the smaller podcasters is to go to Podcasts.Apple.com.  Search for podcasters in your area of expertise and then, if you want to get an easy “yes,” to your pitch email, choose podcasters who don’t yet have many followers or haven’t yet done many podcasts.

Practice with the smaller podcasters, and then work your way up to the podcasters with millions of followers. After each podcast, ask the host for either (or both) a written testimonial or a video. Also, ask the host for referrals.  

What about the Pitch Letters?

I spend, on average, 30 minutes researching each podcaster before sending the pitch email. Although I use boiler plate for part of my pitch letters, I adjust what I’m saying so that it includes:

• Evidence that I’m familiar with their show 

• Information that this particular audience will find interesting and/or useful  

• Testimonials about me as a podcast guest

• A links to my website that features links to podcasts I’ve already been on. 

Something important: don’t even think of sending a form letter.  I’ve had podcasters tell me they get 150 pitch emails a day, and if it’s a form letter, they can tell instantly. 

So, if you aren’t already using podcasting to increase your readership, try it.  Being a guest on podcasts is a valuable tool to add to your professional talent stack.

“Look good! Make sure:

Both sides of your face are lit.

The camera is just a little above eye level. 

Your face is roughly an arm’s length from the camera.

There’s a width of 3 or 4 fingers between the top of your head and the top of the screen.”

— Mitzi Perdue

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Mitzi Perdue speaks on ways to combat human trafficking and also, on family businesses. In the last two years, she’s been on roughly 140 podcasts.  Reach her at Mitzi@MitziPerdue.com.  Her websites are: WinThisFight.org and MitziPerdue.com.