Much like having a guest on your show can help to grow your audience, guesting on another podcast can open your show up to a whole new audience. But before you start sending inquiries to Crime Junkie or Smartless, check out our podcast etiquette on how to be the best podcast guest!
Network & Build Relationships
It may be tempting to send cold outreach emails to every podcast you know, but this approach often falls on deaf ears (or eyes in this case). The best way to guest on a podcast is to have some level of relationship with the host before reaching out.
We’ve talked before about the importance of networking and building relationships with other podcasters to help grow your show. Getting to know other podcasters, especially those with similar shows and audiences to yours, can be beneficial for everyone involved! There are plenty of ways to mingle with your fellow hosts; from sponsored podcast events, podcaster-only communities, and even growth tools like Cross-Promotions on RedCircle.
The key to finding the right podcast to guest on is to check whether or not the desired podcast has similar content to yours and a similar audience number. Much like Cross-Promotion campaigns, you want to make sure that both of you are benefitting from the partnership. This doesn’t mean that you can’t reach out to larger podcasts, just be ready to pitch yourself and your expertise!
General Etiquette
The real work begins once you secure a spot on a podcast! Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of general tips to help you be the stellar podcast guest we know you can be!
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
When guesting on a show, you don’t want to appear like you just stumbled into their studio space and picked up a mic! Do some research on the show you’re going to be speaking on:
- Read about the host and the podcast.
- Listen to a minimum of 2 episodes to get a feel for the show.
- Read through reviews on Apple and other sites.
- Have a few stories ready to share to help create an engaging conversation.
- If other guests are joining, be sure to read up on them, too.
Doing even just a little bit of research beforehand can help to impress your partner podcast host.
During the Recording
Alongside preparing for the upcoming conversation, there are a few things you can do during, and even before, recording the episode:
- Have an audio recording set up: This doesn’t have to break the bank, but even having a mic with some sound-dampening items on hand like towels or clothes can make a world of difference.
- Find a quiet space: Similar to having a recording set up, you’ll want to find a space free of distractions for the best recording environment.
- Be on time: This is pretty obvious, but make sure you’re set up and ready to record when the time comes! It’s not a good first impression to make others wait.
- Careful of noise: Be sure to stay aware of your movements and other sounds to ensure that you’re creating a pleasant audio experience.
Putting some effort into creating a good environment for your conversation will be greatly appreciated by your partner podcast host. It shows that you value their work and show!
Tips for After
You’re not done yet! There are still a few things to accomplish, especially if you want to be invited back in the future:
- Thank the host: Thank them for their time and the opportunity to appear on their show.
- Share the episode: Not only does this help drive traffic to the episode, but to both of your podcasts! Don’t let either of your hard work go to waste. Share it everywhere you can – social media, newsletters, your websites, even in casual conversations with friends!
Final Thoughts
A good podcast guest engages in the conversation, a great podcast guest does their research, respects the other host and their show, and promotes the episode afterward.
One last tip: Be your authentic self! Treat the conversation more as a talk between friends and less than a job interview. Relax, take a deep breath, and be yourself! You’ll do fantastic!
Looking to grow your show in either audience or revenue? RedCircle can help you do both!
