How do you get booked on podcasts?
To get booked on podcasts, entrepreneurs typically identify podcasts that interview guests, research the audience, and send a short pitch with one clear topic idea that would benefit listeners. A strong pitch explains why the topic fits the show and includes a brief credibility line. Some entrepreneurs pitch podcasts themselves, while others work with podcast booking agencies that handle outreach.
Podcast guesting is one of the most effective ways for entrepreneurs to build authority, reach new audiences, and generate business opportunities.
But getting booked is not as simple as sending a few emails to podcast hosts.
Thousands of entrepreneurs pitch podcasts every week. Most of those pitches are ignored.
The difference between entrepreneurs who land interviews and those who do not usually comes down to three things:
- Choosing the right podcasts
- Sending a pitch hosts actually want to read
- Demonstrating real expertise
This guide walks through the process entrepreneurs use to get booked on podcasts in 2026.
What Podcast Hosts Actually Look For
Before you send a pitch, it helps to understand how podcast hosts choose guests.
Most hosts are not asking:
“Is this person interesting?”
They are asking:
Will this guest create a valuable episode for my audience?
Hosts usually look for three things.
Clear expertise
Podcast hosts want guests who can teach something specific.
Examples include:
- How entrepreneurs scale a company without burning out
- What investors look for in early stage startups
- The biggest mistakes companies make when adopting AI
Guests who pitch vague topics like “my entrepreneurial journey” rarely get booked.
Audience relevance
Strong pitches show that the guest understands the podcast’s audience.
Examples:
- A podcast for agency owners
- A show focused on startup entrepreneurs
- A podcast for women in leadership
If the topic clearly serves the audience, hosts pay attention.
Credibility
Hosts want listeners to trust the guest.
Credibility can come from many places:
- Running a successful company
- Publishing a book
- Speaking experience
- Unique data or research
- Measurable results with clients
You do not need to be famous. You do need to demonstrate expertise.
Step 1 – Identify the Right Podcasts
A common mistake entrepreneurs make is pitching the wrong shows.
Successful podcast guesting is about fit, not size.
A niche podcast with the right audience can generate far more leads than a large show with the wrong listeners.
Start with your target audience
Ask yourself:
- Who do I want as clients or customers?
- What podcasts do they listen to?
- What podcasts discuss topics related to my expertise?
For example, a founder who offers leadership consulting might target podcasts about:
- Leadership and management
- Startup culture
- Founder mental health
- Scaling teams
Look for podcasts that feature guests
Some podcasts are interview based. Others are solo shows.
Focus your outreach on podcasts that regularly feature expert guests.
Where to find podcasts
Good places to search include:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Google searches such as “top podcasts for entrepreneurs”
- Podcasts where your peers have appeared
- Podcast databases such as Listen Notes or Rephonic
- Social Media (Threads has a very active podcasting community)
- LLM’s (Chat GPT, Claude, Perplexity) – prompt specifically, “10 active podcasts with guests for accounting professionals”
Aim to build a list of 25-50 relevant podcasts before you start pitching.
Step 2 – Craft a Pitch That Gets Accepted
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Podcast hosts receive a large number of generic pitches.
Many look like this:
“Hi, I would love to come on your podcast and talk about my journey.”
These emails rarely get responses.
Strong pitches focus on the value of the episode, not the guest’s life story.
Elements of a strong podcast pitch
A good pitch usually includes the following.
A short introduction
Keep it brief.
Example:
I run a leadership advisory firm that helps startup CEOs scale from 10 to 100 employees.
One clear topic
Hosts prefer one strong topic rather than several vague ideas.
Example:
A topic that might resonate with your listeners is:
“The leadership mistake many entrepreneurs make once their company reaches 25 employees.”
Why it fits the podcast
Mention something specific about the show or the host and their business – connect the dots
Example:
We could have a conversation about how to use neuroscience to create better business opportunities. Since your audience listens to learn more about behavioral economics, this could complement your previous episodes.
A credibility line
Give the host a quick reason to trust your expertise.
Example:
I have coached more than 150 startup entrepreneurs and previously led a company through an acquisition.
A simple closing
End with a clear question.
Example:
Would this topic be interesting for your audience?
Keep it short
Most successful podcast pitches are 100 to 150 words.
Long emails rarely get read.
Step 3 – Build Credibility Before You Pitch
Podcast hosts want guests who will deliver strong interviews.
If a host has never heard of you, they will often look for signals that you are a credible guest.
Ways to build credibility
You do not need a large following, but it helps to show evidence of expertise.
Prior podcast appearances
Once you appear on a few podcasts, it becomes easier to get booked on others.
Hosts often listen to past interviews before saying yes.
Thought leadership
Publishing ideas helps establish authority.
This could include:
- Articles
- LinkedIn posts
- Research
- Case studies
- Data insights
A speaker or media page
Many podcast guests create a page on their website that includes:
- A short bio
- Podcast topics
- Previous interviews
- Professional photos
This helps hosts quickly evaluate potential guests.
Step 4 – Decide Between DIY Pitching or Hiring an Agency
Entrepreneurs typically approach podcast guesting in one of two ways.
Option 1: Pitch podcasts yourself
Many entrepreneurs start by handling outreach on their own.
Advantages:
- Lower cost
- Control over which podcasts you target
- A better understanding of the podcast landscape
Challenges:
- Research takes time
- Outreach requires persistence
- Many emails go unanswered
Consistent outreach is usually needed to generate bookings.
Option 2: Work with a podcast guest booking agency
Some entrepreneurs choose to outsource podcast outreach.
Podcast guest booking agencies research shows, pitch hosts, and coordinate interviews.
Examples include firms such as Interview Valet, which focuses on high volume bookings, and boutique agencies like Your Expert Guest, which specializes in placing women entrepreneurs and mission driven experts on aligned podcasts that generate outcomes such as leads, clients and speaking opportunities.
Working with an agency can save time and improve targeting for entrepreneurs who want a steady flow of podcast appearances.
Final Thoughts
Podcast guesting can be a powerful visibility strategy for entrepreneurs.
A strong podcast interview can help you:
- Reach new audiences
- Build credibility
- Form partnerships
- Attract clients
But successful podcast guesting rarely comes from sending random pitches.
entrepreneurs who get booked consistently focus on three things:
- Choosing the right podcasts
- Pitching clear, relevant topics
- Demonstrating real expertise
When done well, podcast guesting becomes a long term strategy that builds authority over time.
FAQ's About Getting Booked on Podcasts
How do you get booked on podcasts?
Most entrepreneurs get booked on podcasts by pitching podcast hosts with a clear topic that fits their audience.
The basic process looks like this:
- Identify podcasts that regularly interview guests
- Research the audience and past episodes
- Pitch one clear topic that would make a strong episode
- Include a short credibility line and relevant experience
- Follow up if you do not receive a response
Many entrepreneurs start by pitching podcasts themselves. Others choose to work with podcast booking agencies that handle outreach and scheduling.
How many podcasts should you pitch?
Most successful outreach campaigns start with a list of 25-50 relevant podcasts.
Not every podcast host responds to outreach emails, even when the pitch is strong.
For this reason, pitching a larger list improves the chances of landing several interviews.
The industry average is an acceptance rate of 10 percent of podcasts responding positively to well written pitches.
Do small podcasts matter?
Yes. Smaller podcasts often produce better results than large shows.
Niche podcasts usually have:
- A more targeted audience
- Highly engaged listeners
- A strong community around the show
If the listeners match your ideal clients or customers, even a small podcast can lead to meaningful opportunities.
Many entrepreneurs build momentum by appearing on several smaller podcasts before landing larger shows.
What should you talk about on a podcast?
Podcast hosts look for guests who can teach something useful to their audience.
Strong podcast topics are usually:
- Specific
- Practical
- Relevant to the audience
Examples include:
- Leadership lessons from scaling a company
- Marketing strategies that worked for your business
- Lessons learned from building a startup
- Mistakes entrepreneurs commonly make
Hosts rarely book guests who only want to talk about their personal story.
The topic should focus on what the audience will learn.
Is it worth hiring a podcast booking agency?
For some entrepreneurs, yes.
If you are a brand new entrepreneur, waiting until you have solid messaging, a core target audience and a marketing budget will help ensure success.
Podcast guest booking agencies handle the research, pitching, and scheduling involved in securing interviews.
This can save significant time, especially for entrepreneurs who want a consistent media presence.
Some agencies focus on high volume bookings, while others take a more curated approach. For example, firms like Interview Valet work with many entrepreneurs, while boutique agencies such as Your Expert Guest specialize in booking women entrepreneurs and mission driven experts on thoughtful podcasts.
Whether you pitch yourself or work with an agency depends on your budget, time, and visibility goals.
Common Podcast Pitch Mistakes
Many entrepreneurs struggle to get booked on podcasts because of a few common mistakes.
Avoiding these can dramatically improve your chances of getting a yes.
Pitching vague topics
Hosts want a clear idea of what the episode will cover.
Weak pitch topic example:
“I would love to talk about my entrepreneurial journey.”
Stronger pitch topic:
“The leadership mistake many entrepreneurs make when their team grows past 20 employees.”
Specific topics help hosts quickly imagine the episode.
Sending long emails
Podcast hosts are busy. Most pitches are scanned quickly.
Long emails filled with background information often get ignored.
Short, focused pitches are far more effective.
A strong podcast pitch is usually 100 to 150 words.
Pitching podcasts that are not a good fit
Some entrepreneurs send the same pitch to dozens of unrelated podcasts.
Hosts can tell immediately when the guest has not listened to the show.
A better approach is to mention something specific about the podcast and explain why your topic would resonate with the audience.
Making the pitch about yourself
Podcast hosts are focused on their listeners.
If the pitch talks mostly about the guest’s accomplishments, it may be ignored.
Strong pitches focus on:
- What the audience will learn
- Why the topic is relevant
- Why the guest has expertise
The goal is to show how the episode will benefit the listeners.
Not following up
Many podcast hosts simply miss emails.
Following up once or twice can significantly increase responses.
A short follow up email a week later is often enough.
Example:
Just checking in to see if this topic might be a fit for your podcast. I would love to join the conversation if it is helpful for your audience.
Persistence, done respectfully, often leads to bookings.
A Simple Checklist for Getting Booked on Podcasts
If you want to start appearing on podcasts, this checklist summarizes the core steps.
Podcast Guesting Checklist
- Define your audience
Be clear about who you want to reach.
Ask yourself:
- Who are my ideal clients or customers?
- What industries or communities do they belong to?
- What podcasts are they likely to listen to?
- Create 2–3 strong podcast topics
Before pitching podcasts, identify a few topics you can speak about with authority.
Good podcast topics are:
- Specific
- Practical
- Relevant to the audience
Example topics might include:
- The leadership mistake entrepreneurs make when their company hits 25 employees
- How to scale a service business without burning out
- The marketing strategies that helped us grow from $1M to $10M
- Build a list of target podcasts
Create a list of podcasts that regularly interview guests in your field.
Sources for finding podcasts include:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Google searches
- Podcast databases such as Listen Notes
- Podcasts where peers or competitors have appeared
Aim for a list of 25-50 relevant podcasts.
- Write a short pitch email
Your pitch should include:
- A brief introduction
- One clear topic idea
- A sentence about why it fits the podcast
- A short credibility line
- A simple closing question
Keep the email short and focused.
- Send personalized outreach
Avoid sending the exact same pitch to every podcast.
Mention something specific about the show, such as:
- A recent episode
- The host’s focus
- The audience they serve
Small details show the host that the pitch is thoughtful and relevant.
- Follow up if needed
Many podcast hosts miss emails.
Send a short follow up about 7 to 10 days later if you have not received a response.
Often the follow up email is what gets the booking.
- Prepare for the interview
Once you are booked, take time to prepare.
Listen to a few past episodes so you understand the format and tone of the show.
Come ready with:
- Stories
- Examples
- Practical advice for listeners
Great interviews often lead to referrals to other podcast hosts.
- Share the episode
When the episode goes live:
- Share it on LinkedIn and social media
- Include it in your newsletter
- Add it to a podcast appearances page on your website
This builds credibility and helps future podcast hosts see that you are a strong guest.