How to Write a Great Podcast Outreach Email

You’ve done all the leg work of finding podcasts and their contact information, now it’s time for the moment of truth: writing and sending a podcast outreach email that convinces a podcast host to have you on their show. This step is the most crucial and unfortunately the most difficult. Let’s dig in.

1) Listen to the Podcast

The first step of crafting a pitch is listening to the podcast you’re interested in. You’ll be able to tailor your pitch to the host better after you know the tone of their show, as well as their style of interviewing.

Listening to their show will also help you stand out. Podcasters receive generic pitches all day. By being familiar with the show, you can stand out by making a personalized pitch.

One rule to live by regarding how to write a great podcast outreach email: “show them you know them.”

And the best way to do that is by actually listening to a few episodes, pulling relevant quotes, and building a bridge from the host’s quotes to your guest’s credentials.

2) Find an Angle

Once you’ve learned more about the podcast, ask yourself, “what can I bring to the table?” You’ll need to convince the host that you can bring a unique perspective or discussion topic to their podcast. A running podcast, for example, probably doesn’t need any guests discussing “how to run your first 5K”, as it’s likely already been discussed at length on other episodes.

The podcaster’s goal is to create great content for their show and ultimately grow their audience. When you’re trying to find your angle, be sure to consider how you can contribute to the podcaster’s continuing success.

Here are 4 ideas you can use to help develop your angle.

Actionable (here’s how)
Analytical (here are the numbers)
Aspirational (yes, you can)
Anthropological (here’s why)

Actionable: These are actionable, implemental pieces of content. The podcast listener should gain some new insight or instruction they didn’t have beforehand. This includes: Tips, Hacks, Resources, Ultimate Guides. Take your core idea and help the listener put it into practice.

Analytical: These are breakdowns involving numbers, frameworks, and processes. Take your core idea and support it with numbers and analysis. This includes: Industry trends; Surprising numbers; Why your idea works. Help the listener unlock a new way of thinking.

Aspirational: These are stories of how you or others put your core idea into practice. This includes; lessons, mistakes, reflections, underrated traits, how to get started. Help the listener understand the benefits they unlock when they see the world through this new lens.

Anthropological: These are things that speak to universal human nature. Including; fears, failures, struggles, why others are wrong, how you’ve been misled. Create a sense of urgency for the listener to fully embrace your core idea or be left behind.

3) Explain Your Credentials

The last element to include in your pitch is your credentials. If you’ve already guested on other podcasts, let them know, and be sure to include a link to your Podchaser creator page. With that one link, the podcaster can quickly see your whole podcasting resume as well as immediately listen to your other appearances.

But don’t be discouraged if you haven’t been on podcasts yet, as there are still a few ways to share your credentials.

If you have a video or audio recording of you discussing your area of expertise, share it with the podcast host. This will not only show that you know what you’re talking about but also prove that you are a compelling public speaker.

If you don’t have that either, don’t fret. Simply explain your credentials in a concise way, similar to summarizing your resume in a job interview.

4) Promise to Promote Their Show

If you have an online following, promise to cross-promote your guest appearance to your audience. It’s a win-win situation, where the host’s audience is exposed to you, and your audience is exposed to the podcast.

5) Be Concise

Our final tip for writing your pitch is to get to the point. Your goal is to receive a response to your email, which is an uphill battle. To do this you need to spark attention but not overwhelm. You have to resist the urge to include everything.

With all that in mind, don’t meander in your pitch. In under 200 words – describe who you are, what you like about the podcast, what you’d like to discuss on the show, and how your appearance would benefit the podcast and its audience.