Create an AI version of you
Powered by the best in the business
Join the AI for coaches newsletter…
So you can leverage the power of AI
Get intentional about growing your brand by guesting on podcasts
Your expertise and experience could reach thousands of new people monthly. Podcast hosts need credible guests to serve their audiences, and coaching insights rank among their most requested topics. Yet most coaches stick to social media and content creation, missing the chance to tap into shows with engaged listeners already interested in their field.
Smart coaches know podcasts offer more than a platform to share ideas. Appearing as a guest puts you in front of qualified audiences, builds real authority, and creates opportunities that social media rarely matches. When you select the right shows and share your message effectively, one appearance can bring in more quality leads than months of regular content.
Speaking on podcasts opens doors that other marketing channels can’t. Unlike social posts or articles that compete for attention, podcast listeners give their full focus to episodes, often for 30 minutes or more. This creates unique advantages for coaches ready to share their expertise.
Podcast hosts invest years building loyal audiences who trust their judgment. When you appear as a guest, you borrow this trust instantly. Their listeners become your listeners, giving you focused attention without the usual barriers of social media algorithms or crowded feeds.
Many business and personal development podcasts attract listeners actively seeking guidance. These aren’t casual scrollers – they’re investing time to learn and grow. A single appearance on a well-matched show puts you in front of hundreds or thousands of potential clients who match your target profile.
Getting featured on respected podcasts signals your expertise to potential clients. People notice which shows you appear on, and hosts become peers rather than just platforms. This positioning matters – being introduced as today’s expert guest carries more weight than self-promotion on social media.
Top shows vet their guests carefully, protecting their reputation and audience trust. Getting accepted as a guest validates your expertise, and each appearance adds another credential to your profile. This builds social proof that resonates with future clients and opportunities.
Each podcast appearance generates valuable content without you spending hours creating it. The host handles the production while you simply share your knowledge in conversation. This gives you professional audio content perfect for repurposing across other channels.
Short clips from your appearances work well on social media, while the full episodes give you linking opportunities for your website and emails. One hour of recording often yields weeks of content, maximising your time investment while maintaining quality.
Most podcasts publish show notes or episode pages linking to their guests’ websites. These backlinks from established media sites boost your search engine rankings, helping potential clients find you more easily. Unlike paid links or guest posting, these backlinks come naturally through real media appearances.
Show notes often rank well for relevant search terms, creating another way for people to discover you. When someone searches for topics you’ve discussed on podcasts, these episode pages can appear in results, extending your reach beyond the original listener base.
Looking for podcast opportunities takes time. Without a clear strategy, you’ll waste hours pursuing wrong-fit shows or preparing scattered appearances. Most coaches dive in randomly, saying yes to any invitation. But treating podcast guesting like a planned campaign brings better results and protects your time.
Block specific time periods for your podcast appearances rather than spreading them across the year. This focused approach, known as a podcast tour or season, helps build momentum and awareness in your market. Top coaches typically book 8-10 appearances within a 4-6 week window.
Choose your recording window thoughtfully, aligned with your work and life commitments. While preparing and recording episodes demands significant mental energy, clustering them together keeps your ideas fresh and your stories consistent. Setting clear boundaries around your availability signals professionalism and creates natural urgency when reaching out to podcast hosts.
Your expertise covers many areas, but podcast tours work best with a clear focus. Pick one or two key themes you want to be known for this quarter. This helps you craft compelling pitches and ensures your message builds consistently across appearances.
Rather than adapting your topic for each show, having a clear angle makes you more memorable and helps hosts see exactly how you’ll serve their audience. When every appearance reinforces your core message, listeners who hear you on multiple shows remember your expertise.
The quality and reach of podcasts varies massively, as will their benefit to your brand and business. Finding the right shows requires clear principles and a systematic approach to evaluation.
Look beyond surface-level numbers to real audience engagement. Some shows have modest but highly engaged audiences, while others claim impressive download figures but generate little listener interaction. Be wary of inflated metrics – some shows boost their numbers to attract guests and sponsors.
Give your virtual assistant clear criteria when researching shows: genuine listener reviews, active social media engagement, guest quality, and episode consistency. Don’t rely on single metrics like YouTube views – a show might have low video numbers but maintain a strong audio-only following on platforms like Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Take the shows you’ve researched and set clear standards for your final selection. Build a shortlist of 20-30 podcasts, ranking them based on the metrics you gathered: audience engagement, listener reviews, episode consistency, and host credibility. Your shortlist should mix established and newer shows.
Don’t dismiss smaller podcasts – they often make perfect starting points. While their reach might be limited, they’re typically easier to book and provide valuable practice. Plus, many hosts network with each other, so impressing on a smaller show can lead to bigger opportunities. For each show, note their specific requirements, episode format, and preferred contact method. Some require formal applications through their website, while others prefer warm introductions through mutual connections.
Your pitch needs to stand out among dozens of guest requests. Create a template that highlights your unique angle and specific value to their audience. But personalise each outreach – hosts can spot mass emails instantly.
Set up a simple tracking system for your outreach efforts. Note when you contact each show, their response, and any follow-up needed. This prevents awkward double-pitching and helps you manage relationships professionally.
Top podcasts check potential guests thoroughly. If you’ve managed to capture their attention, don’t fall at the final hurdle. Your LinkedIn profile needs to be primed. Your website should position you professionally too. Create a simple media page with professional photos, previous podcast clips, and speaking credentials.
Consider how you sound on audio; clear speech and good audio quality matter more than fancy equipment. If needed, practice with smaller shows or record sample episodes to refine your delivery before targeting bigger platforms. Good podcasts are protective of their brand; ensure you’re a force to grow it, not put it at risk.
Getting booked is just the beginning. Top coaches know that preparation and delivery separate forgettable guests from memorable experts who attract new clients. Smart preparation helps you make the most of every appearance, turning listeners into potential clients.
Study recent episodes of the podcast before your appearance. Listen to how the host structures conversations and note any standard questions they ask every guest. Pay special attention to their opening questions and how they transition between topics – these moments often trip up unprepared guests.
Request briefing notes if they haven’t been provided. Quality shows typically share these, outlining their audience, format, and technical requirements. Understanding their listeners’ challenges helps you tailor your examples and advice for maximum impact. If they don’t send notes, email to ask about their audience demographics, interests and typical pain points.
Prepare 3 or 4 signature stories that showcase your expertise and methodology. Choose examples that your target clients will relate to, focusing on clear transformations and results. Practice telling these stories concisely – podcast time moves quickly. Test different versions with colleagues to find the most impactful way to share each story in under three minutes.
Structure your key talking points around these stories, creating a natural flow between your core messages. This isn’t about scripting answers, but rather having clear threads to follow. Map your expertise to the show’s typical topics and audience interests. Write down specific phrases or analogies that consistently land well with clients – these often resonate with podcast audiences too.
Create a professional recording environment with good lighting and a clean background. Small details matter – viewers notice messy bookshelves or poor lighting, which can distract from your message. Position your camera at eye level and ensure natural light hits your face from the front or side, not behind you. Test your setup before the recording to ensure everything works smoothly.
Your energy needs to be higher than feels natural – cameras and microphones dampen enthusiasm significantly. What feels over-animated to you often comes across as simply engaged and passionate to listeners. Stand up if it helps you maintain energy, and keep water nearby to stay refreshed.
Consider recording your side of the conversation separately with another camera angle. This gives you more options for creating social media content later. A simple phone recording on a tripod works well as a second angle. Note down timestamps when you share particularly valuable insights or stories – this makes content creation easier afterwards.
Keep track of key moments during recording. Whether it’s a powerful analogy or an unexpected insight, these timestamps become valuable reference points for repurposing content later. Have a notebook ready or use your phone’s notes app to quickly mark these moments without disrupting the flow of conversation.
Know exactly where you want to direct interested listeners after the episode. Have a specific, memorable call to action ready – whether that’s a special resource, your AI coaching tool, or a clear way to connect with you. Make it easy for engaged listeners to take the next step. Create a simple URL they can remember, ideally including your name or brand.
Set up unique tracking links for each podcast appearance. This helps measure which shows drive the most engagement and lets you track your podcast guesting ROI. Consider creating special landing pages that reference the specific show, making visitors feel acknowledged. Tools like Bitly or Simple URL make tracking easy, and you can provide these shortened links to hosts for their show notes.
Recording a great episode is just the beginning. Smart promotion turns a single appearance into weeks of content and opportunities. Most coaches miss these crucial steps after recording, limiting the value of their guest spots.
Follow up with your host within 24 hours of recording. Thank them specifically for moments you enjoyed and ask about their expected release timeline. Many hosts network with other podcasters – if your conversation went well, ask if they know other shows where your message might resonate.
Build relationships with hosts beyond your appearance. Like and share their content occasionally, and stay in touch without asking for anything. These connections often lead to repeat appearances or introductions to bigger platforms.
Check the host’s preferences about using your recorded content. Some welcome pre-promotion, while others prefer waiting until release. Once you have permission, use your separate recording angle to create video clips with captions for social media. Try some portrait style for short form-friendly platforms.
Turn key moments into different content types. A short but powerful story might become a clip on YouTube or TikTok, while a framework explanation could make an excellent carousel. Always lead with value when sharing – tell viewers exactly what they’ll learn from the full episode.
Write compelling LinkedIn posts that highlight specific value from the episode. Start with a strong hook about the problem you addressed or insight you shared. Tag the host and show, but make your post valuable even for those who don’t listen.
Plan your promotion across platforms. Space out your content rather than sharing everything at once. Each piece should work independently while pointing interested viewers to the full episode. Having a release date for your upcoming episodes is useful for planning your promotion.
Set up a simple system to monitor traffic from each appearance. Track website visits, email signups, and any direct outreach mentioning specific episodes. This data helps you identify which shows and topics resonate most with your target audience.
Note which promotional posts perform best. These insights help you refine your content strategy for future appearances. Keep a record of successful formats and approaches – what works for one episode often works for others.
Start by dedicating next month to research and planning. Spend the first two weeks building your shortlist of 20-30 podcasts that match your expertise. Research their audiences, formats, and requirements thoroughly. Create a simple spreadsheet to track show details, listener demographics, and contact information. Use this time to craft your unique angle and prepare your guest profile, including your key stories and frameworks.
Month two focuses on outreach. Block out 30 minutes daily for personalised pitches and follow-ups. Aim to contact 3-4 shows each week, marking responses and next steps in your tracker. Expect varied response times – some hosts reply within hours, others might take weeks. As bookings come in, schedule them within your chosen recording window, ideally 2-3 months from now. This buffer ensures you have time to prepare thoroughly for each show while maintaining momentum in your business. Use this lead time to optimise your recording setup and develop your tracking systems.
Podcast guesting isn’t about quick wins – it’s about strategic positioning and consistent growth. Quality research and preparation set you apart from coaches who pitch randomly and hope for the best. Take time to get your strategy right, then execute with purpose.
Your expertise deserves to reach the right audiences. When you approach podcast guesting systematically, each appearance builds on the last, creating compound benefits for your coaching business. The coaches seeing the biggest returns aren’t just booking podcasts – they’re building a platform for long-term growth.
Powered by the best in the business
Join the AI for coaches newsletter…
So you can leverage the power of AI
