Are you looking for one of the most effective ways to reach your target audience, increase SEO, and build brand awareness? Are you wanting a forward-thinking marketing strategy? Then the enjoyable and effective forum of podcast guesting might be exactly what you need! 

Being featured as an expert guest on podcast shows is an effective tool that creates maximum results with relatively little effort.  

The more obvious marketing results are not the only pro to guesting. Being a podcast guest enables you to reach a new far-reaching audience, build relationships with listeners, and create loyal connections.  

Why podcasting? Why now? 

We won’t deny there are other great forums to connect with your audience. We wouldn’t be creating this blog if we weren’t convinced it would be sharing some valuable information with you! This being said, as guest blogging was popular throughout the 2010s, guest podcasting is the format of the 2020s and beyond! 

Podcasting is the content of today. It uses a very different set of skills and teaching tools to share your content in a personable and effective way.  

Each year the number of listeners tuning into podcasts goes up. There was a 75% increase in listeners between 2015-2020. So who is tuning in? Studies show that listeners are of above-average income and above-average education. These listeners are early adopters who are looking to add to their repertoire of knowledge, be in the loop of what is coming next, and are actively seeking to learn and improve. 

The amount of content that they are looking to consume is also quite high! In fact, over 50% listened to podcasts for approximately 7 hours per week. That’s a full hour every day that they are looking to actively attain knowledge. If you are an expert in your field, why not take the opportunity to share the valuable things that you have learned and continue establishing yourself as a thought-leader. 

Host Vs Guest, What’s Best for You? 

Are you a bit nervous or intimidated at the thought of hosting your own podcast? There is also the time, tech, and content aspect of having your own show to think about. On the other hand, podcast guesting is the perfect avenue to still get in on the benefits associated with the podcasting realm, but without the heavier commitment of hosting. Being featured as a guest is a great way to get started and gain experience in being behind a mic, and learn the processes involved! 

Being a podcast host is fantastic, don’t get us wrong on that! But there are certainly advantages to guesting, especially as you are just starting off. For example, if you are a host, there is a  commitment to regularity. Most podcasts air episodes at a regular time, whether it be once a day, once a week, or perhaps even once a month. It’s really important to keep up this routine, as your listeners will expect consistency. Herein lies a huge pro of being a guest. Being a guest lets you participate but on your schedule! You could do one interview in a month – you could do eight interviews in a month. You can take a month or two off, it’s totally your call!  

Be a guest – let the host take care of the rest. 

You could think of it as a dinner party. Do you want to be the hardworking host, preparing ahead of time, working hard the day of in the kitchen, taking the lead on ensuring your party is entertaining, and then having the clean-up to do after? Or do you want to be the guest who simply has to arrive and enjoy the party?  

Ultimately, the simplicity of being a guest is hard to beat. Once it has been scheduled, all you have to do is show up, have a great conversation and be generous with your knowledge and experience. 

You can further simplify the process by working with a podcast booking agency that will take care of all the scheduling and planning for you. You can skip the time-consuming aspect of researching and finding good-fitting shows, emailing hosts, and scheduling the interview date - you can simply turn up and get straight to your interview. 

As a guest, you also have the opportunity to tap into other people’s networks. Each host has their own unique circle and network to who they are essentially introducing you. When you feature as an expert guest on a show the result is not only an increase in the quantity of your audience but most importantly, in the quality.  

Prepping for Success 

Every good guest should be well prepared for each interview. The result of your thoughtful preparation will be an interesting and captivating episode that will be easy on the ears and draw a listener to tune in again.  

Your toolkit for podcasting success needs to include a good internet connection, a quality microphone, a computer, and a quiet area. We recommend that you check out our blog “How to Improve Your Sound Quality for Podcast Guesting”! We have helpful tips on setting up your ideal space for recording, how to minimize disruptions, and some guidance on great-value microphones.

Before you appear as a guest, make sure you listen to an episode or two of the podcasts ahead of time. This allows you to have a background of the host’s personality, and get to know the audience that you will be speaking to. Once you understand those key elements, then you can tailor your communication style and key points. 

Teach vs Tell 

To avoid sounding like you are over-selling yourself or your business, focus on teaching your audience a few key takeaway points that will add value to their lives. Share experiences that you have been through, challenges you have overcome, and the practices that led you to your successes in life. Do not be afraid to weave a humorous story about your background into the interview if that is your style! 

Numbers and statistics certainly have their place, but they often do not have an endearing effect when they are not coupled with the human factor. Your listeners want to hear your story! Sure you made six figures this year, but how did you personally achieve those figures?  What was your motivating force? What kind of routine helped you achieve these results? What obstacles did you personally overcome, and what drives you to keep climbing higher?  

If you are questioning if you should implement a certain point in your interview, ask yourself, is this going to draw, or is this going to drive? Is this going to naturally draw your audience to you as a person, as a company, and as a product, or will it come across as an attempt to forcefully drive them to action? No one wants to feel like they are forced to do something! 

Podcasts are based on teaching and giving, and listener’s trust grows as they continue to learn helpful information from you. Ultimately, a listener who trusts you is going to be a consumer who is drawn to your product or service. They are learning about the person behind the company, and not just a name or logo they see on a website or product.  

Creating Connections  

When someone has specifically chosen to take an interest in a certain podcast and hand-selected a certain topic, it tells you a lot about them. We are surrounded by a wealth of information, in so many different forms. This focused group of listeners results in a high-quality engaged audience who will hopefully connect with you and your message.

What can you do to foster this environment? When you genuinely connect with the host and put forth an effort to build a relationship with them, it will come across clearly in your tone and manner of speaking. When being interviewed be generous with your information on a personal and business level. Offer the audience a call-to-action, for example, mention a website page they can visit where they can register for a free gift or free download. If you focus on having an attitude of giving rather than receiving you will be a successful podcast guest and will see great results.

We hope this has helped you see how podcast guesting can become an integral part of your marketing strategy. By using the tools and tips we have shared, your interview is sure to be one that resonates with hosts and audiences, creating meaningful, long-lasting connections!