How to Land More Guest Spots: Radio and Podcast Guest Tips
Follow these radio and podcast guest tips to get booked, shine on air, and build your influence.
Want to grow your brand, become a go-to authority, or connect with new listeners?
Appearing as a guest on podcasts and radio is one of the best ways to do it. It’s not about chasing followers or going viral, but about having real conversations that position you as a credible voice in your field. And it works.
Just ask our founder, James Mulvaney. He’s been a guest on over 200 shows, reaching millions of listeners and driving meaningful growth for his businesses. Not through gimmicks, but by consistently sharing value.
Whether you're a business owner, author, consultant, or thought leader, these radio and podcast guest tips will help you get booked, make a great impression, and build lasting connections. And if you want to dive even deeper, the Podcast Guest Academy offers a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on mastering podcast and radio appearances, taught by James himself.
Let’s get into it.
Why Guest Interviews Still Matter
Podcasts and radio offer something special: real connection. When people listen to you speak, they hear your voice, your passion. That builds trust.
A lot of trust, in fact. A study by Deloitte found that 75% of listeners trust the hosts they listen to, making them more like influencers than simply hosts.
Being a guest positions you as someone worth listening to. And that trust? It can open doors to new opportunities, from more leads to greater credibility.
But many people miss out because they don't know where to start. So let’s break it down, step-by-step.
Step 1: Find the Right Podcasts and Radio Shows
One of the most crucial radio and podcast guest tips is to find the right shows. Not all opportunities are created equal. You want to focus your energy on shows that align with your target audience and goals.
To find these ideal platforms, first, define your target audience. Ask yourself: Who are you trying to reach? What are their interests and pain points? What shows do they already listen to?
Next, research relevant shows using online directories like MatchMaker.fm or through search engines to find podcasts and radio programs in your niche. Look for shows with an audience that matches your target audience, and consider both large and small shows, as niche shows can be incredibly valuable.
Finally, evaluate each opportunity by listening to past episodes to get a feel for the show's format and tone, checking the show's website and social media presence, assessing the host's interviewing style, and ensuring the show's values align with your own.
Step 2: Craft a Compelling Pitch
Once you've identified the right shows, it's time to introduce yourself as a potential guest. Think of your pitch as your first impression – you want to make it count.
To craft a compelling pitch, start by personalizing your message. Address the host directly, show that you're familiar with their show, and mention a specific episode or guest you enjoyed. This demonstrates that you've done your homework and aren't sending a generic email.
Next, highlight your credibility. Clearly state your area of expertise, explain why you'd be a valuable guest, and offer unique insights or perspectives that would benefit their listeners. What can you bring to the table that's fresh and engaging?
Then, propose engaging topics. Suggest specific discussion points that align with the show's format and cater to their audience's interests. Always focus on providing value. What will listeners gain from hearing you speak?
Finally, keep it concise and professional. Be respectful of the host's time by getting straight to the point and avoiding lengthy introductions or biographies. Make it easy for them to take the next step by including a clear call to action: suggest a specific date or time for a call, and provide links to your website or media kit for easy access to more information.
Following these radio and podcast guest tips can significantly increase your chances of landing that coveted guest spot.
Step 3: Prepare for Your Guest Appearance
Congratulations, you've been booked as a guest! Now it's time to prepare for your appearance. Proper preparation is key to delivering a great interview and maximizing your impact.
To prepare like a pro, start by researching the host and show. Get a feel for their background, interviewing style, and the show's format. What kind of questions do they typically ask? Are there any potential areas where your expertise might overlap or even conflict with their views?
Next, define your key talking points. What are the main messages you want to get across? Craft concise and memorable points, and avoid the temptation to ramble or go off-topic. Stay focused.
It's also worth trying to anticipate potential questions. What is the host likely to ask you? Prepare thoughtful and engaging answers, and practice delivering them out loud. This will boost your confidence and help you sound natural.
Gathering supporting materials is another smart move. Prepare any relevant statistics, examples, or compelling stories that illustrate your points. Have links to your website or other resources readily available, and consider providing the host with a media kit to streamline their preparation.
Finally, practice your delivery. Speak clearly and confidently, vary your tone and pace to keep listeners engaged, and be mindful of filler words like "um" or "uh." Polishing your delivery is one of the most effective radio and podcast guest tips for ensuring a successful interview.
Step 4: Deliver a Memorable Interview
The interview is your moment to shine. By keeping these radio and podcast guest tips in mind, you'll not only impress the host but also leave a lasting mark on their audience.
To make the most of your time, be enthusiastic and engaging. Show your genuine passion for the topic, speak with energy, and strive to connect with both the host and the listeners. Let your personality come through.
Engaging storytelling is also key. Use anecdotes and examples to bring your points to life, making them more relatable and memorable. Keep your stories concise and relevant, ensuring they support your overall message.
But above all, provide valuable content by focusing on actionable advice and insights. Offer unique perspectives and fresh ideas, and always avoid turning the interview into a blatant sales pitch. Your priority should be giving the audience something worthwhile.
Of course, it's essential to be respectful of the host. Listen attentively to their questions, avoid interrupting or talking over them, and express your sincere gratitude for their time and the opportunity to be on the show.
Finally, promote your work naturally and subtly. Mention your website or offers only when it's relevant to the conversation, always prioritizing value over promotion. Consider offering listeners a special discount or a free resource as a way to further connect with them.
By following these guidelines, you'll deliver interviews that are both impactful and enjoyable.
Step 5: Follow Up After the Interview
The interview isn't the end of the process. Following up is crucial for building relationships and maximizing the impact of your appearance.
For an effective follow-up, start by thanking the host. Send a personalized thank-you note within 24 hours of the interview, expressing your genuine gratitude for the opportunity and mentioning a specific aspect of the conversation you particularly enjoyed.
Next, extend the reach of the interview by sharing it with your audience. Promote it across your social media channels and email lists, tag the host and show in your posts, and include a link to the interview on your website, ideally in a "Press" or "Media" section.
Don't forget to engage with listeners. Respond promptly to comments and questions on social media, continue the conversation, and use this as an opportunity to build relationships with your new audience.
Finally, stay in touch with the host. Maintain the connection you've established, offer to be a guest on future episodes if appropriate, and share any relevant updates or news that might be of interest to them.
These follow-up actions are some of the most effective radio and podcast guest tips for turning a single interview into a series of ongoing opportunities.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Guest interviews can be incredibly rewarding, but it's important to avoid common mistakes that can derail your success.
One key area to focus on is research. Failing to thoroughly research the host and show can lead to a disjointed interview and make you appear unprepared or unprofessional. It's also important to avoid pitching shows that aren't a good fit for your niche; this is a waste of your time and can damage your credibility.
Audio quality is another important consideration. Poor audio can distract listeners from your message and create an unprofessional impression. Similarly, being unprepared can lead to rambling, incoherent answers and make you seem unsure of your own expertise.
Finally, it's vital to avoid being overly promotional. While it's fine to mention your work, an overly sales-driven approach can turn off listeners and harm your relationship with the host.
By being mindful of these potential pitfalls, you can significantly increase your chances of guest interview success. These radio and podcast guest tips will help you navigate the process more effectively.
Take the Next Step with the Podcast Guest Academy
These radio and podcast guest tips provide a solid foundation for landing guest spots and delivering great interviews. However, if you're looking for in-depth training and a proven system to take your guest appearances to the next level, the Podcast Guest Academy can help.
The Podcast Guest Academy is a course that gives you the tools to find and connect with the right podcasts and radio shows for your niche, pitch yourself like a pro, and be a confident, prepared guest. You'll also learn to avoid technical slip-ups, promote your work naturally, and build strong relationships with hosts and their audiences.
What Is the Podcast Guest Academy?
Audio Insider’s Podcast Guest Academy is a hands-on course built around the exact steps James Mulvaney used to grow his own brand through interviews. It goes beyond theory and delivers clear, actionable guidance. It’s a five-module course that teaches you how to:
Identify and approach the right podcasts and radio shows for your niche
Pitch yourself in a professional and effective way
Show up as a confident and prepared guest
Avoid common technical mistakes that distract from your message
Promote what you do naturally, without sounding sales-driven
Build long-term relationships with hosts and their audiences
James has used these exact methods to grow his businesses and personal brand through interviews. The course is concise, easy to follow, and, most importantly, built on real experience. His systematic approach eliminates the guesswork, allowing you to follow proven radio and podcast guest tips every time you reach out to a host or step on air.
Wrapping it Up: The Essential Radio and Podcast Guest Tips
To successfully land guest spots and deliver impactful interviews, just remember to follow these essential radio and podcast guest steps:
Find the Right Shows: Target podcasts and radio shows that align with your audience and goals. A smaller, niche show may deliver more value than a large, mismatched one.
Craft a Strong Pitch: Make your pitch stand out by personalizing it, highlighting your expertise, and offering topics that resonate with the show’s audience.
Prepare Thoroughly: Research the show and host, define your key talking points, and anticipate questions to ensure a smooth, confident interview.
Deliver with Impact: Engage listeners with enthusiasm, share valuable insights, and promote your work subtly without turning the conversation into a sales pitch.
Follow Up: Send a thank-you note, share the interview across your platforms, and maintain the relationship with the host and listeners.
And if you’re serious about levelling up your game, the Podcast Guest Academy is designed to take you from booking interviews to building lasting influence.
The Podcast Academy isn’t just theory; it's a proven system created by someone who's walked the walk. James Mulvaney has used these strategies to grow his own business and helped countless others do the same. The Academy gives you clear, actionable steps to get booked on the right shows, shine in every interview, and turn those appearances into real opportunities.
So, if you're ready to move beyond basic tips and implement a strategy that delivers results, it's worth checking out.
By consistently applying these radio and podcast guest tips, you'll be well on your way to securing more guest appearances, delivering engaging interviews, and achieving your objectives.
