Being featured on podcasts can be an incredible opportunity to build your personal brand, share your expertise, and connect with new audiences. But with thousands of shows out there and plenty of competition, actually getting that coveted guest spot can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out.
In this comprehensive guide, drawing practical insights from Victoria Bennion’s expert interview on The Pod Files podcast, we’ll walk you through exactly how to get featured on podcasts. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, author, coach, or simply keen to boost your visibility, this step-by-step roadmap will give you the know-how and confidence to land those guest spots and make the most of them.
Why Getting Featured on Podcasts Matters
Before diving into the strategy, it’s important to understand why being a podcast guest is such a powerful approach.
Victoria Bennion, founder of The Best Podcast Guest, describes podcasting as “a really intimate medium… someone’s listening, and they’ve got you in their ears for half an hour it’s uninterrupted.” Unlike fast-moving, crowded social media, podcasts allow you to connect with listeners on a deeper level. A well-matched show can foster that know-like-trust factor, setting you apart and building real relationships with potential clients, partners, or fans.
There are a few key reasons why you should consider learning how to get featured on podcasts:
Brand Authority: Sharing your knowledge positions you as an expert in your field.
Networking: Podcasting doubles as a powerful networking tool.
Lead Generation: Audiences who resonate with your story are more likely to reach out.
SEO Backlinks: Many podcasts link to your website, providing coveted backlinks.
Step 1: Audit and Prepare Your Personal Brand
One of the essential first steps in learning how to get featured on podcasts is preparing your public presence. As Victoria puts it, “When you contact a host, the first thing they’re going to do is look you up. So what are they going to see when they Google you?”
Here’s how to get your brand podcast-ready:
1. Google Yourself
Search your name and business to see what shows up. Is it clear who you are and what you do? Are your most recent projects or stories highlighted? Remove or update outdated profiles, and ensure your online presence matches the narrative you want to convey.
2. Audit Your Social Media
Hosts will likely check your social channels. Make sure your profile pictures are current (not just you with your cat—unless that’s central to your brand!) and that your profiles are consistent, accurate, and professional.
3. Build a Personal Brand Hub
As discussed in the interview, it helps to have a central place (website or landing page) showcasing:
A short bio
Key publications or interviews
Photos
Links to your social media and business
This makes it easy for podcast hosts to vet and say “yes” to you.
4. Prepare a Podcast “One Sheet”
A one-sheet is an interactive PDF highlighting your expertise, suggested topics, and quick facts a tool highly recommended by Victoria Bennion’s team. It should include:
Short, third-person bio (200 words is ideal)
Headshot
Social and website links
Three to five compelling topics or questions you’re ready to discuss
Any relevant press or media appearances
The one-sheet demonstrates professionalism, helps you stand out, and makes it “easy to say yes.”
Step 2: Identify the Right Podcasts
A common misconception, as Victoria points out, is thinking you need to be on massive shows (like Oprah or Diary of a CEO). The truth is, success in how to get featured on podcasts often starts with the right fit—not just the biggest audience.
1. Start With Your Network
Begin your search close to home. Look at:
Friends and colleagues with podcasts
Past collaborators or clients who host shows
LinkedIn connections
These warm intros can be a superb entry point, and are especially good if you’re new or nervous.
2. Target Audience Alignment
Ask yourself: Who do I want to reach? Seek podcasts that serve your ideal audience. Even podcasts with a small but engaged listener base can produce outsized results sometimes delivering leads, speaking opportunities, or unexpected partnerships.
3. Check Activity and Quality
Victoria’s advice: Focus on podcasts that have published at least 20 episodes. This signals they’re established and invested, making them a good use of your time. Also, glance at recent publishing dates for consistency, as well as audio/video quality for both credibility and content repurposing potential.
So you’ve shortlisted shows and prepared your materials—now it’s time to reach out. Here’s how to get featured on podcasts with a pitch that gets attention:
1. Personalize Every Email
Mass, generic outreach rarely works. Reference a recent episode, something you admire about the host, or explain why you’re a uniquely good fit for their listeners. The personal touch goes a long way.
2. Lead With Value
Hosts are flooded with pitches from self-promoters. Set yourself apart by focusing less on “me” and more on “your audience would get value from [XYZ topic], because…”
3. Attach Your One Sheet
Make it easy—include that one-sheet as a clickable PDF. As Victoria recounts, one show was so impressed by her client’s one-sheet they booked paid workshops, not just the podcast spot.
4. Quality Over Quantity (But Be Persistent)
Victoria recommends that, for every 10 shows you pitch, expect 1 “yes.” If you want 10 bookings, target 100 shows. Don’t be discouraged by slow or low response rates timing, scheduling, and relevance all play a role.
5. Beware of “Pay to Play”
As both Bogdan and Victoria warn, some shows charge guests. Unless it’s a highly strategic outlet and you’ve properly vetted its audience/reputation, focus your energy on podcasts that value your expertise over your wallet.
Step 4: Prepare for Your Guest Appearance
Landing the spot is only half the journey—how you show up matters. Here’s what to consider:
1. Do Your Research
Listen to a few episodes. Note the host’s style, regular segments, and the kinds of guests they feature. Prepare thoughtful answers and stories that fit the vibe.
2. Tech Check
Use headphones and a good microphone (even a quality smartphone headset is better than nothing).
Find a quiet location with minimal distractions.
If recording video, ensure you have good lighting and a tidy background.
3. Share Your Talking Points
Come ready with a few memorable takeaways and personal stories. Relatability wins: “We had a client… she loved cats. Someone booked a call after because they felt the connection over cats,” Victoria recalls.
4. Watch the Details
If scheduling across time zones, use online scheduling tools (Calendly, etc.) to prevent mix-ups—as discussed in Victoria’s humorous mishap with a guest in Seattle!
5. Be Engaging and Authentic
Podcasting is about trust and likability as much as expertise. Focus on being yourself, offering genuine value, and showing up as a collaborator, not a monologuer.
Step 5: Maximize Every Podcast Appearance
After recording, your work isn’t done. To make the most of learning how to get featured on podcasts:
1. Promote the Episode
Share across your website, newsletter, and social media (tag the host and podcast). This not only helps your brand, but shows gratitude to your host and supports the podcast community.
2. Repurpose the Content
Clip highlights for Instagram, create blog posts from key points, or even embed the episode in a media section on your site. Each appearance boosts your SEO and credibility.
3. Build Relationships
Follow up with the host—thank them, provide feedback, and stay connected. Podcasting is powerful networking, often leading to new opportunities you wouldn’t expect (e.g., paid gigs, speaking invitations).
4. Track Your Results
Keep a spreadsheet: which podcasts booked, published links, backlinks provided, and any business outcomes (leads, backlinks, notable feedback).
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Messy Personal Branding: Inconsistent profiles or unclear expertise will cost you spots (e.g., as with the guest Victoria described whose website didn’t match her stories).
Poor Audio/Video Setup: Lack of tech preparation can undermine your authority and make you seem unprofessional.
Generic or Spammy Pitches: Personalize every outreach; AI or copy-paste templates stand out—in a bad way.
Focusing Only on Big Shows: Smaller, targeted podcasts may deliver better outcomes.
Not Sharing the Episode: Always amplify your interviews—it helps everyone win.
Ready to Get Featured on Podcasts?
Landing quality podcast guest spots doesn’t require fame or a massive following. With some focus, preparation, and consistent outreach, anyone can learn how to get featured on podcasts—and use this strategy to supercharge their brand, business, and network.
Key Takeaways from Victoria Bennion’s Approach:
Audit and clarify your personal brand before pitching.
Prepare a strong one-sheet.
Target shows with the RIGHT audience, not just the biggest.
Personalize every pitch and be professional.
Use every episode as both a brand-building and networking tool.
If you’re serious about how to get featured on podcasts, follow this playbook and don’t be afraid to start small. Every appearance is a stepping stone to more opportunities, growth, and success.
Want extra help? Resources like The Best Podcast Guest’s Podcast Guest Starter Kit (as mentioned by Victoria) can give you templates, checklists, and even a list of show contacts to accelerate your journey. Happy pitching!
Ready to take action? Clean up your brand, build your one-sheet, and start that outreach list today. Your audience and your next big opportunity can’t wait to hear from you.
Bogdan Bratis
CEO & Founder of Saspod. Podcast & Digital Marketing Expert, based in Glasgow, United Kingdom.
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