Whether you host your own podcast or not, being a guest on other podcasts can help you promote your brand and earn revenue. But you can’t just hope to hop onto a call and promote your business on a business podcast. Carefully prepare and promote yourself for the best results.
Here are five tips for being a business podcast guest that can help you secure business from your appearance and ensure that you get offered new guest opportunities.
Check Equipment
The first thing that you need to do is to check the equipment you intend to use for your podcast guest appearance. This can include the software (Zoom, Riverside.fm etc.) and the physical equipment. Before you dial into the show, do tests using the same equipment as what is being used.
You want to try to record the tests so you can check there is nothing that is disrupting the quality of your voice.
While there might not be much lead time on an appearance, try to do the test as soon as possible. You might need to change your equipment, which might require overnight shipping or a quick visit to the local supplier.
Equipment checks might not be necessary if you already have a podcast. Remember, with Produce Your Podcast, a sound engineer can do an equipment test and list recommendations with you.
Promote Your Appearance Before and Afterwards
If you want to make the most of your appearance and to endear yourself to your host, then promote your appearance on the podcast before and after your appearance. Sharing news of an upcoming appearance on social media, like through LinkedIn and Facebook, can be a great start.
You might also want to use email marketing or promote your appearance in the episodes. This can be an effective option for those who have a large audience.
Create your visuals and perhaps ask for clips from the podcast host when the episode has been edited so you can promote the appearance with more relevant content.
And don’t forget that you can always use your blog to showcase your appearance on a podcast.
Practice Your Elevator Pitch
At some point during your appearance, there is going to be a time when you can pitch your business/brand to the audience. This can be known as an elevator pitch because it lasts between 30 and 60 seconds; the time it takes an elevator to move up or down.
If you struggle with timing, practice your elevator pitch several times. Use a timer on your phone or watch to count down the seconds. To be sure how long you’ll get on the episode, listen to a few episodes beforehand, to see how long other guests got for their elevator pitch.
Practicing your elevator pitch allows you to be more effective and efficient in delivering a sales pitch that will bring you better results.
When it comes to an elevator pitch you want to think about the audience you’re trying to reach and the value you’re offering them. For example, those who sell marketing services can talk about the ROI or the time saved. Don’t try to squeeze too much information into your elevator pitch either, you want a clear, concise, and easy-to-remember benefit and brand element that
can help you build a rapport with your audience.
Remember that at the end of the elevator pitch, you need to ensure that you’ve got a call to action, something that you’re telling the audience to do.
Check the Schedule With Your Host
Next, you need to check the schedule with your host. What do they want to talk about, what should you spend time on, and what should you not spend time on? These elements can be critical to the success of your guest spot as they will have a desired list of topics that they want to cover for their overall podcasting strategy.
You can do this over email, or you can have a call before the spot on the podcast.
What you might want to do is spend some time listening to past episodes to get a feel for their style, how long they have between ad breaks, how long they spend on each topic, and what questions they ask their hosts.
It can also help you to determine what they think their audience wants to hear, so you can prepare notes for questions/topics that you want to talk about, meaning you match the needs of the host and provide value to the audience.
Practice Interviews
One of the key skills of any podcast host is to be quizzed. It is like being at a job interview and you need to prepare for any eventuality. While you might think you know about all the questions coming up, this might not always be the case. There might be a few surprises.
Therefore, ensure you’ve practiced with a trusted individual beforehand. It is the same as you would if you were to be interviewed for the media, you want to look your best and practice makes perfect.
It’s also a good way to refine answers so they’re more slick and you get the right message across to your audience.
FAQs
Do podcast guests get paid?
Podcast guests do not normally get a fee for their participation. However, there are numerous benefits that they can get from appearing on a show.
Do podcast guests have to pay to be on a show?
Normally it is in the best interests of the host to provide the guest spot for free. It allows them to build a stronger show and brings in new audience members.
How many guest spots should I try to secure a month?
If you can, try for at least one spot every month. However, this is not always possible when you start.
Final Word: Five Tips for Business Podcast Guest
Being a business podcast guest can be a great opportunity to expand the reach of your brand.
But it can also be a challenge for those who aren’t used to being on a podcast. Above are some tips that guests can benefit from when it is their time on a podcast show.
Produce Your Podcast is a full-service podcast production, editing, and marketing agency specializing in helping brands launch, grow, and monetize successful podcasts that impact their bottom line. With 30+ years of experience in broadcasting and business development brought to every project we work on, our team of experts is a reliable partner to help you achieve your goals with your show.
Click here to schedule a conversation with our team today and let’s bring your show to life!