How to get booked on podcasts
Six steps, from guest profile to recording date. Each step lists what to do by hand and what PodcastPlacer does for you.
1. Define what you can talk about
Write down two to four topics you can speak on with specific stories, plus a one-paragraph bio and links to past appearances. Hosts book on topics, not titles.
PodcastPlacer: reads your LinkedIn profile or website and works out the topics and story hooks.
2. Find shows that take guests
Interview shows are common: Pew Research Center found that 76% of top-ranked U.S. podcasts had at least one guest in 2022, and Rephonic classifies 350,000 podcasts as guest-format. Search podcast directories by topic, check that the show still publishes, and check that recent episodes have guests.
PodcastPlacer: matches your topics against 3.4 million podcasts and drops shows that stopped publishing or have no back catalogue.
3. Find the host or booker
Look for a booking form or guest page on the show's site, the email in the RSS feed, or the host's own site. Larger shows often have a producer who handles guests.
PodcastPlacer: finds the host, booker or producer behind each show.
4. Send a short pitch with episode ideas
Name the show, say who you are in one sentence, and give two or three episode ideas the host could record. Keep it under about 110 words. See the podcast pitch template.
PodcastPlacer: writes one pitch per show and shows you three samples before anything sends.
5. Follow up once
In Instantly's 2026 cold email benchmark, 58% of replies came from the first email and 42% from follow-ups. Send one short follow-up in the same thread a few days later.
6. Answer the host and book the date
Hosts usually ask for a bio, topic ideas, a headshot and your availability. Reply the same day with all of them.
PodcastPlacer: answers these questions from the guest facts you set, coordinates the booking, and hands back anything your facts do not cover.
What it costs
By hand: your time. With PodcastPlacer: $0.20 per pitch sent, with $20 in free credits on a new account. Agencies charge $700 to $900 a month for 2 to 4 bookings; see podcast booking cost.
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