Millions of people tune into podcasts weekly. Podcasts are present across industries, and landing an interview on the right one can help authors move past the informational noise across so many mediums and into the right audience.
Podcasts are no longer just a love for millennials, they are reaching millions of ears across multiple generations. They are convenient: whether you are driving, cooking, cleaning, etc., the format and accessibility of podcasts helps listeners stay informed and entertained.
The often-relaxed conversation style helps authors talk about their work to potential readers in a way that publicizes more personality, revealing the energy behind their books.
Know Your Audience
There is truth to the saying there is an audience for everyone. Podcasts serve as a great medium for enthusiasts, experts, and everyone else with a shared love for a topic to come together in order to stay informed on it.
To get the most out of your podcast pitching it’s important to understand who your audience is. At Weaving Influence, we serve several business thought leaders. So we aim to reach out to podcasts that discuss business, leadership, management, and other workplace topics.
To find your audience, think about the topics that your book discusses and who else finds them interesting too. You may have expertise in one subject, but you might have enough background to expand that expertise to other topics.
Be Resourceful
Once you track down who your audience is, get familiar with the top podcasts for that industry. What are the top-tier publications or top blogs in your industry? They might have done some of the work for you. See what podcasts they suggest.
You can also see which podcasts are doing well in your industry by seeing what’s featured on streaming services like Podbean, Itunes, and Spotify. These services often include reviews and the number of downloads to help you get an idea of their reach.
Social media is a good place to understand a podcast’s reach as well. Try to find the name of the podcast on Facebook and Twitter. If you don’t see a presence look for the host, see if he or she has a large followership, and if the hosts shares those interviews to followers.
Be Unique, but Relevant
Once you find 3-5 podcasts with subjects relatable to your book, skim through the episodes and written content for them. Make sure the podcast conducts interviews, and try to find previous interviews dealing with a similar topic you would like to pitch.
Take some time to listen to the intros and, if possible, listen to more. Once you find an episode relevant to your work, use that information in your pitch. Show you can make a good fit because you have a similar perspective that the audience values, but also share something unique about it. Something new the audience can gain from your perspective.
Share Your Interview
Once you get an interview booked and conducted, find out when the interview will be live and if you can have the link shared to you when it is. Then share, share, share! Publish the podcast across your social channels and website for your followers to learn more about you and as a means to attract new ones.
Taking the time to pitch podcasts thoughtfully will help you reach your target audience faster, and share with them the authentic energy behind your work.
Sierra Hernandez lives in Riverside, CA. She obtained her BA in Communication from the University of Toledo. She spends her free time with loved ones, and loves to participate in social activism, especially for human rights and environmental concerns.