How to Find Guests for Your Podcast

Interviewing guests can bring fresh perspectives, expertise, and new audiences to your podcast. This guide covers everything you need to know about finding, approaching, and booking quality guests for your show.

Benefits of Having Guests on Your Podcast

• Diverse expertise and perspectives that complement your own knowledge
• Fresh content ideas that keep your show dynamic and interesting
• Expanded audience reach when guests share their episode with their followers
• Networking opportunities that can lead to collaborations beyond your podcast
• Credibility enhancement through association with respected voices in your field

Where to Find Podcast Guests

1. Start with Your Existing Network

The easiest guests to book are people you already know or have connections to:

• Personal contacts in your field
• Former colleagues with relevant expertise
• Friends with interesting stories or perspectives related to your podcast theme
• Local community members with unique experiences
• Second-degree connections (friends of friends) accessible through warm introductions

2. Leverage Social Media

Social platforms offer rich opportunities for guest discovery:

• LinkedIn: Search for professionals in your topic area using relevant keywords
• Twitter: Follow conversations in your niche and identify active voices
• Instagram: Find visual creators and personalities in your space
• Facebook Groups: Connect with communities focused on your podcast's subject matter
• Reddit: Discover subject matter experts in relevant subreddits

3. Utilize Podcast Guest Platforms

Several services match podcasters with potential guests:

• PodcastGuests.com: Free and paid tiers connecting hosts with experts
• MatchMaker.fm: Platform designed specifically for podcast guest-host matching
• Radio Guest List: Email service listing interview opportunities
• PodMatch: AI-powered matching system for podcasters and guests
• Podmust: Directory of potential podcast guests

4. Explore Author Connections

Authors often seek publicity for their books:

• Recently published books in your niche often have authors doing publicity tours
• Publisher websites frequently list authors available for interviews
• Amazon's new releases section in your podcast's category
• Goodreads for finding authors with strong reader engagement
• Local bookstore events to connect with visiting authors

5. Research Conference Speakers

Conference speakers are usually comfortable with interviews and have expertise to share:

• Industry conference websites list upcoming and past speakers
• TED and TEDx websites showcase compelling speakers on various topics
• Professional association events feature subject matter experts
• Virtual summit presenters often welcome additional exposure
• Meetup events in your area or topic of interest

How to Approach Potential Guests

1. Prepare a Professional Pitch

Create a template for guest outreach that includes:

• A personalized introduction showing familiarity with their work
• Brief description of your podcast and audience
• Clear explanation of why they're a perfect fit for your show
• Specific topics you'd like to discuss
• Estimated time commitment and technical requirements
• Links to your podcast website and notable past episodes

2. Make the Process Easy for Guests

Remove friction from the booking experience:

• Offer a scheduling tool like Calendly for convenient booking
• Provide clear instructions for connecting to your recording platform
• Send prep questions or topic outlines in advance
• Keep technical requirements simple and offer a tech check if needed
• Accommodate their schedule when possible

3. Follow Up Appropriately

Balance persistence with respect:

• Send a follow-up email if you don't hear back within a week
• Keep follow-ups brief and respectful of their time
• Consider alternate contact methods (social media DM) after 2-3 email attempts
• Accept rejection gracefully and maintain the relationship for future opportunities

Preparing for Guest Episodes

1. Research Thoroughly

Before the interview:

• Listen to previous interviews they've done
• Read their books, articles, or other content
• Follow their social media for current projects and interests
• Prepare questions that go beyond basic information easily found online
• Identify unique angles to make your interview stand out

2. Create a Comfortable Environment

Help your guest shine by:

• Starting with a pre-interview chat to build rapport
• Explaining your podcast format and what to expect
• Providing water and suggesting they use headphones
• Reassuring them about editing (removing long pauses, verbal tics, etc.)
• Giving them an approximate interview duration

After the Interview

1. Maintain the Relationship

Turn one-time guests into allies and potential repeat guests:

• Send a thank-you note or email after recording
• Provide the expected publication date
• Share the episode with them when it goes live
• Tag them appropriately in social promotion
• Stay connected on social media and engage with their content

2. Leverage the Connection

Maximize the networking benefit:

• Ask if they can suggest other potential guests
• Request an introduction to specific people in their network
• Consider opportunities for collaboration beyond your podcast
• Add them to an occasional newsletter to keep them updated on your podcast

Common Challenges and Solutions

Problem: High-profile guests don't respond

Solution: Start with more accessible guests to build your portfolio, then leverage these interviews to approach bigger names. Consider connecting through their publicist or publisher.

Problem: Guests cancel at the last minute

Solution: Always have backup content ready and maintain a flexible recording schedule. Consider pre-recording multiple episodes when possible.

Problem: Running out of guest ideas

Solution: Follow a diverse range of people in your niche on social media, attend industry events, and ask existing guests and listeners for recommendations.

Problem: Inconsistent guest quality

Solution: Develop a pre-interview process to assess communication skills and topic knowledge. Don't hesitate to politely decline guests who aren't a good fit.

Final Tips for Success

• Start small but aim high: Build momentum with accessible guests while working toward bigger names
• Respect everyone equally: Treat every guest with the same professionalism regardless of their status
• Be genuinely curious: Authentic interest creates better conversations than rigid question lists
• Make guests look good: Your job is to help them share their best insights with your audience
• Create shareable content: Make it easy and appealing for guests to promote their episode

Remember that successful guest relationships are built on mutual benefit. Your goal is to create value for your listeners while providing guests with a platform to share their expertise and expand their reach.