Podcast guesting, that fancy lifestyle where you appear as a guest on other people’s shows, is a powerful strategy for increased visibility. It also helps you shout out your own podcast. Podcast guesting gets you in front of new audiences and, just as importantly, helps your SEO game. That might be why shows like Vinnie Potestivo’s I Have a Podcast get so much love!
Table of Contents:
- Benefits of Podcast Guesting for SEO
- How to Ask to Appear on a Podcast
- Making the Most of Being a Podcast Guest
- Becoming a Regular
- Concluding Thoughts
Benefits of Podcast Guesting for SEO
First, let’s discuss the benefits of podcast guesting. The main thing? You get in front of new people.
Those are completely new ears for your voice, and they could be completely new listeners for your show. By appearing as a guest on other podcasts, you introduce yourself and your podcast to real people (highly engaged listeners, even) who may not have otherwise discovered it.
This can lead to new subscribers and an increase in overall visibility for your podcast.
Do it right and you can score more opportunities for collaborations, sponsorships, and other partnerships.
Another benefit? You position yourself as a thought leader. Target your niche, and people will defer to you for your knowledge. At least, that’s how it’s supposed to work.
Do it right and you can score more opportunities for collaborations, sponsorships, and other partnerships. That’s huge when you want to get more podcast listeners.
In addition to these benefits, podcast guesting helps improve your SEO. When you appear as a guest on other podcasts, you can often include a link to your website or podcast in the show notes.
These backlinks can help to increase your website’s visibility and search engine rankings. Additionally, you can increase the relevance of your website to search engines, which can further improve your rankings. This is especially helpful if you plan to start your own podcast.
How to Ask to Appear on a Podcast
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of podcast guesting, let’s talk about how to find and approach potential podcast hosts. One of the best ways to find potential podcast hosts is through a service like Podmatch. They connect hosts with guests for a living, so you can bet your sweet Sennheisers they know how to do it well.
If you prefer to go the old-fashioned route, just search for podcasts in your niche using a podcast directory. Dive into Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Then, once you’ve found a few you like, reach out to them directly. You won’t hear back from everyone, but you might get some traction. . . especially if you have a good pitch. Just watch out for podcasts with a “Contact” or “Submit a Guest” page on their website. That’s where you submit your contact details and pitch.
When approaching potential podcast hosts, be honest about your value. Tell them why you might have an interesting value for their listeners. Include anything you plan to pitch. Most importantly, research the podcast and the host, so your message doesn’t read like it was written by a robot.
Researching a Podcast
If you want to research shows where you could offer value as a guest, there are a few things you’ll need to know. Focus on these four things first.
- Understand the Format
- Research the Host
- Consider the Audience
- Define your Value
Different podcasts have different formats. You’re not going to appear as a guest on a show that never has guests. At least, it will be much more difficult.
Next, you need to research the host to successfully pitch yourself as a guest. Does the host have a particular style or sense of humor? Do they prefer a conversational approach or a regulated interview?
The audience is also important. Listen to one of the recent episodes and consider what you can offer the guests. What value will you provide as a guest? What value can you provide as a person on social media? Some podcast producers prefer to book guests with large social media followings, as these influencers are more likely to drive new listeners to the show.
Making the Most of Being a Podcast Guest
Once you’ve been selected as a guest on a podcast, make the most of the opportunity. They asked you on their show, and they likely expect you to promote yourself to your own audience. When I book guests, I always consider their social media presence. The bigger their following, the more likely I am to book them. So, show off a little. Let the host know you plan to do some of your own promotions. They’ll do the same. Trust me.
Another way to maximize the SEO impact of your guest appearances is by creating content relevant to the episode’s topic. For example, if you’re a guest on a podcast that covers the beef and dairy industry, you could create a peer-reviewed research paper explaining why beef is far superior to lamb.
By appearing as a guest on other podcasts, you can reach new audiences, establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, and improve your search engine rankings.
Overall, podcast guesting is a powerful strategy for increasing visibility and driving traffic to your own podcast. By appearing as a guest on other podcasts, you can reach new audiences, establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, and improve your search engine rankings. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can effectively find and approach potential podcast hosts, and maximize the SEO impact of your guest appearances.
Counterintuitively, you don’t want to be on every show. Be selective about where you appear. Most legitimate podcasts value guests with good reputations, sizable audiences, and relevant topics. Appear on shows that match that same level of quality, and you’ll earn the respect you deserve.
Becoming a Regular
Another strategy to consider is to become a regular guest on a podcast. By appearing on a podcast multiple times, you will be able to establish a relationship with the host and audience, which can lead to increased visibility and credibility for your own podcast. Additionally, by becoming a regular guest, you will be able to create a backlog of episodes that you can use to promote your own podcast.
Check out Comedy Bang Bang for regular examples of this. Comedians appear once, and the most successful guests create memorable characters for themselves. This lets them appear again and again as the year goes on.
Concluding Thoughts
It’s also worth mentioning that podcast guesting can be used in conjunction with other SEO strategies. For example, you can use podcast transcripts and show notes to create additional content for your website, which can help to improve your search engine rankings. Additionally, you can use podcast guesting to increase the number of backlinks to your website, which can further improve your search engine rankings.
In conclusion, podcast guesting is a powerful strategy for increasing visibility and driving traffic to your own podcast. It allows you to reach new audiences, establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, and improve your search engine rankings. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can effectively find and approach potential podcast hosts, and maximize the SEO impact of your guest appearances. Keep in mind that it’s important to be selective about the podcasts you choose to appear on, establish a relationship with the host and audience, and use podcast guesting in conjunction with other SEO strategies.
