Written by: Nina Macarie, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Suppose you have a podcast you are looking to promote, or maybe you are looking to speak on someone else's podcast about your mission and message. In that case, you will most likely need to pitch yourself. While there are many ways to perform podcast outreach, one of them is a "cold outreach." To do a cold outreach and find the right podcast to fit your niche, you must create and send out a pitch. If this feels scary, don't worry! There are a few strategies that I can show you that can help get your podcast pitch noticed and get you talking in no time.
If you are out on your own and looking to do your own podcast outreach, I recommend you might read Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Even though this book was written over 80 years ago, the principles he outlines are still valuable for today's workplace. This book has become one of my go-to references for when I want to pitch, and I'm going to share with you a few tips inspired by this book that help me secure podcast interviews for my clients.
1. Don't Send Unprofessional Pitch Emails
Never start your pitch/outreach DM with a "Hey there!" or just "Hi!" These pitch emails come off as both unprofessional and a blanketed approach. They are a clear sign that this person might use this exact pitch to send to a bunch of other podcasters.
Instead of this informal intro, take the time to research specific details about that particular potential host. Address them by their formal name, and take extra care to make sure you spell their name correctly. Like Dale Carnegie says: "A person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language." Hint: You can also pitch your offer via audio or video, not only via email.
2. Don't Just Talk About Yourself
Don't start your pitch with what you are interested in getting: "I think I would make a great guest," or "I have a wonderful podcast guest for you." Usually, people don't care what the other person wants if there's nothing in that pitch for them. As Dale Carnegie says, "of course, you are interested in what we want. But no one else is. The rest of us are just like you: we are interested in what we want."
Instead of talking about what you have to offer, change the narrative and talk about the podcast you want to get on. Compliment that podcast host, find some commonalities and start a conversation from there. Research them on social media, through their website, and listen to their podcast. Offer honest compliments and show genuine interest in that person, her/his podcast and her/his listeners. "We usually spend about 95% of our time thinking about ourselves One of the most neglected virtues of our daily existence is appreciation," so "begin in a friendly way," and "begin with praise and honest appreciation."– Dale Carnegie
3. Don't Brag
Nobody likes a braggart. A pitch email or DM is not the best place to brag about your skills or your offers. Bragging will get your pitch rejected and will negatively position your business.
Reverse the bragging tactic and take the time and find out what this podcast host would be interested in. What can you offer that would interest them in terms of their particular podcast? Like Dale Carnegie said, "Talk in terms of the other person's interest." When you focus your attention on a specific host and their audience with a heartfelt desire to be of service, you will create a connection. Show that you are willing and able to provide their audience with information or advice that could complement the show and be an asset. "The only way to influence people is to talk in terms of what the other person wants you can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can make in two years trying to get people interested in you." – Dale Carnegie
Go bold this year and spread your message! There are people out there who are looking to hear from you! To learn more about sharing your message, connect with me today. You can find me at www.oneluckystar.com or you can connect with me on Instagram.
"If there is anyone secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from that person's angle as well as from your own." – Henry Ford
Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!
Nina Macarie, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Nina Macarie is a visibility expert helping female entrepreneurs get more visibility and connect with dream clients through podcast interviews. She is the creator of the P.I.T.C.H. podcasts framework, helping clients pitch themselves to the right podcasts with ease and confidence in an authentic way.
After sending hundreds and hundreds of podcast pitches and also seeing what kind of pitches are put out in the world, Nina knows exactly what elements to include in a successful pitch. Not only did she get amazing feedback from her successfully booked clients but she also impressed the podcast hosts that she pitched to. Today, Nina’s mission is to help female online entrepreneurs, coaches, course creators, consultants, and podcasters get an amazing first impression as they start spreading their messages on other people’s platforms.
