finding & attracting guests for your podcast
TRANSCRIPT
Finding & Attracting
Guests For Your Podcast
Shimeka Williams
Disclaimer: This slide deck was created to complement a presentation. They have been updated to provide a more detailed explanation of the major topics covered in the presentation. However, they are not all inclusive. To fully understand the context of the slides, it may be beneficial to watch the video of the actual presentation.
Video: https://youtu.be/QhMww71XGzM
Agenda
Be Attractive
Best places to find guests
Pitching Guests
PitchingInfluencers
About MeAugust 2014
Decided to Launch a podcast
January 2015Intended launch date
April 2015Launched 4 months late
why? Fear of Rejection from guests
November 2015Host of Escaping Cubicle Captivity
60 episodes
13k downloads
Be AttractiveIt Starts with Communication
describe your podcast with confidence
Avoid belittling terms/phrases
“little”, “Give this podcast thing a try”
Get a WebsitePotential Guests will research you
Adds credibility and shows you are invested in this process
Social MediaStart building your following before you launch
Potential guests will research your social media activity
Guests To AvoidPeople unfamiliar with podcasting
Their lack of understanding will prevent them from taking action
People who don’t meet the basic technology requirements
You take a risk when using unfamiliar software (i.e. Sound quality, reliability)
DivasIf they do not like your rules, move on
You will waste a lot of time trying to accommodate these guests
Best Places To Find GuestsPeople You Know Apryl Roberts
Podcasts Michelle Ngome
Traditional Media Kim Springer
Social Media Chelsea M Logan
Facebook Groups Adrienne Dorison
Conferences Zephan Blaxberg
Referrals Jen Stringer
Introductions Cheryl Tan
Guest Finds You Siedah Mitchum
Organizations Erin Marshall
RadioGuestList.com Lisa Woodruff
Pitching GuestsIn Person
Ask questions to qualify them as a guest
Make a short informal the pitch
Follow up with a formal invitation
In writingStart with a Specific compliment
Tell them about your show
Explain why they are a good fit
Explain the Benefits of being a guest
Share your Accomplishments
Set Expectations
link to schedule the interview
Chasing InfluencersIt’s no secret
you want to Leverage Their Popularity to Grow Your Audience
They do a lot interviewssharing all of them would be overwhelming for their
communities
They are telling the same storiesEven their raving fans get tired of hearing the same stuff
Is this really the type of content you want to share with your audience?
Pitching InfluencersBuild Relationships
Start a dialogue and/or buy their stuff
EX. Her Power Hustle - Michelle Talbert
Be originalContact Influencers in Different Niches
Ex. Sports Gal Pal - Ramona Rice
Get some experience Gives you a chance to get the kinks out
Shows you are committed vs following a fad
Guests can listen to your latter episodes vs the early ones
After The InterviewAsk for immediate feedback
What they tell you is likely what they will tell others about their experience
Send a follow up surveyAllows you to collect info to improve the interview
experience
Continue to promote the guestSocial Media
refer to them on your other Episodes
refer to them on Other Podcasts
Feature them in content You Create
Support their future endeavors
Shimeka WilliamsPodcast: Escaping Cubicle Captivity
www.EscapingCubicleCaptvity.com