Where to Find Opportunities to be a Podcast Guest

December 6th 2024

There are currently around 505 million podcast listeners in the world, with that figure increasing steadily by about 20 percent per year. There were 3.2 million podcasts as of early 2024 and more than 150 million podcast episodes. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts are currently the top three platforms from which listeners stream their podcasts of choice.

The point of sharing all these numbers is to make you aware of the huge opportunity podcasts provide as a marketing tool. Whether you are planning to start your own podcast or not – which is a lot of work – you can still explore opportunities to be interviewed on existing podcasts.

Being interviewed on podcasts whose target audience aligns with yours can be an effective way to boost your visibility and awareness. As a guest, you also benefit from the enhanced credibility and authority of being perceived as the expert.

However, given the vast number of podcasts out there it may seem overwhelming to try to identify those that would be appropriate for you. Fortunately, there are a number of services and communities that can help.

Finding Podcast Guest Opportunities

Although you may want to start by casting a wide net to get onto any podcast, that’s only a good idea early in your podcast career. 

Gaining experience on podcasts that your target audience is unlikely to hear could be a smart strategy to become comfortable with the medium. That way, if you make a mistake or say something embarrassing, it’s unlikely to hurt you.

Some of the most popular free and low-cost tools to explore include:

MatchMaker.fm

Jon Coogan, host of Mindset Mavericks, describes MatchMaker.fm as “user-friendly…where both hosts and guests connect.” Guests can create a profile to showcase their expertise and to identify podcasts that may be looking for experts like them. You can try it free for 30 days and then pay $15/month if you opt to subscribe.

Coogan says that he has used MatchMaker.fm to expand his reach as a guest. “By searching for podcasts that aligned with my expertise and experience, I connected with the host of Leaders in Disguise,” he said. “They invited me to their video studio for an in-person interview, where I shared insights from my entrepreneurial journey. The episode lifted my profile and introduced me to a wider audience.”

PodcastGuests.com

The free version of PodcastGuests.com offers registrants a weekly newsletter service that shares podcast guest opportunities. There is also a paid directory available, to make you findable by podcast hosts.

PodMatch

“While PodMatch isn’t free, it’s a highly targeted tool that’s worth considering if you’re serious about getting on podcasts,” Coogan says. “It matches hosts and guests based on interests and expertise, saving you time and helping you find the perfect fit with minimal effort.” The current cost starts at $29/month, though there is an upgrade available if you want more exposure to potential podcast hosts.

Facebook Groups

Sheena Yap Chan, host of The Tao of Self-Confidence podcast, recommends joining free and paid Facebook groups dedicated to connecting hosts and guests; the hashtags #beaguest and #needaguest are the ones to search for, she says.

The top three she recommends are:

Need a Guest – has 39.9k members 

Podcast Collaborate – has 18.6k members 

Podcast Guest Connection – has 12.8k members

Participation in these groups has netted her invitations to be a guest on other podcasts.

TikTok

Coogan says that “TikTok has been a surprisingly effective tool for connecting with podcast hosts. Many share videos about their show and the type of guests they’re looking for, using hashtags like #PodcastGuest or #PodcastOpportunity. He recommends creating short videos to introduce yourself and your perspective.

LinkedIn

While you’re checking out TikTok for podcasts, don’t overlook LinkedIn, where podcast hosts also share information about their shows and the types of guests they’re looking for. Since LinkedIn is a business platform, you’re more likely to find business-related podcasts.

A Low-Cost Marketing Tool

All of these tools and platforms can help you zero in on podcasts that may be looking for someone with your expertise, background, or experience, but you need to be clear about what will benefit you most. Which topics do you want to be known for? In which industries do you want to make headway? How do you want people to think of you?

These are all important questions to be clear about before you start researching and applying to be booked as a podcast guest. Despite the fact that most guest opportunities are free, podcasts can be powerful tools for shining a spotlight on you and your business.