Starting a podcast is exciting. You’ve got the mic, the intro music, maybe even a snazzy logo. But here’s the hard truth: without compelling guests, even the slickest production can fall flat. Great guests bring fresh perspectives, attract new listeners, and elevate your show from “just another podcast” to “must-listen” status.
The good news? You don’t need 10,000 downloads or a celebrity endorsement to land amazing guests. Whether you’re episode 3 or episode 300, you can book guests that your audience will love — if you know how.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through a step-by-step system to book incredible podcast guests — even if you’re brand new. Plus, I’ll introduce you to a game-changing tool that takes the heavy lifting out of guest matching: Podmatch.
Step 1: Define Your Ideal Guest (Before You Start Pitching)
Before you send a single email, get crystal clear on who you want to invite.
Ask yourself:
- Who does my audience want to hear from?
- What expertise, story, or personality will add value?
- Are they authors, entrepreneurs, artists, activists, or everyday people with extraordinary experiences?
Create a “guest persona.” For example:
“My ideal guest is a female founder who launched a 7-figure business while raising kids — relatable, candid, and full of actionable advice.”
This focus helps you avoid wasting time on mismatched guests — and makes your outreach more targeted and compelling.
Step 2: Build a Guest List (Start Small, Think Big)
Don’t aim for Tim Ferriss on episode 5. Start with “tiered targets”:
Tier 1: Micro-Influencers & Peers
- Bloggers, local business owners, indie authors, up-and-coming creators.
- They’re often more accessible, eager to grow their audience, and likely to say yes.
Tier 2: Mid-Tier Experts
- Published authors, podcasters with 5K–50K followers, niche thought leaders.
- They’re established but not overwhelmed with requests — perfect for a rising show.
Tier 3: Dream Guests
- Celebrities, NYT bestsellers, industry giants.
- Save these for later — but don’t be afraid to try once you’ve built momentum.
Pro Tip: Use LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and even Amazon (check author bios!) to find potential guests. Look for people who are actively promoting something — a new book, course, or product. They’re often more open to interviews.
Step 3: Craft a Pitch That Gets Replies
Cold outreach is an art. Your pitch needs to be short, personalized, and focused on what’s in it for THEM.
The 5-Part Pitch Formula:
- Hook – Start with a genuine compliment or shared connection.
“Loved your recent post on sustainable fashion — your point about circular economies really resonated.”
- Intro – Briefly introduce yourself and your show.
“I host The Purposeful Creator, a podcast for solopreneurs building businesses with heart.”
- Why Them – Show you’ve done your homework.
“Your journey from teacher to founder of EcoThreads is exactly the kind of story my listeners crave.”
- Value Offer – Explain what they get.
“I’d love to feature you in an upcoming episode — we promote guests across our newsletter (5K subs) and socials, and I’ll send you audiograms and quote graphics to share.”
- CTA + Low Pressure Close
“No pressure at all — but if you’re open to it, I’d love to find a time that works. Even 20 minutes would be amazing.”
Avoid generic templates. Personalization is your superpower.
Step 4: Make Booking Effortless with Podmatch
Here’s where things get easier — and smarter.
Podmatch is a revolutionary platform that matches podcasters with perfect-fit guests (and vice versa) using smart algorithms and filters. Think “Tinder for podcast interviews” — but way more professional.
Why Podmatch is a Game-Changer for New Podcasters:
✅ No Cold Outreach Needed – Guests come to you. You set your show’s criteria (topic, guest type, audience size, etc.), and Podmatch surfaces matches who are already interested in being on podcasts.
✅ Filter by Relevance – Want female founders in tech with 10K+ Instagram followers? Done. Looking for therapists who specialize in anxiety and have a book coming out? Easy.
✅ Automated Scheduling & Reminders – Say goodbye to endless email threads. Podmatch integrates with Calendly and sends automatic reminders to reduce no-shows.
✅ Build Credibility Fast – Even if you’re new, you can attract quality guests because they’re opting in based on your show’s description and niche — not your download numbers.
✅ Free to Start – Podmatch has a generous free tier, so you can test-drive it without risk.
👉 Try Podmatch Here (affiliate link — helps support this blog!)
Many new podcasters report booking their first 5–10 guests within weeks of joining Podmatch — without sending a single cold email.
Step 5: Prepare Like a Pro (So Guests Love Working With You)
Once someone says yes, your job is to make the experience seamless and enjoyable.
- Send a prep email with episode theme, sample questions, tech requirements, and scheduling link.
- Offer to promote them before, during, and after the episode.
- Record with good audio (use Riverside.fm or SquadCast for remote interviews).
- Send a thank-you note + shareable assets (audiograms, quotes, social posts) within 48 hours of publishing.
Guests who have a great experience will refer you to others — and may even come back.
Step 6: Leverage Your Network (The Hidden Goldmine)
Don’t overlook your existing circle:
- Friends who started a side hustle.
- Former colleagues with unique career pivots.
- Clients or customers with inspiring stories.
These “warm” guests are often your best episodes — authentic, comfortable, and deeply relatable. Plus, they’re more likely to promote the episode to their own networks.
Step 7: Repurpose & Promote (Turn One Guest into 10x Growth)
Booking the guest is only half the battle. Maximize the ROI:
- Clip 3–5 short audiograms or video snippets for Instagram/TikTok.
- Pull quotes for Twitter/LinkedIn carousels.
- Add the episode to relevant Facebook Groups or Reddit threads (where allowed).
- Tag your guest everywhere — they’ll often reshare!
The more you promote your guests, the more they’ll promote you — and the more future guests will want to say yes.
Bonus: 3 Psychological Hacks to Increase Your “Yes” Rate
- The “Foot-in-the-Door” Technique – Ask for something small first (e.g., “Can I quote you in my newsletter?”), then follow up with the guest invite. People who agree to small requests are more likely to agree to bigger ones.
- Social Proof – Even if you’re new, mention past guests (even if they’re not famous). “I recently interviewed Jane Doe from XYZ Startup — she said the audience was super engaged!” builds credibility.
- Scarcity + Urgency – “I’m booking 3 guests for my June mini-series — would you be open to one of these two slots?” creates gentle FOMO without being pushy.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Permission to Be Great
Too many new podcasters wait until they’re “big enough” to reach out to dream guests. But here’s the secret: most people are flattered to be asked. And if you focus on serving your guest — promoting them, respecting their time, delivering value — you’ll build relationships that last far beyond one episode.
Tools like Podmatch remove the friction and guesswork, letting you focus on what matters: creating amazing conversations that grow your show and serve your audience.
So stop waiting. Define your ideal guest. Craft your pitch. Sign up for Podmatch. Hit record.
Your next incredible episode is just one “yes” away.
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Ready to fill your calendar with perfect-fit guests?
👉 Get started with Podmatch today — it’s free!
Got a guest booking win? Share your story in the comments — we’d love to celebrate with you!
