Welcome to Podcasting Problem Solver: How to Book Big-Name Guests (Even with a Small Podcast)
Leah Bryant [00:00:00]:
Welcome back to the Podcasting Problem Solver. I am your host, Leah Bryant, podcast growth coach, strategist, and your go-to guide for pitching, positioning, and landing big guests who bring instant credibility to your show. And today's topic, which I'm super excited to dive into, was a text in question from Alyssa. And her podcast is Rest for the Worn and Weary. And her question was, how do I reach out to well known people like other hosts on large podcasts and ask them to be a guest in a way that will result in a yes, even though my show is very small and new? Great question, and I'm so glad you submitted that. And I'm happy to answer that today on the pod. All right, so let me guess.
The Catch-22 of Booking Big Guests on a New Podcast
Leah Bryant [00:00:50]:
Maybe you've thought about this before. Why would that person ever say yes to me? My podcast is too new, too small, and I don't have the numbers. And that's a great question. And here's the catch 22 that also drives podcasters nuts. Because the guest that you really want to have on your show might not give you the time of day until your show has an audience, but your show might not grow until maybe you bring on those guests, right? If you don't figure this out, your podcast can risk staying in that just another show category. You and I both know that you did not start this podcast to add more noise to the Internet. You did start it to grow your authority, build your audience, and connect with the right people. So here's the good news that I have for you.
Why Download Numbers Matter Less Than You Think
Leah Bryant [00:01:33]:
You don't need thousands of downloads to get a recognizable name on your podcast. And by the end of today's episode, you'll know how to pitch, position, and persuade bigger guests to say yes, even if your podcast is brand new. All right, so the first thing, big guests don't care about your download numbers as much as you think. They actually care about the value. Value could look like a chance to promote their new project, access the right audience, even if it's small, or just have a great conversation that makes them look good. Right? Here's a stat for perspective. Edison research found that most podcasts average under 200 downloads per episode. Under 200.
Leah Bryant [00:02:12]:
Which means even those shows that look big on the outside, they're not reaching millions either. And guests already know this, right? Not everybody is Joe Rogan. And one of my clients used to panic about our numbers. She thought, I'll pitch once I look bigger. But you know what? When we were able to reframe her pitch around, who was listening? Small business owners who were potential buyers. That guest instantly said yes. So the takeaway that I want you to have here is that guests care about who's listening way more than how many are listening. And that is the S to my seamless framework.
Step One: Simplify Your Outreach to Big-Name Guests
Leah Bryant [00:02:45]:
Slimplify. Stop over complicating outreach by obsessing over vanity metrics. Show them the simple specific value that you offer. All right, next up is your pitch. And let's be real for a second. Goodness, most pitches are boring. I get a bajillion of them for my clients, for myself. They all sound the same and they're all very, very boring.
How to Craft a Compelling Podcast Guest Pitch
Leah Bryant [00:03:06]:
And they sound like this. Hey, wanna come on my podcast? And that's not compelling at all. Who wants to to go on someone's podcast if that's the opening? So I want you to think about it. A PR survey by Propel found journalists and by extension, high profile guests get hundreds of pitches a week. And if yours sounds like everybody else is in that pile, guess what? Yep, you're gonna fade into the background or worse, just get deleted. So if I was to pitch one of my dream clients, this is what I would do. I wouldn't start with please come on my show. No, I would start with their new book or their new project and explain why my audience is a perfect fit.
Your 4-Step Email Pitch Structure
Leah Bryant [00:03:46]:
All right, so maybe you're sitting there thinking, okay, Leah, this is all great in theory, but how do I actually make this happen? What does the email look like? And I've got you covered, friends. Here is a super simple structure that you can use today. All right, so number one, we want to personalize the opener. Right. Lead with something specific about them, like their new book or their podcast episode they just released or something that you genuinely admire. And then two, I want you to position the fit. Yes. Explain why your audience is perfect for their message.
Leah Bryant [00:04:20]:
Remember, even a small but targeted audience beats a big random one. Right. Number three, I want you to make it easy. Share the format, how long it's going to take, and what you'll handle. So there's zero prep or heavy lift on their end. I. Number four, I want you to end with a clear ask. Something like, would you be open to a 30 minute chat on my show? I'd love to feature you.
Leah Bryant [00:04:41]:
See how easy that is? And that's it. Four quick steps. Personalized, relevant, low friction, and clear. And by doing that, that is the E. Right. We're going to eliminate that friction. So you're making it a no brainer for them to say yes. Now, I know that I can sit here all day long and talk about what you need to do and how to do it.
Nervous About Outreach? Get Feedback on Your Pitch!
Leah Bryant [00:04:59]:
And it's still nervous, right? Because you're reaching out to people that you may not know. And I get that. And it can be very overwhelming or you may have reservations. Right? Well, if this is new to you and you want someone to look over your pitch, please feel free to send it to me. I will be happy to look over your pitch, give you some feedback and tell you what I think. You could do that by sending an email to support@leahbryantco.com and I will put that in the episode description below. Would love to help you. If you have questions or if you want me to just take a look at your pitch, I'd be happy to do that.
How to Build and Leverage Guest Credibility
Leah Bryant [00:05:31]:
Now let's talk about stacking credibility. Sometimes all it takes is one recognizable guest to open those floodgates, right? Podchaser research shows that when an authority figure shows up on your podcast, it instantly boosts listeners trust, even if they've never heard of your show before. So here's what I would do. If I wanted to pitch bigger names, I wouldn't start by pitching household names. I would start with respected experts in whatever niche that I was wanting to pitch to. Then when I would reach out to a bigger name, I could say, oh, I've interviewed X, Y, Z. And then suddenly those doors are opened. See what I did there? The thing is, is that one yes can easily turn into more yeses.
The Power of Strategic Alliances (A in "SEAMless")
Leah Bryant [00:06:15]:
And this is the A in Seamless, which we were going to call alliance Strategically, okay? So each guest you book should set you up for the next level. And here's the bonus tip I want you to take away. You don't always have to. Cold pitch. Warm intros are gold. Lean on your network, even if it feels small. Right now, LinkedIn data shows warm introductions are five times more effective than cold outreach. So relationships move doors that pitches alone can't.
Multiply Your Opportunities Through Networking
Leah Bryant [00:06:46]:
And that is the M in seamless. Multiply opportunities. Every connection you have can lead to another one if you're intentional about it. So let's put all this together, okay? We're going to lead with value and not audience size. We're going to craft pitches that are specific and irresistible. No templates, okay? And we're going to borrow credibility until you can hold your own. And of course, whenever possible, lean on relationships instead of just cold outreach. And that's your seamless approach to landing bigger guests.
The SEAMLESS Framework for Podcast Guest Outreach
Leah Bryant [00:07:16]:
Simplify, eliminate friction, align strategically, and multiply opportunities. Now, if you followed me for a while, you know that STEAM usually stands for strategy, execution, attraction and momentum. But what I love about this framework is how flexible it is today. You got to see how it can also guide you through guest outreach in a really practical way. And here's a reminder I want you to hold onto your podcast doesn't have to be big to land big names, it just has to be intentional, clear and worth their time. And hey, if you want more strategies like this behind the scenes tips I don't always share on the mic, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter. We have lots of fun. You'll find the link in the episode description below and I give you my best podcast growth strategies every single week.
Ask Your Questions—And Keep Podcasting With Intention!
Leah Bryant [00:07:59]:
And if you have a question and want it answered in another episode, then by all means send me a text by clicking the link in the episode description. You will be anonymous unless you tell me otherwise. And until next time friends, keep podcasting with intention, keep reaching out with value, and keep it seamless. Bye for now.
Recording Details:
Podcasting Problem Solver™ is the go-to podcast for entrepreneurs, coaches, and small business owners ready to launch, grow, and optimize a podcast that actually works for their business.
If you're looking for expert guidance on starting a podcast, podcast marketing, and streamlining your podcast production, you're in the right place.
Each week, you'll get straightforward strategies, tech tips, and behind-the-scenes insights from a full-time podcast producer who’s helped dozens of brands create binge-worthy, lead-generating shows. Whether you’re DIY-ing or outsourcing, you’ll learn what it takes to build a podcast that supports your business goals, without the overwhelm.
Whether you need clarity on the tech, support with strategy, or insight into podcasting for brand visibility, you’ll find it here.
Hosted by Leah Bryant, your behind-the-scenes podcast growth strategist and coach. Each episode is packed with practical advice, real talk, and smart solutions to help you turn your podcast into your brand’s most powerful marketing tool.
If you're ready to simplify the process and finally launch or grow your show, this podcast is your next step.
