podcast-guest-pitch

name	podcast-guest-pitch
description	Writes podcast guest pitches with topic angles, talking points, audience alignment, and one-sheet creation.
allowed-tools	Read Write Glob
metadata	{"author":"matthewhitcham","version":"1.0"}

Podcast Guest Pitch

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when you need to:

• Write a pitch email to get booked as a guest on a podcast
• Create a podcast guest one-sheet with topics, bio, and talking points
• Develop multiple topic angles tailored to different shows
• Build a systematic outreach plan for podcast guesting

DO NOT use this skill for launching your own podcast, creating podcast episodes, or pitching sponsorships. This is for getting booked as a guest on other people's shows.

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Core Principle

PODCAST HOSTS ARE DROWNING IN GENERIC PITCHES — YOURS MUST SHOW YOU LISTENED TO THEIR SHOW, YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC TOPIC THEIR AUDIENCE NEEDS, AND YOU WILL MAKE THE HOST LOOK GOOD.

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Phase 1: Brief

Required Inputs

Input	What to Ask	Default
Your expertise	"What are you an expert in? What results have you achieved?"	No default — must be provided
Target podcasts	"List 3-5 podcasts you want to pitch (or describe your ideal show)."	No default — must be provided
Core topics	"What 2-3 topics can you speak about with authority?"	No default — must be provided
Audience you want to reach	"Who do you want listening?"	Solopreneurs and small business owners
CTA	"What should listeners do after hearing you? (visit site, download resource, book call)"	Visit website for free resource

GATE: Confirm the brief before proceeding.

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Phase 2: Prepare

Research Each Target Podcast

Before pitching, document for each show:

## Podcast: [Name]
**Host:** [Name]
**Audience:** [Who listens]
**Format:** [Interview, solo, panel — episode length]
**Recent episodes:** [3 relevant titles]
**Gap:** [Topic they have NOT covered that you can fill]
**Episode to reference:** [Specific episode you will mention in your pitch]

Topic Angles

Develop 3 angles per podcast, each tailored to their audience:

## Topic Angles for [Podcast Name]

**Angle 1:** [Title] — [One sentence on what this covers]
**Why their audience cares:** [Connection to their listeners' problems]

**Angle 2:** [Title] — [One sentence]
**Why their audience cares:** [Connection]

**Angle 3:** [Title] — [One sentence]
**Why their audience cares:** [Connection]

GATE: Present research and angles for approval before writing pitches.

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Phase 3: Write

Pitch Email Structure

Subject: [Specific topic] for [Podcast Name] listeners

Hi [Host first name],

[Personal reference — mention a specific episode and what you took from it. 1-2 sentences.]

[Your pitch — the specific topic you want to discuss and why their audience needs it. 2-3 sentences.]

[Your credibility — one specific result or experience that qualifies you. 1-2 sentences.]

[Talking points — 3-4 bullet points of what you would cover.]

[Easy next step — link to your one-sheet or suggest a quick call.]

[Sign-off]
[Name]
[One-line bio]

Pitch Rules

• Subject line: Include the podcast name and a specific topic — never "Guest pitch" or "Interview request"
• Length: Under 200 words total — hosts scan, they do not read essays
• Personalization: Reference a specific episode, not just "I love your show"
• Talking points: 3-4 bullets that are specific and intriguing
• No attachments: Link to your one-sheet, do not attach a PDF

Podcast Guest One-Sheet

## [Your Name] — Podcast Guest One-Sheet

### Bio
[150-word bio focused on credibility and personality]

### Topics I Speak About
1. **[Topic Title]** — [2-3 talking points]
2. **[Topic Title]** — [2-3 talking points]
3. **[Topic Title]** — [2-3 talking points]

### What Hosts Say
"[Testimonial from a previous host or collaborator]"

### Episode Value
- Actionable frameworks listeners can implement immediately
- Real stories and examples (not theory)
- Custom free resource for listeners (e.g., downloadable template)

### Contact
- Website: [URL]
- Email: [Email]
- Social: [Primary platform handle]
- Headshot: [Link to download high-res photo]
- Sample episode: [Link to a previous guest appearance]

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Phase 4: Polish

1. Follow-Up Sequence

## Follow-Up Plan
**Day 0:** Send pitch email
**Day 7:** Follow-up #1 — brief, add a new talking point or recent result
**Day 21:** Follow-up #2 — offer an alternative topic angle
**Day 45:** Move to "revisit later" list — pitch again in 3-6 months with a new angle

2. Tracking System

| Podcast | Host | Date Pitched | Response | Follow-Up | Status |
|---------|------|-------------|----------|-----------|--------|
| [Name] | [Name] | [Date] | [Y/N] | [Date] | [Booked/Pending/Declined] |

3. Pitch Quality Checklist

- [ ] Subject line includes the podcast name
- [ ] References a specific episode (not generic praise)
- [ ] Topic is tailored to THEIR audience, not your agenda
- [ ] Pitch is under 200 words
- [ ] Includes 3-4 specific talking points
- [ ] Credibility is shown through results, not titles
- [ ] Clear next step (link to one-sheet or scheduling link)
- [ ] No typos in the host's name or podcast name

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Example 1: Business Podcast Pitch

Subject: How I built a $20K/month business using only AI tools — for [Podcast Name]

Hi Sarah,

Your episode with James on automating client onboarding was spot on — I implemented his Zapier workflow the same week.

I'd love to share how I built a $20K/month service business using only AI tools and no employees. Most solopreneurs use AI for content, but I've systematized it for operations, sales, and delivery.

Here's what I'd cover:
- The 5 AI tools that replaced my need for a team of 4
- How I automated 80% of client delivery without losing quality
- The exact weekly workflow that runs my business in 20 hours/week
- Common AI automation mistakes that cost more time than they save

Here's my one-sheet: [link]

Happy to jump on a quick call if this sounds like a fit.

Example 2: Marketing Podcast Pitch

Subject: Why your email welcome sequence is losing subscribers — for [Podcast Name]

Hi Mike,

Loved your recent deep-dive on list building with Priya — especially the lead magnet framework.

I'd love to pick up where that episode left off: what happens AFTER someone subscribes. I've audited 200+ welcome sequences and found that 73% make the same 3 mistakes in the first email.

Talking points:
- The 3 welcome email mistakes killing your open rates
- A 5-email sequence template that converts subscribers to buyers
- Why most "value emails" actually train people to ignore your pitches

One-sheet: [link]

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Anti-Patterns

• Generic pitches — "I'd love to be a guest on your show" sent to 100 hosts gets zero bookings. Personalize every pitch.
• Pitching yourself, not the topic — hosts book topics their audience wants, not impressive resumes.
• No talking points — making the host figure out what you would discuss adds work to their plate. Do it for them.
• Long pitches — anything over 200 words gets skimmed or skipped.
• No follow-up — most bookings happen on the follow-up, not the first email. Plan for at least 2 follow-ups.
• Pitching shows you have never listened to — hosts can tell. Listen to at least 2 episodes before pitching.

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Recovery

• User has no previous podcast appearances: Offer to record a 3-minute sample clip. Focus the pitch on the topic's value, not speaking experience.
• User does not know which podcasts to pitch: Search their niche on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and ListenNotes. Target shows with 20-100 reviews (big enough to matter, small enough to be accessible).
• Pitch gets no response after 2 follow-ups: Try a different topic angle. If still no response, the show may not be a fit — move on.
• User has only one topic: Develop 3 angles on that topic. Same expertise, different entry points for different audiences.