Podcast Scout

---
name: podcast-scout
description: Use when you want to find podcasts to pitch for guest appearances. Researches 5 matched podcasts, builds personalised outreach emails, and asks before sending.
version: 1.0.0
author: Pete Swain / Hermes Agent
output_mode: execute
destination: direct action (email outreach)
---

## Overview

Podcast guesting is one of the highest-leverage traffic strategies for thought leaders, consultants, and founders. This skill researches 5 podcasts that genuinely match your expertise and audience, crafts personalised pitch emails for each, and holds before sending — giving you full review and control before any outreach goes out.

This is not a spray-and-pray tool. Every podcast is selected based on fit, every pitch is tailored, and you approve before a single email is sent.

## When to Use

- You say "find me podcasts to pitch"
- You say "I want to get on podcasts"
- You're launching a new offer and want earned media
- You're building authority in a new niche and need exposure
- You want to add podcast guesting to your content strategy

## How It Works

1. **Gather context.** Ask the user: What is your core area of expertise or topic? Who is your ideal audience? Do you have a current offer, book, or message you're promoting? Any platforms or audience sizes you prefer?

2. **Research 5 podcasts.** Search for podcasts that match the stated niche and audience. For each podcast surface:
   - Host name and podcast name
   - Estimated audience size / download range
   - Typical guest profile (who they usually feature)
   - One recent episode title and its angle
   - Why this guest (the user) would be a compelling fit — 2 sentences

3. **Draft outreach emails.** For each podcast, write a short, personalised pitch email (150–200 words max):
   - Subject line that gets opened
   - Opening line that references something specific about the show
   - 2–3 sentences on who the user is and what value they'd bring to the audience
   - A specific episode angle or topic idea
   - A soft, low-pressure close ("Happy to send a bio and talking points if this sounds like a fit.")

4. **Present for review.** Display all 5 podcasts and their draft emails clearly. Let the user review, edit, or remove any.

5. **Ask before acting.** Do NOT send anything until explicitly asked. End with: *"Should I send these outreach emails? If yes, say 'send all' or tell me which ones to send."*

6. **Execute on confirmation.** Send the approved emails via the user's connected email account. Confirm each send.

## What the Agent Needs From You

- **Your expertise area / niche** — what do you talk about, teach, or do?
- **Your target audience** — who listens to podcasts you should be on?
- **Your current message or hook** — is there a book, offer, story, or topic you're promoting right now?
- **Preferred audience size** (optional) — e.g., "at least 5,000 downloads per episode" or "no preference"
- **Platforms** (optional) — e.g., "Apple Podcasts and Spotify" or "industry-specific shows"
- **Your email account** — connected via Hermes integrations for outreach

## Output

- A formatted list of 5 podcast opportunities with full research summaries
- 5 personalised pitch emails ready to send
- Emails delivered to each host's booking/contact email on user confirmation

> ⚠️ **CONFIRM BEFORE SENDING:** This skill will NOT send any emails until you explicitly approve. Review every pitch, edit anything that doesn't feel right, then say "send" to execute.