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.

---

## 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.

---

## 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.**

---

## 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.**

---

## 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]
```

---

## 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
```

---

## 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]
```

---

## 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.

---

## 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.