I recently heard someone say that they were unsure as to whether being interviewed on different podcasts was really helpful for them or not. This gave me pause both as a podcaster and as a publicist.
I’m trying not to be biased as the host of the weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast or as the founder and president of Now Hear This, Inc., but I had to immediately disagree with the thought that it might not be beneficial to get interviewed on podcasts.
Let me dig into the various reasons why you should, in fact, pursue being a guest on podcasts – of which there are plenty, I might add.
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In no particular order:
1. Let’s get this one out of the way. Yes, of course, it’s obvious that they’re a great source to get the word out about your business, product, or service. This would include those of you who are creating original music or have written a book (or multiple books), among countless others.
2. It helps you build your brand and establish yourself as an expert in your specialty area. I’m often heard telling my clients that the more we can show how busy they are, the more that people will say, “This person must be good. Look at how much they’re doing!” And thus, they’ll be more apt to get in touch to discuss whatever opportunity they might have for you. Remember, you want to be seen as one of the “go-to” people on your topic.
3. It’s also really good practice. The more reps that you get through being interviewed on podcasts, the better you’ll become at being a guest, period, meaning radio and TV as well.
4. They provide opportunities to post on social media. I’m amazed when I do speaking engagements and people tell me how stumped they are at what to post about on social media. They are shocked when I tell them that I post seven days a week on the “Now Hear This Entertainment” official Instagram account, especially since my podcast “only” comes out one day a week. So, if you’re going to be interviewed on a podcast, you can post (a) the day that you get booked for it, (b) the day that you record the interview, and (c) the day that it comes out!
5. You never know who’s in the audience. Yup, it’s just like advice that I give to my performer clients. In this case, someone might hear your interview and contact you with who knows what. No matter how big or small that invitation might be that they have for you, remember that you wouldn’t have gotten it if you decided that doing podcast interviews aren’t worth your time. I remember one time being contacted by someone in Ireland who was booking a one-on-one online consultation with me because they had heard me being interviewed on a podcast!
6. There could very well be a strong connection that you make with the host! I once booked a client as a guest on someone’s podcast and the two of them hit it off so well that an invitation ended up being extended to come back – as a guest co-host! And, not just once, but, this has turned into a recurring invitation.
7. On a similar note, you just might get asked back again. If the host really likes you, they could very well decide that they want to have you as a guest some other time, and now you get a second opportunity out of it, and another shot at one or more of the above six items taking place.
Of course, the person I was referring to at the very start of this blog is referring to wanting to get results if/when they’re interviewed on a podcast. I have an entire online course (on-demand, go at your own pace videos) for that, where I teach in a way designed to help you get more results from interviews you do on radio, TV, podcasts, etc. I draw from my years of experience working for a National Hockey League team, working in the Olympic Movement, and running Now Hear This, Inc., to give more than two dozen tips to help maximize your interview opportunities, PLUS I have a module in there that presents 15 different sources for finding more interviews.
The point here is to put yourself out there. Rather than sitting home and being skeptical or wondering how so many others around you are getting interviewed while you’re not getting any such opportunities, dive in and start getting yourself into the guest seat. A year from now you’ll look back with a great sense of accomplishment at how many shows you’ve been on.
Still have questions about all of this, though? Let’s have a ten-minute call (longer, if you need it) so I can answer your questions and put aside any doubts you have. Take advantage of my experience working with indie music artists, authors, actors and actresses, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and podcasters from across the U.S. for twenty years now, so that you too can start having your voice heard, figuratively and literally. I’ll look forward to chatting with you!