Guest guide
How to get on podcasts as a guest
Published by Susan von Seggern. Last updated November 2026.
You get on podcasts by pitching shows that already book guests like you, with a short personal note that offers one clear episode idea tied to something timely.
This guide from Los Angeles publicist Susan von Seggern explains how to get on podcasts the way a publicist does it: research the fit, write for one host at a time, and connect each interview to a real event, launch, or milestone. The odds are steep, so method matters more than volume.
How hard is it to get on podcasts?
Harder than most people expect. Podchaser's 2026 research puts the median acceptance rate for a podcast guest pitch at 5%, roughly 1 in 20, with a median response rate of 17.5%. The good news is that fit changes those odds a great deal, as the numbers below show.
How to get on podcasts in six steps
- Name your news. An event date, a product launch, a book, or a milestone gives a host a reason to book you now.
- List shows that book guests like you. Look at recent episodes. Who were the guests, and do you resemble them?
- Listen before you write. Reference a specific episode so the host knows you are a real listener.
- Offer one episode idea. A clear title and three talking points beat a long biography.
- Write it yourself. Podchaser found 68% of producers treat AI-generated template pitches as grounds for an immediate no.
- Follow up once, then move on. Keep a record of who replied, and pitch again later when you have fresh news.
Bigger shows or better-matched shows?
Better-matched shows, almost every time. Podseeker analyzed 6,546 pitches sent April 11 to August 11, 2026, with outcomes observed at least 60 days later.
| Show type | Booking rate |
|---|---|
| Shows that usually book accessible professionals | 4.5% of pitches |
| Shows that book public intellectuals | 0.4% of pitches |
| Shows with 10,000 to 100,000 listeners per episode | 0.3% of pitches |
| Shows above 100,000 listeners per episode | None of 171 pitches |
Source: Podseeker, How to Decide If a Podcast Is a Good Fit for Your Client (2026).
Looking for how to get podcasts on iPhone or Android?
That is a different question. Searches like "how do i get podcasts on my iphone" or "how to get podcasts on android" are about listening, and the answer is to use your phone's podcast app or one from its app store. This page is about getting on podcasts as a guest.
When to hand podcast pitching to a publicist
Pitching takes time. The PodMatch blog notes that hosts and guests spend hours on research, coordination, and admin while only about 10% of their time goes to recording. If you are promoting an event or a corporate announcement, a publicist can carry that load and connect podcast interviews with press releases, lead service pitches, and event PR.
Susan von Seggern includes podcast pitching in her sustained media outreach. Learn how it works on the podcast pitching services guide, or compare options in publicist vs podcast booking agency.
Common questions
- How do I get on podcasts as a guest?
- You get on podcasts by finding shows whose audience matches your expertise, studying recent episodes, and sending each host a short, specific pitch with a clear episode idea. Podchaser’s 2026 research puts the median acceptance rate at 5%, so volume alone rarely works; relevance and personalization do. A publicist can handle the research, pitching, and follow-up for you.
- How do you choose which podcasts to pitch?
- Fit matters more than size. Podseeker’s analysis of 6,546 pitches sent April 11 to August 11, 2026 found that shows with 10,000 to 100,000 listeners per episode booked 0.3% of pitches, and shows above 100,000 booked none of 171. Shows that usually book accessible professionals booked 4.5%. Targeting shows that host guests like you is the efficient path.
- Do AI-written pitches work?
- Usually not. Podchaser’s 2026 research found that AI-generated template pitches are the single biggest reason for rejection, cited by 68% of producers as grounds for an immediate no. Producers want evidence that the sender has listened to the show. Personalized pitches written for each host are far more likely to earn a reply.
- What is a good response rate for podcast pitches?
- Podchaser puts the median response rate for podcast guest pitches at 17.5% and the median acceptance rate at 5% as of 2026. That means roughly 1 in 20 pitches to a typical show leads to a booking. Results above those medians usually reflect tighter targeting and stronger, more specific episode ideas.
- What should I have ready before pitching podcasts?
- Have a short bio, a clear headshot, two or three specific topics you can speak to, and any news hook such as an event date or launch. Links to past interviews or talks help hosts judge fit. A publicist can help sharpen these materials before outreach begins.
- Why am I not getting replies to podcast pitches?
- Common causes are poor fit, generic templates, and aiming only at the biggest shows. Podchaser found 68% of producers reject AI-generated template pitches immediately, and Podseeker found that shows above 100,000 listeners per episode booked none of 171 pitches studied. Narrow your list to shows that book guests like you and personalize each pitch.
- Is this about how to get podcasts on iPhone or Android?
- No. Searches like "how to get podcasts on iphone" or "how to get podcasts on android" are about listening apps. This site covers the other meaning of getting on podcasts: being booked as a guest. To listen, use the podcast app on your phone or one from its app store. To appear as a guest, you need research and pitching.
Want help getting on podcasts?
Tell Susan von Seggern what you are promoting and when. She will tell you whether podcast pitching, press releasing, lead service monitoring, or event PR fits your goals, and what a campaign would involve.