Pitch to podcasts
How to pitch to podcasts
To pitch to podcasts, choose shows whose usual guests resemble you, then send each host a short, personal pitch with one specific episode idea and follow up once.
This guide from On Podcast Pitching follows the method Susan von Seggern uses inside sustained media outreach: identify target outlets and contacts first, then pitch. The 2026 data supports it. The median pitch is accepted only 5% of the time, so research and personalization, not volume, decide who gets booked.
Published by Susan von Seggern. Last updated: November 2026.
How do I pitch a podcast as a guest?
Start with fit, write for one host at a time, and keep the pitch about their listeners rather than your credentials. Five steps cover it:
- Define the story. Name the one thing you can explain better than most guests, and the timely reason to discuss it now: a launch, an event date, a book, a finding.
- Build a short list of podcasts to pitch to. Pick shows that already interview people at your level. Listen to two or three recent episodes of each before deciding.
- Write one pitch per show. Reference a specific recent episode, propose a working title for your episode, and give two or three talking points that serve that audience.
- Follow up once. If there is no reply after a reasonable wait, send one short note. Stop there if the show says it does not accept follow-ups.
- Connect it to the rest of your PR. Time pitches so episodes can air near your announcement or event, and share each episode as soon as it publishes.
Finding podcasts to pitch to
The shows most worth pitching are rarely the biggest ones. In Podseeker’s analysis of 6,546 pitches sent April 11 to August 11, 2026, with outcomes observed at least 60 days later, booking rates fell sharply with show size and guest level:
| Show type | Share of pitches booked |
|---|---|
| Shows that usually book accessible professionals | 4.5% |
| Shows that usually book public intellectuals | 0.4% |
| Shows with 10,000 to 100,000 listeners per episode | 0.3% |
| Shows above 100,000 listeners per episode | None of 171 pitches |
A practical reading: look for focused shows whose past guests have a profile like yours, whose listeners match the people you want to reach, and whose host clearly prepares for interviews. Those podcasts to pitch to will outperform a long list of famous names.
How to pitch podcasts without sounding like a template
Write as one person to another. Podchaser reports that AI-generated template pitches are the single biggest reason for rejection, cited by 68% of producers as grounds for an immediate no. A pitch that could be sent to any show reads as one that was.
- Subject line: the episode idea, not your name.
- First line: something specific from a recent episode.
- Middle: the angle, why it matters to this audience, and why now.
- End: a link to background, one sentence of credentials, and availability.
After a host says yes
Prepare talking points, confirm audio and video details, and plan promotion. Timing matters after release: Libsyn reports premium episodes achieve 65% of their total month-one audience footprint within the first 7 days of publication in 2026. Sharing the episode in that first week, alongside any related press release, gets the most from the booking.
Where a publicist helps
Self-pitching works for people with time and a tight list. A publicist adds contacts, research hours, and coordination. Susan von Seggern treats podcast pitching as part of sustained media outreach and pairs it with press releases, daily lead service monitoring, and events. Compare the options side by side on the options comparison page, or return to the overview of podcast pitching services.
If you were searching for podcasts similar to the pitch, meaning shows where founders pitch investors on air, this page covers something different: how to pitch yourself as a podcast guest.
Common questions
How do I pitch to podcasts?
Find shows whose audience and usual guest level match your expertise, then send a short, personal pitch with a specific episode idea. Research pays off: in Podseeker’s analysis of 6,546 pitches sent April 11 to August 11, 2026, shows that usually book accessible professionals booked 4.5% of pitches, versus 0.4% for shows that book public intellectuals.
How do I find podcasts to pitch to?
Look for shows that already interview guests like you, with listeners who match the people you want to reach. Listen to recent episodes, note the format, and check how guests are booked. Focused shows are often more realistic: Podseeker found that pitches to shows above 100,000 listeners per episode booked none of 171.
What makes a podcast pitch stand out to hosts?
Specificity and personalization. A strong pitch names the show, refers to a recent episode, and proposes an angle built for that audience. Templates hurt: Podchaser reports that AI-generated template pitches are the single biggest reason for rejection, cited by 68% of producers as grounds for an immediate no.
How long should a podcast pitch be?
Short enough to read quickly: a subject line naming the idea, a few sentences on the guest and the angle, and a link to background material. There is no universal word count, so check each show’s guest submission page, which often states exactly what the host wants to receive and how.
Should I follow up on a podcast pitch?
Usually yes, once and politely, after a reasonable wait. Hosts receive many pitches and miss some. The numbers leave room for it: Podchaser puts the median response rate at 17.5%, so most pitches get no reply at all. Respect any show that says it does not accept follow-ups.
Why are my podcast pitches being ignored?
The most common causes are poor fit and generic wording. Podchaser reports that AI-generated template pitches are cited by 68% of producers as grounds for an immediate no, and the median response rate is 17.5%. Pitching shows whose guests resemble you, and referring to specific episodes, usually helps more than sending more pitches.
Want the pitching handled for you?
Susan von Seggern pitches podcasts as part of sustained media outreach for event and corporate clients. Share your story, timing, and spokespeople through her contact page.
Contact Susan von Seggern