The Interview was written by King Hurley and Mark Graham.
“Whatcha listening to?”
Most of us have heard this question—perhaps from our family when we’re wearing earbuds while making dinner, or from a colleague when we cue up something on our phone for the commute home. We’ve seen (and perhaps been) people at the gym using headphones or earbuds.
In many cases, the answer to this question is, “A podcast.” This isn’t surprising. Podcasts are more popular than ever. According to one survey, in 2023, fully 45% of Americans aged 12 and up listened to podcasts monthly. That same year, Spotify reported 169 million monthly podcast listeners in the U.S.
So how can authors benefit from this trend? If you’ve written a book or are in the process of writing one—either on your own or with a ghostwriter—how can you put yourself out there as a podcast guest?
Here are some tips:
- Begin listening. If you’re not already doing so, listen to podcasts about your book’s subject matter. For example, if your book is in the personal growth arena, search for podcasts on this subject and listen to them regularly. Find the most popular podcasts discussing your subject matter, and pay careful attention to the content and guests. Does the host feature authors writing about the subject? Listen closely to those podcasts, and check out any books mentioned. If your book is comparable, you could be a good fit as a podcast guest.
- Check the podcaster’s guest requirements. Go to the podcast website and find guest requirements. Most podcast hosts will have a section on their website explaining who they’re looking for as a guest and what the requirements are to apply.
- Rate potential podcasts. Before applying to be a guest on any podcast, begin building a spreadsheet or list of potential podcasts. Once you have a robust list, rate the podcasts in order, with those you most wish to be a guest on at the top of your list.
Ready to apply? When you do, make sure to use your hook, which we talked about a few months ago on the blog. Keep the explanation of your book concise and compelling. Make sure to include your credentials, including any previous podcast appearances and public speaking you’ve done. In your spreadsheet, keep track of where you’ve applied, as well as any feedback you receive. If you’re accepted, be prepared to send the podcast host a free copy of your book, as they will likely want to read it before the podcast recording.
When recording day arrives, the most important thing is to be yourself! It’s natural to feel nervous, especially the first few times you do a podcast recording. An experienced host will do everything they can to put you at ease. If you’re in your own home, find a comfortable, quiet spot for the recording, free from pets, children, and other potential distractions. If you meet the podcast host at their site, make sure to arrive in plenty of time to get comfortable and get to know the host before the recording starts. Have water nearby, and if the podcast is being filmed as well as recorded for audio, be sure to have a copy of your book at hand to hold up when the moment is right!
If the experience sounds fun, you’re the perfect candidate to be a podcast guest! Remember that there are many ways to get the word out about your book, and podcasting is only one of them. But if you’re game to give it a try, podcasting can be a wonderful way for readers to discover you and your book.
Of course, the first step is a completed book. If your book is in-progress and you need editing or ghostwriting help, please get in touch. We’d love to hear about your project and talk about how we can help you toward completion—which can, in turn, get you out there talking about the book on one podcast after another!
