There’s a shift happening in the world of media visibility.
Traditional PR is expensive and fleeting. Social media algorithms are inconsistent and noisy. Paid ads can burn your budget without building trust.
But podcast interviews? They offer a powerful combination of credibility, depth, and long-tail exposure—especially for founders and CEOs looking to grow their influence and drive business outcomes.
In fact, more CEOs and industry leaders are turning to guest podcasting to:
- Share their brand story in long form
- Establish authority in their market
- Build authentic relationships with niche audiences
- Drive traffic, leads, and even high-ticket clients
At Command Your Brand, we specialize in booking high-performing entrepreneurs on shows their ideal clients actually listen to.
In this in-depth guide, we’re sharing everything you need to know to start landing interviews on top podcasts—without needing to be “famous” or hire a PR firm.
Let’s break down how to get booked—and what to do once you are.
Part 1: Why Podcast Guesting Is a High-Leverage Visibility Strategy
Podcast interviews aren’t like other forms of media.
They’re uniquely powerful for a few reasons:
1.1 You Get Instant Credibility
Being featured on an established podcast automatically borrows trust from the host. It signals to the audience:
“This person is worth listening to.”
1.2 You Get Long-Form Attention
Most social content is scrolled past in seconds. Podcast interviews last 30–60 minutes, giving you time to share your story, teach your method, and connect on a deeper level.
1.3 You Create Evergreen Content
Podcasts live forever. Unlike IG stories or tweets, a podcast interview can be discovered and generate traffic months or years after release.
1.4 You Reach Targeted, Engaged Audiences
Instead of shouting into the void, podcast guesting puts you in front of pre-built, niche audiences—the exact people you want to reach.
But none of that happens unless you get booked first. So how do you do it?
Part 2: Step 1 — Clarify Your Podcast Guesting Positioning
2.1 Start With the “Why You?”
Most podcast hosts receive dozens of guest requests every week.
If you want to stand out, you need to answer the unspoken question:
“Why should I bring you on my show?”
That answer must be clear, relevant to their audience, and backed by real-world experience or insight.
As a founder or CEO, your advantage is your unique perspective at the intersection of industry knowledge, leadership experience, and a story of building something from nothing.
2.2 Build a “Podcast One-Liner”
This is your podcast elevator pitch—1–2 sentences that sum up:
- Who you help
- What result you create
- How your story, framework, or journey supports that message
Example:
“I’m the founder of a 7-figure e-commerce brand, and I help other product-based businesses scale their operations without burning out.
I share the systems I used to grow fast and sustainably.”
This one-liner anchors your value in something tangible—and makes it easy for a host to say yes.
Part 3: Step 2 — Build Your Podcast Guesting Assets
Before you start reaching out to shows, have these core assets in place:
3.1 A One-Sheet or Digital Press Kit
This 1-page document includes:
- Your bio (3rd person)
- Approved headshots
- Suggested topics or questions
- Social proof (company size, media mentions, relevant achievements)
- Contact and scheduling info
You want to make it easy for a host or producer to see your value at a glance.
3.2 A Short, Story-Driven Bio
Your podcast bio should:
- Highlight your credibility (founded, scaled, exited, etc.)
- Tie into a larger mission or journey
- Show personality without losing professionalism
Example:
“After bootstrapping his first SaaS company to $10M in ARR, John Smith now helps founders scale without sacrificing their health or freedom. He’s been featured in Forbes, Inc., and over 100 podcast interviews sharing his growth playbook.”
3.3 Talking Points or Signature Topics
Don’t pitch yourself as “happy to talk about anything.” Create 2–4 compelling topics that match your expertise and the problems podcast listeners want solved.
Examples:
- “How to Build a Brand That Grows Without Paid Ads”
- “Scaling a Company in Recession: What CEOs Need to Know”
- “Lessons From Leading a Remote Team Across 5 Time Zones”
Strong talking points show you’ve thought about the host’s audience—and can deliver value.
Part 4: Step 3 — Find the Right Shows
Not all podcasts are created equal. Focus on quality over quantity.
4.1 Build a Podcast Target List
Start with podcasts that:
- Serve your ideal audience (entrepreneurs, executives, marketers, etc.)
- Have published at least 25 episodes (shows with traction)
- Publish consistently (not dormant)
- Interview guests regularly (not just solo content)
- Are actively promoting on social or YouTube
Use tools like:
- Apple Podcasts (browse categories)
- ListenNotes.com (search keywords + filters)
- Podchaser.com
- Spotify (look for “related podcasts”)
- Chartable and Podcast Guests directories
Create a spreadsheet with:
- Show name
- Host name
- Link
- Target topic
- Contact info
- Date pitched
- Response status
4.2 Don’t Chase Only the Big Names
It’s tempting to only pitch “top 50” shows—but mid-tier or niche podcasts often have more engaged, more targeted listeners, and are easier to book.
Getting on 5 shows with the right audience is better than 1 show with a massive but irrelevant one.
Part 5: Step 4 — Craft a Winning Pitch
5.1 Personalize Every Message
Podcast hosts can smell a copy-paste pitch a mile away. Mention something specific about their show:
- A past guest you liked
- An episode that stood out
- A theme you connected with
This shows respect—and increases your odds dramatically.
5.2 Focus on What’s in It for Them
Don’t lead with your company or credentials. Lead with how you’ll deliver value to their audience.
Bad Pitch:
“I’m the CEO of a fintech startup and I’d love to be on your podcast.”
Good Pitch:
“As a founder who scaled a B2B SaaS company from 0 to $10M ARR, I’d love to share what most founders get wrong about product-market fit. I think your audience of early-stage tech entrepreneurs would really benefit from a behind-the-scenes look at our mistakes and wins.”
5.3 Include a Call to Action
End your pitch with a clear question and link to your assets:
“Would this be a fit for your show? You can find my one-sheet and sample topics here: [link]”
Keep it short, relevant, and easy to say yes to.
Part 6: Step 5 — Be a Great Guest (and Get Invited Back)
Getting booked is step one. But how you show up on the podcast matters just as much.
6.1 Prep Your Stories and Soundbites
Think in stories, not just information. Prepare:
- A 90-second founder origin story
- 1–2 client case studies or examples
- A concise explanation of your framework or process
- A closing insight or takeaway
Make the interview memorable, not robotic.
6.2 Help the Host Look Good
- Show up early
- Wear decent audio gear (USB mic, headphones)
- Speak with clarity, not jargon
- Stay on time
- Don’t over-promote
When you make the host look good, they’ll often refer you to other hosts—or invite you back.
6.3 Offer a Clear CTA for Listeners
At the end of the episode, the host will likely ask:
“Where can people find you?”
Don’t just say “Follow me on LinkedIn.” Offer:
- A free resource tied to the topic
- A link to a special landing page
- A discovery call for qualified listeners
Example:
“To get our free agency growth checklist and behind-the-scenes breakdown, go to [yourwebsite.com/podcast]”
Track these links so you know which shows convert best.
Part 7: Step 6 — Repurpose and Promote Your Appearances
After the episode airs, don’t let it fade into obscurity.
7.1 Promote the Interview Across Channels
- Share a LinkedIn post with your takeaways
- Pull short clips for Instagram or TikTok
- Add quotes to your email newsletter
- Tag the host and engage in comments
This promotes the podcast, builds your brand, and increases your reach.
7.2 Add Interviews to Your Website and Funnels
- Create a “Featured On” section
- Link relevant interviews inside your lead nurture sequences
- Use podcast clips in sales presentations or investor decks
Leverage these interviews as long-term authority assets.
Visibility Creates Opportunity
As a founder or CEO, your time is valuable—and so is your voice.
Podcast guesting is one of the most leveraged ways to share your message, grow your brand, and open new doors for partnerships, media, hiring, and client growth.
But the results don’t come from luck. They come from strategy.
When you:
- Craft a clear positioning
- Target the right shows
- Deliver strong, value-driven interviews
- Follow up with smart promotion
…you build a presence that compounds. One podcast turns into five. Five turns into fifty. And before long, you’re not just featured—you’re known.
Want to Get Booked on Top Podcasts—Without Doing the Outreach?
At Command Your Brand, we specialize in positioning founders, CEOs, and thought leaders on the right shows, with the right messaging, to create business growth.
We don’t just get you interviews—we build a podcast guesting system that generates leads, grows authority, and converts conversations into clients.
Ready to get booked? Schedule a call with us today.
Let’s amplify your voice and your vision—one podcast at a time.
