Finding Your Brand’s Voice in the Podcast Space: Webinar Recap

In a recent webinar, Trent Anderson, Head of Rev. Ops at Podchaser, was joined by Jack Williams from Mackasey Howard Agency, Lead Content Developer and Podcast Outreach Specialist, to discuss how podcasts can revolutionize PR strategies and provide valuable insights. Let’s delve into the key takeaways from the session and explore the actionable tactics our hosts shared to help transform PR efforts.

The Four-Step Framework for Finding the Perfect Podcast Fit

When it comes to leveraging podcasts for PR, finding the right fit is crucial. The panelists emphasized the importance of developing a well-defined framework to identify podcasts that align with your brand’s objectives.

Our framework consists of four essential steps:

1. Content

Start by researching the podcasts in your niche. Look for shows that cater to your target audience and have a strong listener base. Consider factors such as the topics covered, the host’s style, and the overall tone of the podcast. Take a look at recent episodes titles and if time allows listen to some of the recent episodes to reference key content in your pitch.

2. Context

Take time to examine the perspective and point of view the podcast and its hosts take on topics of interest. If your brand specializes in sustainable fashion, you would want to find podcasts that focus on eco-friendly lifestyles, ethical fashion, and conscious consumerism. By targeting podcasts that align with your brand values, you can ensure that your message reaches the right audience and resonates with them on a deeper level.

3. Audience

Once you have shortlisted potential podcasts, conduct a thorough audience analysis. Understand their demographics, interests, and preferences. This will help you tailor your pitch and make it more appealing to both the podcast host and their listeners.

Take the time to delve into the podcast’s social media presence, website, and any available listener feedback through reviews or social engagement. By gaining insights into the podcast’s audience, you can craft a pitch that speaks directly to their needs and interests. This personalization will increase your chances of securing a spot on the podcast and capturing the attention of the listeners.

In short, show that you have done your homework and explain why your expertise or story would resonate with their audience.

4. Reach

When we talk about ‘reach’ in the context of podcasts, it’s crucial to consider not just the breadth of your audience, but the depth of engagement you can foster.

A wide reach can put your content in front of more eyes, potentially increasing brand awareness across a broader demographic. However, it often needs a more personalized touch that turns listeners into engaged users.

On the other end of the spectrum, a narrower reach with significant depth can mean highly targeted interactions with a core audience deeply interested in your niche. This can lead to a more dedicated and loyal customer base, and while the audience size might be smaller, the conversion rates—and ultimately ROI—can be much higher.

Finding the right balance between reach and depth is essential for any marketing strategy, aiming to spread the word while still creating meaningful connections with the audience.

Crafting Effective Podcast Pitches

Once you have identified the perfect podcast for your brand, it’s time to craft a compelling pitch.

The panelists shared some valuable tips to make your podcast pitch stand out:

1. Be Concise and Clear

Podcast hosts receive numerous pitches, so it’s important to get your message across succinctly. Be clear about why you are a great fit for their show and what unique perspective or knowledge you can offer.

When crafting your pitch, think of it as a teaser trailer for your episode. You want to entice the podcast host with just enough information to leave them wanting more. Remember, brevity is key in capturing their attention amidst the sea of pitches they receive.

Tip: Trent from the Podchaser team emphasized the importance of crafting your pitch to appear on mobile, as this is how many hosts will view it.

2. Personalize Your Pitch

Avoid sending generic pitches. Take the time to personalize each pitch based on your research. Show the host that you are familiar with their show and explain why you believe your story or expertise would resonate with their audience.

Personalization is not just about inserting the host’s name into a template. It’s about demonstrating a genuine interest in their content and audience. Mention specific episodes or topics from their podcast that resonated with you and explain how your contribution can add value to their existing body of work.

3. Highlight Your Value

Emphasize how your appearance on the podcast will benefit both the host and their audience. Clearly articulate the value you can bring through insights, expert opinions, or thought-provoking discussions.

Consider framing your value proposition in a way that directly addresses pain points or challenges faced by the podcast’s audience. By showcasing how your expertise can provide solutions or fresh perspectives, you position yourself as a valuable asset to the host’s content strategy.

4. Provide Supporting Material

Include relevant links to your previous podcast appearances, articles, or interviews. This will give the host a better understanding of your expertise and make it easier for them to evaluate your suitability for their show.

Think of these supporting materials as your portfolio of work. They serve as tangible evidence of your credibility and showcase your ability to engage an audience. Including them in your pitch not only saves the host time in researching your background but also demonstrates your proactive approach to collaboration.

The Logistics of Podcast Appearances

Once you have successfully pitched yourself and secured a guest appearance on a podcast, it’s important to be well-prepared and understand the logistics involved. The panelists provided valuable insights on managing podcast appearances:

1. Pre-Interview Preparation

Research the podcast thoroughly and familiarize yourself with previous episodes. Understand the host’s style, the typical length of the episode, and the topics they cover. Prepare talking points and anecdotes that align with the theme of the show.

2. Sound Quality

Invest in a good-quality microphone and ensure a quiet environment for recording. Poor sound quality can detract from your message and reflect poorly on your professionalism. Test the equipment beforehand to identify and address any audio issues.

3. Engaging Delivery

Engage in active listening during the interview to ensure a smooth and engaging conversation. Be concise, articulate, and enthusiastic when presenting your ideas. Maintain a conversational tone to keep listeners interested and connected.

4. Post-Interview Promotion

After the episode is released, actively promote it on your social media channels, website, and through newsletters. Encourage your audience to listen and share the episode, thus expanding the reach and impact of your appearance.

Q&A Insights: From Paid Placements to Follow-Up Strategies

The webinar concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where attendees had the opportunity to seek advice from the panelists. Some noteworthy insights were:

Paid Placements: While some podcasts offer paid sponsorship opportunities, it’s important to evaluate the ROI and relevance before committing to such arrangements. Ensure that the podcast’s target audience aligns with your brand’s target audience. Some podcast hosts may view an earned media pitch as a pitch for paid placement. This differentiation can be a hard line to walk, but make sure to mention that you’re looking to provide value through a guest placement or earned media interview in a pitch.

Follow-Up Strategies: The panelists emphasized the importance of timely and persistent follow-ups. However, it is equally important to strike a balance and avoid being overly pushy or aggressive in your communication.

Demo Podchaser Pro

Podcasts offer a valuable and untapped opportunity for amplifying PR strategies. By following the four-step framework for finding the perfect podcast fit, crafting effective pitches, and understanding the logistics of podcast appearances, PR professionals can leverage this medium to unlock new levels of brand exposure while differentiating from other agencies that do not offer podcast placement services.

Ready to put your newfound knowledge into action and elevate your PR strategy with podcast guest appearances?

With Podchaser Pro, you’ll have the essential tools at your fingertips. Access over millions of contacts across 4.5 million shows to find the perfect host and make your pitch a reality. Gain exclusive insights, compare podcasts by reach and listener demographics, and streamline the process of booking your next guest spot.

Discover how Podchaser Pro can be the game-changer for your PR efforts.