Your Mic Moment: How to Be a Stellar Podcast Guest (and Why It's a Game-Changer for Authors)
As an author, I’m always looking for authentic ways to connect with readers. We hear so much about the algorithm-driven world of short-form video, but sometimes it feels like shouting into a void. Is there a better way?
I recently listened to a fantastic episode of The Creative Penn Podcast where host Joanna Penn interviewed Matty Dalrymple, co-author of The Podcast Guest Playbook. Their conversation was a masterclass in how podcast appearances can build genuine trust and drive real business success. It completely reframed my thinking.
If you've ever considered pitching yourself as a podcast guest but felt unsure, this is for you. Here are the powerful takeaways I got from Matty’s wisdom.
Why Podcasts? Depth Over Distraction
In an age of 30-second clips, podcasts offer something rare and valuable: depth. As Matty pointed out, a 45-minute conversation allows you to dive into the stories behind your story. Listeners get to know your voice, your passion, and your personality. They aren't just passive scrollers; they’re an engaged audience choosing to spend time with you.
This builds a level of trust that a flashy video simply can’t. When people feel connected to you, they’re far more likely to connect with your work.
The Mindset Shift: From Sales to Service
This was my biggest "aha!" moment. Don't go into an interview thinking about book sales.
I know, it sounds counterintuitive. But Matty emphasized that the most effective approach is to focus on providing immense value to the host and their listeners.
Think of it this way: you’re a resource, not a salesperson. Share your knowledge, tell captivating stories, and answer questions with generosity. When you intrigue people with your expertise and personality, the book sales will follow naturally as a result of the connection you’ve built.
Crafting the Perfect Pitch (That Actually Gets a "Yes")
So, how do you land these valuable interviews? A generic, copy-pasted pitch is a one-way ticket to the trash folder. Matty shared the golden rules:
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Demonstrate You’ve Done Your Homework: Never use “Dear Podcaster.” Show you’re a genuine listener. Mention a specific episode you enjoyed and explain why your topic would be a great follow-up or complement.
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Lead with Value, Not Your Ask: Your pitch shouldn’t be, “I have a new book, can I be on your show?” Instead, frame it as, “I have valuable insights on [Topic X] that your audience, who enjoyed your episode on [Related Topic Y], would love.”
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Offer Flexible Angles: Especially for fiction authors! Don’t just pitch your book’s plot. Pitch the themes—the research you did, the unique settings, the psychological depth of your characters. As Joanna added, a cozy mystery author set on a cruise ship could brilliantly pitch a travel podcast.
Be the Guest Hosts Rave About: Preparation & Professionalism
Once you’ve landed the spot, the real work begins. Be the guest that makes the host's job easy.
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Practice Your Conversations: Matty suggests practicing your talking points with a friend. Watch their body language to see what resonates and what makes their eyes glaze over.
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Be Prepared, But Don’t Read: Use notes as a guide, not a script. The goal is a fluid, authentic conversation.
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Embrace the 3 P’s: Be Polite, Professional, and Prepared. If the host asks for a 100-word bio, don’t send 500. Provide links, not just handles. Remember, most hosts do this as a labor of love—respect their time and process.
The Secret No One Talks About: It’s About Relationships
A podcast appearance isn’t a one-off transaction. It’s the start of a relationship.
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With the Host: Nurture that connection. Share the episode when it goes live, tag them thoughtfully on social media, and keep in touch. This can lead to repeat appearances, collaborations, and valuable friendships in the industry.
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With Your Peers: Some of the best opportunities come from authentic connections with fellow authors. Go to conferences, engage on social media, and build a community. As both Joanna and Matty attested, their co-authored books and podcast collaborations sprung from friendships forged years ago, not transactional pitches.
The Final Word: It’s Never Too Late
Whether you're a debut author or have a long backlist, the world of podcasting is waiting. It’s a powerful tool to move from being just an author on a shelf to a trusted voice in a reader’s ears.
A huge thank you to Joanna Penn for having such an insightful show and to Matty Dalrymple for sharing such actionable advice. I, for one, am off to refine my media kit and start listening to podcasts with a much more strategic ear!
Want to go deeper? You can find Matty Dalrymple at MattyDalrymple.com and TheIndyAuthor.com. Her book, The Podcast Guest Playbook, co-written with Mark Lefebvre, is an essential guide for any author ready to harness the power of podcasting.
— Neeti Keswani
For Entrepreneurs: Pitch Your Story to Podcasts - Attract Clients & Build Trust
On the 5th day, you get to know about Pitching your story to one podcast or media outlet.
Media Pitching Strategy: How Entrepreneurs Use Authentic Storytelling to Get Featured on Podcasts, Build Credibility, and Attract High-Value Clients While Overcoming Visibility Fear
In today's crowded digital landscape, media features have become the ultimate credibility boost for entrepreneurs and coaches. While social media algorithms change constantly, podcast features and media placements deliver lasting authority and targeted visibility.
Yet many talented business owners hesitate to pitch their stories because:
"What if I'm not ready for prime time?"
"What if my story isn't compelling enough?"
"What if I get rejected by producers?"
These fears cause missed opportunities for massive visibility and growth.
Here's what media producers actually want: authentic stories of transformation, not perfection. They're looking for real entrepreneurs with relatable struggles and meaningful solutions.
When you pitch your story to podcasts or media outlets, you're not just seeking exposure - you're:
✅ Establishing instant authority and trust
✅ Reaching perfectly targeted audiences
✅ Creating evergreen content that keeps working for you
✅ Building relationships that lead to recurring features
In this guide, you'll learn how to craft a compelling pitch that gets noticed - even if you've never approached media before.
Plus, discover how Ho'oponopono can help you release the fear of rejection and visibility that might be holding you back from sharing your story with larger audiences.
Ready to transform media features into your most powerful credibility tool?
Let's begin.
Introduction: Why Your Personal Story Is Your #1 Business Asset in Today's Digital World
Are you struggling with pitching anxiety and fear of rejection when reaching out to podcasts? You're not alone. Most entrepreneurs experience visibility fear when considering media appearances, but here's the truth: your authentic story is your most powerful weapon for business growth and client attraction.
In today's crowded digital landscape, podcast pitching has become one of the most effective ways to:
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Build instant credibility
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Overcome imposter syndrome
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Attract ideal clients who resonate with your journey
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Establish authority in your industry
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Create authentic connections that convert
👉 Real Example: Meet Priya, a business coach who struggled with visibility anxiety until she applied Ho'oponopono techniques and landed her first podcast feature. The result? 3 high-value clients and 400+ new followers in 30 days.
Q1: Why Should Entrepreneurs Pitch Their Personal Story to Overcome Anxiety and Attract Clients?
Podcast appearances offer more than just exposure—they provide anxiety relief through authentic storytelling. When you share your genuine struggles and breakthroughs, you:
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Build trust faster than any advertisement
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Demonstrate vulnerability that resonates with listeners
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Create emotional connections that lead to client conversions
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Establish expertise without sounding salesy
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Overcome visibility fear through gradual exposure
Case Study: Raj, a startup founder, used mindset healing techniques before pitching. His authentic story about overcoming failure led to:
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5 podcast features in 2 months
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23 qualified leads
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3 corporate speaking invitations
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40% increase in social media engagement
Q2: How Can Ho'oponopono Help Overcome Pitch Anxiety and Fear of Rejection?
Ho'oponopono, the ancient Hawaiian practice of reconciliation, offers powerful anxiety relief for entrepreneurs struggling with pitching anxiety. The 4-step process helps:
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Release limiting beliefs about your worthiness
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Clear emotional blocks related to rejection
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Create mental space for confident pitching
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Develop resilience against criticism
Daily Practice for Pitch Anxiety:
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"I'm sorry for doubting my story's value"
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"Please forgive my fear of rejection"
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"Thank you for these growth opportunities"
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"I love connecting through authentic storytelling"
🔹 Pro Tip: Practice this while visualizing successful podcast interviews for added anxiety relief.
Q3: What's the Perfect Pitch Formula for Anxiety-Free Media Pitching?
Craft pitches that showcase authentic storytelling while addressing listener anxiety and solutions:
5-Part Pitch Framework:
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Hook with shared struggle (mention audience anxiety points)
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Your transformation story (how you overcame similar challenges)
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Practical value (actionable tips for listeners)
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Credibility proof (brief results or client success)
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Clear next steps (suggest specific interview topics)
Example Pitch Snippet:
*"Your listeners struggling with pitching anxiety might appreciate how I transformed from fearing rejection to landing 15+ podcast features using mindset healing techniques... I can share exactly how to use authentic storytelling to attract ideal clients without sounding salesy."*
Q4: How to Repurpose Podcast Content for Maximum Anxiety Relief and Client Attraction?
Don't let your interview gather dust! Repurpose content to help others overcome visibility fear:
Content Repurposing Strategy:
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Create anxiety-relief social content:
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Short clips addressing common fears
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Quote graphics with mindset shifts
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Behind-the-scenes pitching tips
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Develop lead magnets:
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"5-Day Pitch Anxiety Challenge"
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"Rejection Proof Mindset Guide"
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Free Ho'oponopono meditation for confidence
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Boost credibility:
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Add "As featured on..." to website
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Share testimonials from listeners
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Create case studies from generated leads
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Q5: How to Measure Podcast Success Beyond Downloads?
Track these anxiety-to-conversion metrics:
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Visibility Impact:
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Website traffic from podcast links
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Social media followers gained
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Brand mention increases
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Client Conversion:
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Leads mentioning the podcast
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Conversion rates from podcast audience
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Quality of connections made
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Personal Growth:
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Reduction in pitching anxiety
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Increased confidence in storytelling
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Improvement in communication skills
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Conclusion: Transform Anxiety into Authority Through Authentic Storytelling
Your visibility fear and pitching anxiety are not obstacles—they're proof you're sharing something meaningful. By combining authentic storytelling with Ho'oponopono practices, you can:
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Transform anxiety into compelling stories
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Attract clients who value authenticity
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Build a brand based on genuine connection
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Create opportunities through strategic visibility
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Achieve business growth through purposeful pitching
Your next step: Choose one podcast that aligns with your ideal client's struggles. Craft a pitch focusing on how you help overcome specific anxieties. Remember: Your story matters, your solution helps, and your voice deserves to be heard.
About Neeti Keswani: Transforming Visibility Fear into Authentic Influence
Neeti Keswani is the host of Luxury Unplugged Podcast, where she helps entrepreneurs overcome pitching anxiety and visibility fear through authentic storytelling and mindset healing techniques. Her approach combines practical pitching strategies with Ho'oponopono practices for sustainable business growth.
Connect for More Anxiety Relief & Pitching Tips:
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