Lesson 6: Booking Guests
Booking great podcast guests without the hassle
Hey Besties!
We’re officially on Lesson 6 of Podcast Curious to Podcast Pro in Just Six Months! That means we've wrapped up Part 1: Foundations of Podcasting and are now moving on to Part 2: Pre-Production & Planning. We’re on the fast track to becoming seasoned podcasters, whether we’re launching our first show or fine-tuning our workflows for maximum impact.
Missed a step? No worries! You can catch up on all the previous lessons right here:
Swipe right on better guest booking
Booking guests is one aspect of podcasting that can sometimes feel like Hinge. Hopefully with a little less ghosting. Whether you’re in pursuit of your dream guests, trying to streamline your scheduling process, or dealing with those inevitable no-shows, I’ve got you covered.
Where to find relevant guests
Not sure where to start? Here are some fantastic places to discover guests for your show:
Weak ties: Acquaintance-level contacts can be surprisingly useful for guest booking. Who do you already know with niche expertise who you would love to learn from or laugh with?
Your network: Reach out to family, friends, and colleagues for guest suggestions. Leveraging friends of friends has been super helpful for booking Private Parts Unknown travel episodes.
Ask your past guests for recommendations: They likely know others who would be a great match for your podcast.
Ask your audience: Poll your listeners or ask who they’d love to hear on your show! Sometimes, they'll even tag their dream guest on social media and start the conversation for you.
Social media: Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, TikTok, and beyond—make good use of your scroll time and come up with a process for cataloging potential guests! I recommend using the “save” feature and also sending yourself a quick email with their info so it doesn’t get lost. Many PR-friendly people list their email addresses on their Instagram profiles, which makes outreach a cinch.
Industry events & conferences: Check out speaker lineups to discover experts in your niche.
Authors: Search for recent or upcoming book releases that align with your topics. Authors in promo mode are prime targets—you might snag someone who would otherwise be out of reach.
Product sellers: Much like authors with a new book, anyone launching a new product will likely be eager to do an interview.
Guest directories & marketplaces: Websites like MatchMaker.fm and PodcastGuests.com are designed to make guest booking easier, though I’ve personally only booked a couple of guests through these platforms.
Other podcasters: Identify potential collaborations within your niche, and check out their archives for popular and/or unique guests who could be ripe for a fresh interview.
YouTubers & bloggers: Look for content creators in your niche who might be interested in collaborating.
Journalists: Reporters covering topics related to your podcast are often open to interviews and full of interesting information and anecdotes—they're an underrated source of podcast guests, IMHO. Muck Rack, LinkedIn, and other social platforms are great tools for tracking down their contact info.
Qwoted & Source of Sources: Both are useful tools for connecting with experts.
Niche-specific listservs: Join an active community related to your podcast topic and put a call out for guests—this has been very fruitful for me.
Scheduling made easy (because no one likes endless email threads)
If booking interviews is consuming too much of your bandwidth, it’s time to invest in a scheduling tool like Calendly (or something similar). It lets guests select a time that works for them based on your availability, cutting out the dreaded “What time zone are you in again?” drama.
Want to make the most of it? Check out my detailed guide for the Descript Creator HQ blog, where I walk you through how to optimize your Calendly setup for easy, breezy podcast booking.
Effective outreach & managing no-shows
Yay, you’ve found the perfect guest! Now what? Here are a few quick tips to boost your booking success rate—and keep things running smoothly:
Personalize your ask: Skip the generic “Hey, wanna be on my podcast?” approach. Instead, mention why they'd be a perfect fit for your show.
Make it easy: Provide all the essential details about the format, length, and topics—plus a direct scheduling link to simplify the booking process. Keep it short and sweet!
Follow up (but not too much): If they don’t reply in a week or two, a gentle nudge is totally fine—just don’t be pushy!
Handle no-shows gracefully: Life happens, and sometimes schedules get crazy. It may take an extra try or two to connect with a busy guest. Have a content runway or backup plan (like a solo episode or repurposed content) in place so you’re not left scrambling if things fall through.
Pitch your dream guests (and don’t be afraid to try again): Got a dream guest list? Go ahead and shoot your shot—but be strategic about it. If you don’t hear back, set a reminder to follow up in six months or a year. People’s availability, visibility, and openness to interviews can shift with new projects or seasons in their careers. Keep the ask warm and gracious, and don’t be salty if they say no or ignore your email—you never know when the timing will be right.
Build relationships over time: Engage with your dream guests on social media, comment on their work, or share their content. These soft touches can make a cold pitch feel a little warmer when the time comes.
Guest booking can be challenging, but with the right tools, a little persistence, and a solid backup plan, you’ll be ready for anything. Keep showing up, and the right guests will too.
I’m teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in:
How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought
Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast
Start a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business
So… ROLL CALL! 🗣
Who’s been your favorite podcast guest so far? And what’s your best booking hack? Comment below and let me know—I’d love to feature some community tips in a future edition!