Get Your Dream Podcast Guests to Say YES

Have you ever wondered what it takes to get your dream podcast guest to say yes? Even if you don't have a big following, this guide will show you how.

I’ll share the steps I used to land guests like Ben Greenfield and Noah Kagan on my first podcast. And this was before I even reached 100 episodes.

I’ve also helped clients do the same. One client, a retired police officer from Wisconsin, secured a guest from the History Channel within his first few episodes.

Starting from Zero? No Problem

If you're starting without a following or credibility, but you believe in your show’s concept, this guide is for you. Here’s also a free guest booking template to get you started.

Who Is Your Dream Guest?

Create a list of guests who could change the game for your podcast. You don’t need hundreds of names—3 to 20 can be powerful.

Categorize them by difficulty. Some guests may require more effort to book, but their “yes” could transform your show.

What Big Guests Look For

High-profile guests often have benchmarks. Ali Abdaal and Noah Kagan have shared that they consider shows with 50 to 100 episodes.

These metrics show commitment. Most podcasts don’t make it past episodes three or seven, so big guests are cautious.

If you don’t have many episodes or a big following yet, don’t worry. The strategy for you is webworking.

The Power of Webworking

Webworking is connecting with people who lead to your dream guest. When I started my first podcast at 22, I used this method.

I interviewed lesser-known athletes and respected coaches. This led to landing the fittest man at the CrossFit Games—before hitting 10 episodes.

Associations are key. High-profile guests are more likely to say yes when they see peers or competitors have done the same.

Perfecting Your Outreach Script

Your outreach script is crucial. I’ve booked guests with two-sentence DMs that led to detailed email exchanges.

Start with a strong opening. Don’t waste time introducing yourself. Lead with genuine admiration for their work.

Mention specifics like, “I’ve consumed over 100 hours of your content since 2015.”

If you can reference specific impact their work has had on you, they can feel it somehow.

This shows authenticity and sets you apart when most people just say they are big fans.

Provide relevant examples. Tailor your message to the guest’s background. Mention past guests who align with their field.

Building Credibility Through Associations

As you accumulate more episodes, your pitches will get stronger. Mentioning five or six notable guests creates a sense of urgency.

People want to be where their peers are. This generates FOMO and increases your chances of getting a “yes.”

Don’t Let Follower Counts Fool You

I once had a guest with 350,000+ followers who didn’t drive much traffic. But a guest with 49,000 followers brought 10,000 downloads overnight.

Quality trumps quantity. Look for guests who deeply resonate with their audience.

The Follow-Up: Your Secret Weapon

Following up is essential. One of my most pivotal episodes came from persistent follow-ups over months.

Don’t assume silence means disinterest. High-profile guests are busy, and follow-ups can keep your pitch top of mind.

Space out your follow-ups. Send your first follow-up a few days after the initial pitch. Continue every 7 to 14 days.

The goal is to reach a decision, not just a yes. Some guests may be booked out months in advance.

Should You Pay for Guests?

Paying for guests is an option. Brands like Whoop have secured big names as part of broader sponsorship deals. I don’t know the details but my assumption is that there are media appearances in their contract or they are willing to do it for the relationship.

However, this strategy may not be practical for most new podcasters. It’s something to consider down the road.

Believe in Your Show’s Value

Doubts can creep in, making you question why someone would come on your show. Combat this by crafting thoughtful, compelling questions.

Guests appreciate when you’ve done your homework. Include your best questions in your pitch to show you’re prepared.

Ready to Get Started?

Download my free guest booking template to get started. Adapt it, personalize it, and reach out with confidence.

Persistence and authenticity are your best tools. When you land that dream guest, come back and share your story.