Blog Post
Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Create Content and Grow Your Audience by Podcasting
Darlene Hawley
It seems like everyone (including yours truly) is starting a podcast or looking to be featured, and it’s a great way to share your story, get in front of other audiences and get known as an expert in your niche quickly.
One of my favorite ways to create content and grow my audience is through Podcasting.
Podcasting is huge right now.
It seems like everyone (including yours truly) is starting one or looking to be featured, and it’s a great way to share your story, get in front of other audiences and get known as an expert in your niche quickly.
I was sharing with one of my 1:1 clients last week about ways to get featured on Podcasts and I thought I would share it with you too.
Start by Tracking
Create a google doc or spreadsheet to track all of the podcasts you want to reach out to. Write down the show name, hosts name, contact info, and date of when you sent the pitch and a follow-up tab so you can stay organized.
This has been a game-changer for me and has helped keep me organized so that I know who I’ve reached out to already or what shows I need to focus on in the coming weeks.
Determine what parts of your story you want to share.
Before you start sending emails and sharing why you would be a great guest on a show I highly encourage you to sit down and determine what story you want to share as the expert guest, what tips you can share that will be valuable to the host and their audience, and what you would want to offer the audience as a free gift if that host allows you too.
Do Market Research.
Now it’s time to do some market research and determine what shows would be a good fit for the message you want to share and determine if your ideal client is listening to their show. Here are a few ways to find Podcasts to be featured on:
- Start with people you know that have a podcast and ask them about being a guest.
- Reach out to people in groups that you showing up and engaging in and see if anyone has a show or knows anyone looking for guests.
- Ask your ideal client what podcasts they listen to, and then pitch those shows.
- Use Google/Pinterest and type in the word “podcast” and any keywords that make sense for your type of business and write down any that show up.
- Look at what other shows people you follow are being interviewed on.
- Join podcast groups and start building relationships with podcasters
The Pitch.
Now that you’ve created your tracking sheet and done the research it’s time to pitch yourself to the show by sending them an email. Before you send an email to pitch yourself ask yourself these questions:
• Is my ideal client listening to this type of show?
• What value can I add to the host?
I find it helpful to listen to at least a little bit of a podcast before I email them to make sure I can answer the questions above to make sure I feel like it’s a good fit for me and the host.
Know your goals.
Set a monthly goal for how many Podcasts you want to be featured on and then set a weekly goal for how many shows you want to pitch yourself on. Remember you won't be invited on as a guest to every show you reach out to. I give myself a goal of sending 5 podcast pitches a week. Set a goal that feels good to you and make sure you plan time in your schedule to do this. It typically takes me 1-2 hours to send my 5 emails a week with the research and writing time and I plug this into my Thursday schedule.
Follow up.
Once you send your email, remember you’re not done.
Now it’s time to follow up. Send an email a week later letting them know that you're still interested and that you know their busy but you wanted to stay in touch. Remember the key to a successful business is through following up, nurturing the relationship and adding value to other people's lives.
Do you want to be featured on a Podcast? Let me know what you're goal is and I'll help get you going in the right direction.
Want to get your feet wet? Apply to be on my new podcast and give it a shot.
I offer 1:1 Executive Leadership & Business Coaching & Team Trainings! If you would like to explore what working together would look like, I invite you to submit an application.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
Struggling with imposter syndrome even after years of success? Discover how leaders, executives, and entrepreneurs overcome self-doubt and confidently share their expertise, personal brand, and client results. In this post, learn proven strategies to showcase your achievements without feeling like you’re bragging, transform testimonials into credibility boosters, and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your industry. By embracing your unique value, you’ll strengthen your personal brand, inspire trust, and drive sustainable business growth—proving that your “big brain” belongs front and center in your leadership journey.
How Practicing Gratitude Can Recharge Leaders and Strengthen Business Connections
Struggling with poor workplace communication? Discover actionable strategies to improve clarity, confidence, and listening at our holiday-themed Leadership Roundtable for HR leaders and executives.
In this blog, we address practical strategies for overcoming nerves when speaking to senior or higher-titled audiences. Learn how to conquer imposter syndrome and boost your public speaking confidence when presenting to executives or experienced professionals. We explore common challenges, such as feeling unprepared, facing self-doubt, and managing industry jargon, and provide actionable tips to help you speak with authority, command respect, and leave a powerful impression. Ideal for women entrepreneurs, leaders, and emerging speakers looking to communicate confidently with high-level audiences.
Join Darlene Hawley in Episode 104 of the Attract and Stand Out podcast, featuring Brenda Barbour, co-host of the Body Wealth Podcast. In this episode, they discuss the power of storytelling in health advocacy, overcoming personal health challenges, and practical self-care strategies. Discover how Brenda's inspiring journey and community-focused approach support Black women’s mental and physical well-being. Learn tips for finding your health flow, setting boundaries, and taking action toward well-being. Tune in for an episode filled with resilience, inspiration, and actionable insights for a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Learn how to handle tough criticism with confidence and turn feedback into a tool for growth. In this blog, we share practical strategies for embracing constructive criticism, separating your work from your worth, and building a growth mindset to strengthen your leadership skills. Discover how to respond thoughtfully to feedback and use it as a stepping stone to success.
Master Strategies for Staying Calm, Confident, and In Control When Facing Tough or Unexpected Questions in Business Meetings and Presentations
Learn practical strategies to overcome the fear of speaking up in high-stakes meetings and presentations. Discover how to manage public speaking anxiety, build confidence, and make a lasting impact with your voice in important professional situations
Unlock your flow state on demand with expert Diane Allen in this podcast episode, where we reveal top strategies for boosting productivity, overcoming creative blocks, and stepping into authentic leadership effortlessly.
