Sourcing podcast guests is time-consuming—and most companies don’t even know where to begin. Relying on cold outreach or waiting for referrals wastes valuable time and leaves you scrambling for guests. The best podcast guests help you build authority, unlock new audiences, and create content worth sharing.
Curated guest selection shapes every episode and sets your show apart in a crowded podcast search. With a clear process, you can connect with founders, operators, and subject matter experts who match your audience needs and business goals.
Define the Podcast Guest Criteria
Before you even think about sending your first invite, take a step back and define the purpose of your show and the audience you’re speaking to.
Is your podcast focused on surfacing tactical, in-the-trenches advice? Or are you seeking high-level strategic insights from senior leaders? Are you targeting a specific industry niche or trying to broaden your reach within a category? Do you want to highlight customers, subject matter experts, or emerging voices?
The clearer you are on your audience and the business objective of the podcast, the easier it becomes to filter potential guests. Build a guest profile checklist aligned to your show’s theme, business goals, and value proposition. For some shows, this checklist might be tight and specific—only featuring founders in AI startups, for example. For others, a broader lens might work better, inviting a range of roles within an industry to provide diverse angles and stories.
Checklist Example
Here’s an example of a checklist:
Industries: Industrial manufacturing, food manufacturing, pharmaceutical producer
Title: CEO, COO, CTO, Chief Manufacturing Officer, VP of Manufacturing/Engineering/Production
Years of Experience: 5+
Step 1: Start with Your Existing Network
Starting with your own network gives you a shortcut to early podcast guest wins. Friendlies—colleagues, clients, and familiar collaborators—offer a low-pressure way to refine your process and build momentum.
Why Friendlies Make the Best First Podcast Guests
You skip the awkward introductions and jump straight into great conversations. The pressure drops, so you focus on learning what works instead of worrying about perfection. These early episodes give you space to test your interview style, experiment with your format, and iron out technical hiccups before you scale up.
Early guests also invest in your success. They are more likely to say yes and more willing to promote the episode once it goes live. Their networks expand your show’s reach and set the tone for future guests.
Step 2: Use LinkedIn, Events, and Speaker Lists
Once you’ve tapped your personal network, it’s time to grow your roster by finding fresh voices who bring new perspectives and credibility. Here are three reliable places to look:
1. Find Engaged Experts on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is the most powerful tool for podcast guest discovery. Use it to identify people who are already sharing ideas, leading conversations, and demonstrating expertise in your niche.
Start with keyword and role-based searches that align with your guest criteria. Look for individuals posting original insights, commenting thoughtfully on industry trends, or sharing content that resonates with your audience.
2. Leverage Industry Events
Industry conferences, networking events, and meetups are rich with potential guests. If someone makes a strong impression in a session, on a panel, or during a conversation over coffee, that’s a natural cue they may be a great fit for your podcast.
A quick follow-up after the event—especially while the conversation is still fresh—can turn a casual interaction into a compelling podcast interview. Plus, your shared event experience makes outreach feel personal and relevant.
3. Use Speaker Lineups from Events
Even if you’re not attending, event speaker lists are a goldmine. Most conferences publish speakers and session topics online—making it easy to spot guests who align with your podcast’s theme.
Reach out before or after the event and mention their topic. It’s a win-win: they get extra visibility, and you get a timely, relevant guest who’s already prepared to share insights.
Step 3: Personalize Your Message
A copy-paste message stands out for all the wrong reasons. If you want a busy founder, operator, or subject matter expert to reply, start with a message that shows you actually care.
Reference What Matters
Mention a recent LinkedIn post, article, podcast appearance, or event where the guest shared something valuable. Personalizing your opening line lets them know you’ve done your research.
State why you believe their expertise or story fits your show and how it will benefit your listeners. Avoid vague requests or empty flattery.
Here’s the outreach template that booked eight guests in just 24 hours:
Hi [NAME]—I came across your work in [EXPERTISE] and was really impressed. I host [SHOW NAME], a podcast where we talk about [EXPLANATION].
I’d love to have you on as a guest to share your insights—think it’d be a great conversation!
You can learn more about the show here: [LINK]
Bonus Tip: Scale Podcast Guest Booking with Tools and Automation
Get a few podcast guest bookings under your belt before you scale your outreach. Once you know what works, you can use tools to fill your pipeline without losing the personal touch.
Tools for Bulk Outreach and Personalization
Platforms like HeyReach, PodMatch, and MatchMaker enable you to reach hundreds of prospects quickly. HeyReach lets you upload targeted podcast guest lists and send outreach at scale. PodMatch and MatchMaker connect you with relevant podcast guests by filtering for role, industry, and recent activity.
AI-driven personalization is critical when scaling. Use AI to reference each guest’s role, company, or a recent LinkedIn post. This keeps messages specific to each recipient and avoids generic copy-paste invites that get ignored.
Building and Maintaining a Guest Pipeline
Consistency drives results. Set aside weekly time to add new prospects, track responses, and send follow-ups. Maintain a living guest pipeline, update contact statuses, and review which outreach methods have the highest conversion.
Automation should never replace human connection. The right system helps you scale podcast guest booking while maintaining the high standards that set your show apart.
Get Expert Help to Build Your Podcast Guest Pipeline
You want a steady stream of high-impact podcast guests, but finding and booking them can slow your team down. Motion partners with B2B marketing teams to build a repeatable podcast guest booking process that actually delivers results. We create systems that automate outreach, keep your pipeline full, and make each episode easier to produce.
Skip the trial and error. Our approach helps you define the right guest profiles, personalize messaging, and scale your process without losing quality.
Ready to level up your podcast guest booking? Connect with us for a tailored strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Podcast Guests
How can I find and book high-quality guests for my podcast?
Start with colleagues, clients, and industry friends who know your audience and goals. Once you have a few episodes, expand by searching LinkedIn, reaching out to event speakers, and using podcast guest directories like PodMatch or MatchMaker. Clear outreach and a focused pitch get faster results than waiting for introductions.
What are the best platforms or directories to connect with podcast guests?
The most effective platforms include PodMatch, MatchMaker, and PodcastGuests.com. These tools let you filter by expertise, industry, and availability. You can also scan LinkedIn for thought leaders who share content that fits your podcast theme.
How do I approach and invite someone to be a guest on my podcast?
Personalize your message. Reference something recent they posted or spoke about, then share why their experience fits your audience. Keep it casual, direct, and clear.
How can I become a guest on other podcasts to grow my audience?
Share your expertise on LinkedIn and pitch shows aligned with your experience. Podcast directories also list potential guests.
What makes a great podcast guest and how do you vet them for your show?
Great guests combine subject matter expertise, clear storytelling, and audience fit. Listen to previous interviews, review their content, and check alignment with your show’s goals.
