Podcast Appearances for Musicians
How to get booked on podcasts and use appearances to grow your audience.
Why Podcasts Convert
Podcasts reach engaged listeners during commutes, workouts, and commutes. When a host vouches for you, listeners trust you instantly. Podcast audiences convert to fans at much higher rates than social media because the relationship between listener and host is built on trust.
A single 30-minute appearance can deliver 10x the impact of 100 social posts. Podcast listeners are quality over quantity.
Finding Relevant Shows
Research podcasts in your genre and adjacent spaces:
- Music-focused: artist interviews, music production, music marketing
- Adjacent: entrepreneurship, creativity, indie business (these audiences often overlap with independent artists)
- Local: podcasts in your city or region
Use Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podchaser to find shows. Check their listener counts and episode frequency to gauge activity. Read reviews and listen to a few episodes to ensure fit.
Create a spreadsheet of 20โ30 target shows ranked by relevance and audience size.
Pitching Yourself as a Guest
Most podcasters use a contact form or email on their website. Craft a short, specific pitch:
- Subject: "Guest pitch: [Your name], [your music style]"
- Hook with your unique angle: recent release, tour story, unusual backstory
- Keep it under 5 sentences. Include a link to your best song and a short bio.
- Make it easy: attach a 2โ3 sentence host intro they can read live.
Follow up once if you don't hear back within two weeks. Podcasters are busy. Persistence matters.
Converting Listeners to Fans
Before and after your appearance, drive listeners to take action:
- Before: Mention the episode on your socials. Build anticipation.
- During: Give listeners a reason to follow up. A free download, a link to your mailing list, or a discount code.
- After: Release a clip from the episode. Thank the host publicly. Share the full episode link everywhere.
Include your website and email signup in the show notes. Make it a seamless funnel from podcast listener to email subscriber.