How to Confidently Pitch (and Get Accepted) On Podcasts: The Step-By-Step Process With Podcast Publicity Expert Alice Draper

Ready for PR to raise your visibility and authority in your field? Podcasts are one of the best ways to get in front of other audiences to share your message and expertise.

If you're new to podcast publicity, this episode will share the exact process for getting your pitches accepted. Podcast publicity expert Alice Draper, founder of Hustinling Writers, details her best tips and brilliant ideas for handling rejection and follow-ups.
 
Plus, get her strategies to find the perfect-fit podcasts to start pitching.

LINKS
Connect with Alice Draper on LinkedIn
HustlingWriters

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Hi, I'm Michelle B Griffin. I write, speak, and teach women experts how to position themselves as the go-to authority in their fields so they can expand their reach, grow their businesses, and become industry thought leaders.

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Transcript

Podcast Transcript

Michelle B. Griffin: Welcome back, everybody, to this week's episode. I'm your host, Michelle B. Griffin. Today, we're diving into a topic close to my heart—visibility. I'm thrilled to introduce Alice Draper, a champion for underserved entrepreneurs and experts in the PR realm. Alice, welcome to the show!

Alice Draper: Thank you, Michelle! I'm really excited to be here. Thanks for having me, especially so late on my side of the world!

Michelle B. Griffin: We appreciate your time and expertise, Alice. For those new to you, could you share a bit about what you do and what Hustling Writers is all about?

Alice Draper: Absolutely. I pivoted from journalism to PR four years ago, after realizing I could leverage my pitching skills to help entrepreneurs gain visibility. At Hustling Writers, we're on a mission to make publicity accessible for underrecognized entrepreneurs. I've helped clients appear on over 500 top podcasts and written for major outlets like Vice and HuffPost. The connections made through podcasts, whether big or niche, often bring the right audience and potential collaborative opportunities, which I love.

Michelle B. Griffin: That's fascinating. Speaking of getting on podcasts, it often starts with a pitch. I've been fortunate to be invited to many, but with my book coming out, I’m gearing up for a pitching campaign. I know you're a pro at crafting effective pitches. Could you share some insights on starting a pitch and handling rejection?

Alice Draper: Starting with a template is fine, Michelle. The key elements include showing familiarity with the podcast, presenting a compelling story relevant to the audience, and introducing yourself credibly. Include links to past work for easy access. Rejection, though inevitable, shouldn't deter you. It's often not about you but factors like timing or topic overlap. Developing a rejection resilience muscle is crucial in business and life.

Michelle B. Griffin: That's a powerful mindset. Tell us more about handling rejections.

Alice Draper: Embracing rejections can be transformative. I learned this from a Facebook group of writers who celebrated rejections as milestones. This mindset shift helps focus on the process over perfection, improving your pitching skills and opening unexpected opportunities.

Michelle B. Griffin: Incredible perspective. Now, for those ready to start pitching, what’s the process you recommend for getting those initial 'yeses'?

Alice Draper: Start small. If you lack social proof, pitch to smaller podcasts to build a portfolio of interviews. This scaffolding technique helps build credibility. Also, consider platforms like LinkedIn Live for real-time interviews, adding to your proof of capability.

Michelle B. Griffin: Once someone has some experience, how should they find the right podcasts that fit their expertise?

Alice Draper: Research industry peers who are steps ahead but not too far out of reach. Use tools like Apple Podcasts or Spotify to discover where they've appeared and target similar podcasts. This focused approach helps find shows that match your audience and expertise.

Michelle B. Griffin: And once you've identified potential podcasts, what’s next?

Alice Draper: It’s crucial to follow up effectively. Send a gentle reminder a week after your initial pitch, then another a week later if needed. Most positive responses come from follow-ups. It’s about persistence without being pushy.

Michelle B. Griffin: Alice, this has been immensely helpful. Before we wrap up, could you share one actionable tip for our listeners to start putting themselves out there with podcast pitching?

Alice Draper: Start with a spreadsheet to track your pitches. This helps you stay organized and focused, ensuring you follow through on each opportunity. Whether it’s pitching podcasts or any other endeavor, keeping track of your actions can significantly increase your chances of success.

Michelle B. Griffin: Thank you, Alice, for sharing your expertise and for your commitment to helping underrepresented entrepreneurs. It's been enlightening!

Alice Draper: Thank you for having me, Michelle. It’s been a pleasure!

Michelle B. Griffin: Alright, everybody. Keep putting yourself out there. You have a brand to build, a message to share, and people to impact. Catch you next week. Take care!