So, you started a podcast and now you want to interview the biggest names in business, right? Of course, you do! Getting big celebrities on your podcast builds your credibility, increases downloads, gives you the opportunity to talk one on one with someone you wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to connect with, and it positions you as a celebrity by association.
I book guest interviews on a lot of different podcasts. I have had the pleasure of connecting my clients with celebrity guest expert interviews like Jon Taffer, host of Bar Rescue, Stacey Poon-Kinney and starred in an episode of Restaurant Impossible, Jeff Olson, author of The Slight Edge, and Amy Porterfield, Facebook marketing expert.
Here are a couple of tips I have for appealing to celebrity guest experts who do not say ‘yes’ to everyone who asks for an interview.
1. Tell them your download numbers. If your download stats are very high and you like to show them off, this probably isn’t hard for you. Celebrity guest experts are approached for interviews all the time and cannot say yes to everyone so, they ask, or their publicist needs to know how many people are going to hear this interview? If only 100 people listen to every episode it’s probably not worth their time. But if you say right up front that you have impressive download numbers and tell them what those stats are, you’re more likely to get a yes.
If you don’t want to share download numbers, or perhaps you haven’t launched yet so you have no download numbers, tell them how big your list is. By telling someone that you have a list of, say 40k entrepreneurs, that is also very appealing knowing that you will be promoting the interview to a lot of potential listeners. I am using this strategy with a current client who has not yet launched.
2. The power of association. Who else have you interviewed? If you have interviewed guests who the celebrity guest expert may also know, find that common ground. Again, this builds your credibility and assures them you are someone worth spending time with during an interview.
3. Keep it short. When you call or email the guest, don’t write a novel and tell them your life story. They will likely scan the email or read the first couple sentences before making a decision of whether or not to take action.
4. Make it easy to schedule. Use a service like ScheduleOnce to schedule the interview so the process is as convenient as possible.
5. Offer a shorter interview. Several of the bigger celebrities I have booked will not do a 30 or 60-minute interview. Much of the time they are calling in from a car while on the road or in back to back appointments. By offering a 15-20 minute spot, they are more likely to say yes, and trust me, it won’t hurt you at all to air a shorter interview especially if the guest is very well known. You can always record a slightly longer intro after the interview and add a solo segment to your episode as well to make it a full 30-minute episode.
6. Make sure your web presence is impressive. These guests will check you out before committing to an interview. Make sure your website communicates that you are established and professional. A big following on social media helps, though it’s not always a deal breaker.
Remember, celebrity guests are very exciting and can offer great value, expertise and experience to an interview. But a lot of podcasters make the mistake of obsessing over celebrities and forget that lesser known entrepreneurs can often resonate with listeners more.
7. Emphasize Promotional Opportunities. When reaching out to celebrities for your podcast, one of the most compelling factors you can offer is a robust promotional strategy that will maximize the visibility of their appearance. Celebrities often want to ensure that their participation in your podcast will have a meaningful impact. Here’s how you can effectively emphasize promotional opportunities:
a. Multi-Channel Promotion: Outline your plan to promote the episode across various platforms such as social media, podcast directories, and your website. Highlight the different ways in which their episode will be featured, ensuring that their message reaches a wide and diverse audience.
b. Collaborations: If applicable, mention any collaborations you have with other media outlets or influencers. This demonstrates your commitment to cross-promotion and indicates that the celebrity’s appearance will be amplified through various channels.
c. Targeted Audiences: Discuss how you will tailor your promotional efforts to reach the celebrity’s specific target audience. Demonstrating that you have a clear understanding of their fan base and how your podcast aligns with their interests can pique their interest.
d. Metrics and Analytics: If you have a track record of collecting listener data, share some insights about your podcast’s reach, audience demographics, and engagement metrics. This not only showcases your professionalism but also provides concrete evidence of the potential impact of their appearance.
8. Showcase High Production Quality. A key factor in attracting celebrities to your podcast is assuring them of a polished and professional production that reflects positively on both their image and your podcast’s reputation. Here’s how you can effectively showcase your podcast’s high production quality:
a. Sample Episodes: Provide links to previous podcast episodes that demonstrate your production quality. Choose episodes with well-balanced audio, engaging intros, and seamless transitions. Highlight any episodes that garnered positive feedback from listeners or media outlets.
b. Audio Engineering: Briefly describe the steps you take to ensure top-notch audio quality, including sound editing, noise reduction, and mastering. Celebrities want to know that their words will be presented in the best possible way.
c. Scripting and Research: Discuss your approach to research and scripting for interviews. Let them know that you’re committed to thoughtful and well-prepared conversations that showcase their expertise and insights.
d. Guest Experience: Detail the level of support you provide to guests before, during, and after recording. This includes pre-interview briefings, technical guidance, and post-production collaboration.
9. Respect Their Time and Privacy. Celebrities often have incredibly busy schedules, and respecting their time and privacy is essential in establishing a positive relationship. To ensure your communication is respectful and appealing, consider the following:
a. Concise Communication: Craft your initial outreach message in a concise yet impactful manner. Clearly state your purpose, the value of their participation, and what you’re asking for. Avoid unnecessary fluff that might deter busy celebrities from engaging with your request.
b. Flexibility: Express your willingness to accommodate their schedule preferences. Offering different recording times and formats, such as remote interviews or short segments, shows that you’re considerate of their commitments.
c. Follow-Up Timing: If you don’t receive an immediate response, follow up after a reasonable period without appearing pushy. Demonstrating patience and understanding conveys professionalism and respect for their time.
d. Future Opportunities: Even if they decline or don’t respond, leave the door open for future collaborations. Politely express your hope that circumstances align at another time and express your admiration for their work.
10. Offer Meaningful Engagement. Celebrities are more likely to commit to your podcast when they see the potential for an engaging and enriching conversation. To make your podcast episode enticing, consider the following approaches:
a. Interview Format: Outline your podcast’s interview format. Discuss whether it’s a casual conversation, a structured Q&A, or a deep-dive discussion. This gives them a clear idea of how their input will be framed.
b. Relevant Discussion Topics: Provide a list of potential discussion topics that align with their expertise and interests. Show that you’ve done your homework by suggesting subjects that resonate with their current projects or passions.
c. Personal Connection: Share how their personal journey or insights can inspire and resonate with your listeners. Highlight instances where their experiences can provide valuable lessons or perspectives.
d. Interactive Elements: If applicable, mention any interactive elements in your podcast, such as audience questions or live segments. This indicates an engaging and dynamic experience that can be particularly appealing to celebrities who want to connect directly with their fans.
If you would like to learn more about how we can book great guests on your podcast, visit InterviewConnections.com.
