The Art of Guest Podcasting: Leveraging Appearances to Grow Your Brand in 2025The Art of Guest Podcasting: Leveraging Appearances to Grow Your Brand in 2025

If you’re looking to expand brand recognition and reach new audiences in 2025, guest starring on industry podcasts is a great place to start. Not only is it easy to apply for most podcasts, but it’s an excellent way to get comfortable speaking in a low-pressure setting.  

For those who aspire to take the stage and become an educator, podcasting offers a chance to get your feet wet, build your reputation as an expert, and develop confidence as a thought leader. 

Even if you don’t dream of being a keynote at a major conference, guest podcasting still has plenty of value for your business. From increasing brand awareness to establishing meaningful relationships with podcast hosts (who are often industry leaders), there’s so much to gain by offering a bit of your time and knowledge to the public. 

But maximizing your podcasting strategy isn’t just about pitching to top shows. It’s just as important to show up and be the best guest you can be, so your episodes perform well, and you leave hosts with a positive experience after your interview. 

So, once you’ve landed a few guest spots, here’s how to make the most of your appearances to win over the hosts and the listeners. 

Do your research 

The worst thing you can do is show up for a podcast interview unprepared. While you might feel confident improvising about the topic you chose, there’s more to a winning episode than getting on a soapbox to lecture about kitchen etiquette or culinary trends.  

You also need to get familiar with the podcast itself. Tune into a few of the top episodes and take note of the structure, flow, and tone. How long can you expect to discuss your topic? Are there certain questions that are asked every episode that you can prepare to answer? Doing a bit of prep work will have you feeling more confident when it’s time to go on air. 

Sort out your tech 

You can’t record a podcast without proper equipment, so make sure you have everything you need well in advance. Then, do a trial run to ensure it all runs smoothly. If you’re new to podcasting, don’t worry about all the fancy peripherals. All you need to succeed is a good pair of headphones and a standalone microphone, which is an investment if you intend to continue pitching to podcasts (or even starting your own!). 

Before your podcast interview, record yourself several times in your office or studio and listen to the audio. Is there distracting background noise? Does your voice sound muffled or crackly? Test your tech several days before so you have plenty of time to troubleshoot or purchase new equipment if needed. 

If your podcast interview involves a video component, make sure your webcam is set up in an appropriate location. Check your lighting to ensure you’re well-lit without getting washed out or creating a glare. Tidy up your background and style it as you see fit. Consider adding awards, industry-related books, decor in your brand colors, or anything with your logo for an extra special touch. 

Prepare your content (but not too much) 

While you don’t want to feel unprepared for an interview, you also don’t want to come across as a robot reciting a script. Avoid over-rehearsing, but do jot down several key talking points you want to cover throughout your discussion. Most of the time, you’ll play off of the podcast host’s questions for a conversational approach, but having a few notes on hand will help you stay on topic and hit the most important points. 

If the host sends questions in advance, take some time to review them and consider how you’ll respond. Again, don’t try to memorize your answers verbatim. Instead, come up with ideas for how you can respond and add valuable takeaways to each answer. 

Show up early 

Don’t leave your setup to the last minute! Give yourself half an hour to prepare your space, get comfortable, brew a cup of tea, and settle in. In most cases, you’ll have a link to access the recording software. Try and enter five to ten minutes early to ensure everything is working and touch base with the host before they start recording. This is a good time to ask questions, clarify talking points, and warm up your vocal cords. 

Stay on top of post-recording to-dos 

Once you’ve wrapped up your interview, take a moment to send an email to the host to thank them for their time and opportunity. A bit of appreciation goes a long way, and great guests are sometimes invited to come back to the podcast to discuss other topics! 

You should get notified when your podcast episode goes live, at which point it’s time to promote your episode to your audience. If the host has provided you with graphics and/or swipe copy, use what they’ve given you to maintain their show’s brand consistency. Otherwise, use design software like Canva to create your own and share it on social media. You may also consider adding the show’s logo to your website if you have a press portfolio or an “As seen on” section on your home page. 

While not always required, it’s also a best practice to leave a five-star review for every podcast you’re on. Ratings help listeners find relevant content, so your contribution will help boost their show and drive people to tune into your episode. 

Podcast features can be low-hanging fruit to build your press portfolio and ease into public speaking, but that doesn’t mean they don’t require intention and effort! With the right approach, you can become a popular guest on the podcast circuit—but you must put thought into each appearance and leave the audience (and hosts) wanting more!