A podcast guest pitch that gets replies is short, specific and about the host's listeners. Keep it under 150 words. Open with a real reference to an episode you heard, say who you are in one line, offer one concrete episode idea with two or three talking points, add one proof link, and close with an easy next step. The four templates below follow that structure. Copy them, then rewrite every bracket for the show you are pitching.
If you are still building your list of shows, start with how to get booked on podcasts first. A great pitch to the wrong show still fails.
What makes a podcast pitch get a reply?
Hosts read pitches quickly and decide in seconds. A reply usually comes when the pitch answers these questions right away:
- Did this person actually listen? One specific detail proves it.
- What is the episode? A working title, not "I could talk about many things."
- Why my listeners? The topic matches who the show serves.
- Can they deliver? A link to a past interview, talk or piece of writing.
- What do I do next? A simple yes or no question.
Everything else is optional. Background, credentials and links to your company can wait until the host asks.
Template 1: The cold pitch
Use this when you have no connection to the host. It is the template you will use most.
Subject: Guest idea: [episode title]
Hi [host first name],
Your episode on [specific topic, from a recent episode] stuck with me,
especially [one specific point the guest or host made].
I'm [your name], [one line on what you do and why it relates].
I'd like to suggest an episode for your listeners:
"[Working episode title]"
- [Talking point 1, a specific story or lesson]
- [Talking point 2, a mistake and what you changed]
- [Talking point 3, something listeners can apply]
Here's a recent conversation so you can hear how I explain things:
[link to past interview, talk or article]
Would this fit an upcoming episode?
[Your name]
[One link: LinkedIn, GitHub or site]
Why it works: the first line proves you listened, the title gives the host something to picture, and the closing question is easy to answer.
Template 2: The follow up
Send this once, about a week after the first pitch, as a reply in the same thread.
Hi [host first name],
Following up on my note below in case it got buried. Since I wrote,
[one new detail: a result, a new angle, a timely event].
Happy to adjust the angle to fit what your listeners want.
If the timing is wrong, no problem at all.
[Your name]
Why it works: it is short, it adds new information, and it gives the host an easy way out. That last part matters. Hosts are more likely to reply to someone who is not pushing.
Template 3: The warm or referral pitch
Use this when a past guest, a mutual contact or the host's own content gives you a real connection. Never invent one.
Subject: [Mutual contact] suggested I reach out
Hi [host first name],
[Mutual contact] mentioned you're booking guests on [topic] and
thought I'd be a fit. I [one line on your relevant experience].
An episode idea: "[Working episode title]"
- [Talking point 1]
- [Talking point 2]
My recent interview on [other show]: [link]
Open to a short call or happy to go straight to scheduling,
whichever is easier for you.
[Your name]
Why it works: the referral earns attention in the subject line, and the rest stays as tight as a cold pitch. Ask your contact before you use their name.
Template 4: The pitch to a show in another language
If you speak more than one language, shows in your second language are often a good place to start. Write the pitch in the show's language, and say plainly that you can record in it.
Subject: [Episode title, written in the show's language]
Hi [host first name],
I listened to [episode] and [specific detail]. I'm [name], and I
[one line of experience]. I record comfortably in [language].
Episode idea: "[Working title]"
- [Talking point 1]
- [Talking point 2]
Sample of me speaking [language]: [link]
Would this fit your show?
[Your name]
Why it works: it removes the host's biggest worry, which is whether you can hold a full conversation in their language. If you have a sample of yourself speaking it, include it. On Prends you can filter shows by language, across 31 languages. For example, here are Spanish language podcasts.
Which template should I use?
| Situation | Template | Length | Key element |
|---|---|---|---|
| No connection to the host | Cold pitch | Under 150 words | Specific episode reference |
| No reply after a week | Follow up | Under 60 words | One new detail |
| Mutual contact or referral | Warm pitch | Under 120 words | Referral named in subject |
| Show in another language | Language pitch | Under 150 words | Proof you can record in it |
What should I avoid in a podcast pitch?
These are the patterns that get pitches deleted:
- "I'd love to come on your show." It says nothing about the episode. Lead with the idea.
- A list of ten topics. It hands the host your homework. Pick one, mention you have others.
- Your full biography. One line in the email. The rest goes on your podcast guest one-sheet.
- Pitching your product. If the episode is an ad, the host will pass, or offer you a sponsorship rate.
- Fake personalisation. "Love your show!" with no detail reads as a mail merge.
- Wrong name or wrong show. Check both before you send. It happens more often than you would think.
- Attachments. Link instead.
- More than one follow up. One is polite. After that, move on.
- Flattery about download numbers. Hosts know their numbers. Talk about their content.
How do I personalize a pitch quickly?
You do not need an hour per show. Twenty minutes is enough:
- Listen to the first ten minutes of two recent episodes, at a faster speed if you like.
- Note one specific point a guest or the host made.
- Check the last few months of episode titles so you do not pitch a topic they just covered.
- Adjust your episode title and talking points to match the show's audience level.
- Write the first line last, once you know which detail to reference.
If you want help with the drafting, Prends drafts the request for you. You review it and send it yourself. Replies work from email or Telegram, and requests expire after 7 days so nothing sits open indefinitely. You can see how it works on the podcast guest page, and browse the AI podcast directory to pick shows.
What should I do when a host replies?
Reply the same day if you can. Hosts book around their own schedule, and a fast reply often secures the earlier slot. Send what they ask for, confirm the time zone, and then start preparing. Our guide on how to prepare for a podcast interview covers what to do between the yes and the recording.
If the answer is no, thank them and ask if a different angle would fit later. Many hosts say "not now" rather than "never," and a polite reply keeps the door open.
A final check before you hit send
Read your pitch out loud. If any sentence would make sense in a pitch to a different show, rewrite it until it would not. Check the host's name, the show's name, and every link. Then send it, log it, and set a reminder to follow up once in a week.