How to Get Featured on Podcasts: 7 Steps for Self-Published Authors

According to Backlinko, in the U.S., an estimated 158 million consumers listened to a podcast in the last month (as of 2025)—with the most popular podcast platforms being YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. That's an increase from 135 million monthly listeners in the U.S. in 2024. Obviously, people's interest in podcasts isn't slowing down.

So, what does that mean to you as a self-published author?

Are you interested in promoting your book to a larger, loyal, and possibly untapped audience? If so, you might just want to give some thought to pursuing the opportunity to land an appearance on a podcast. To do so, you'll need a structured, strategic approach. Here are the essential steps to follow: 

1. Identify the Right Podcasts

Selecting the appropriate podcasts for your guest appearance is a strategic decision that can greatly impact your author journey. In order to make the most of your appearance, you'll want to focus on shows that meet these criteria: 

• Make sure they're currently accepting guest submissions
• Choose ones that cater to your target audience or genre
  • Look at similar authors in your genre and note which podcasts they've appeared on
• They should have an active, engaged listener base
• Check to verify that they feature author interviews and/or spotlights 

How do you go about finding them? 

• Use specific keywords appropriate for your genre and interests to search podcast directories such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Listen Notes.
  • Examples include "indie author podcast guest," "self-publishing podcast," and "science fiction author interview podcast"

Browse podcast sites such as PodcastGuests, Podchaser, and Matchmaker.fm to find out which shows are looking for guests and which are tailored to your industry and niche. With these services, you can create a profile that details who you are, what you've written, and your areas of expertise as a guest. 

2. Vet Those Podcasts

Once you've identified some potential podcasts on which you think you might like to appear, listen to at least one full episode of each. Pay close attention and determine the following:

• Is your book aligned with the show's theme and audience?

  • If you've published a book with a sports theme, you'd do best to target podcasts that are sports-specific, deep dives into spots analysis, or about the cultural impact of sports. 
• Are you a good fit for the podcast’s guest qualifications?
  • Understand what their listeners value—entertainment, education, inspiration, or technical expertise.
  • Can you offer listeners something valuable (insights or perspective)?
• Is the show's format one that you're comfortable with?
  • Consider whether the show features in-depth conversations or quick highlights, and which better serves your book.
  • Do you have engaging stories or examples that would work in their format?

3. Prepare Your Pitch

Now that you've picked out the podcasts that interest you, it's time to prepare your pitch. You'll want to tailor your pitch a bit for particular shows, but it's best to have a basic one at the ready. Be prepared with both an email pitch and a press kit. 

• Your email pitch should be engaging and to the point. Clearly state who you are, what your area of expertise is, and what you can bring to the show as a guest.
  • Be sure to include: 
    • A brief author bio listing your latest work and any relevant accomplishments
    • A hook about your book, and why it would be of interest to their audience
    • A list of suggested talking points 
• Your press kit can either be printed or an electronic piece that includes: 
  
  • A detailed author biography with a professional headshot
  • A hi-resolution image of your book cover with a brief blurb
  • Important links to previous media appearances, your social media accounts, reviews, and your author website
  • Contact info for media

4. Make Contact

Send an email or fill out the podcast's contact form. Put yourself out there and see if they're interested. You know how to best sell your brand, but be sure not to overdo it. 

• Always make sure to personalize your pitch emails to the recipient—never send a mass email to all contacts
  • Use a clear subject line: "Author Guest Pitch: [Your Name] - [Very Brief Book Description]"
  • Mention a specific episode of their show that you enjoyed and why (to ensure them that you're familiar with them)
• Give the recipients a good 7 to 10 days to respond before following up with them.
  • Send a brief, polite reminder referencing your original message
  • Follow up only once or twice before considering it a "no"

5. Prepare for Your Interview

Keep in mind that podcasts are conversational media—listeners appreciate authentic, engaging dialogue over perfectly polished responses. Being well-prepared gives you the confidence to be natural during the interview.

• Practice your answers to common interview questions:
  • Why did you write your book?
  • What's been the path of your self-publishing journey?
  • What's next for you?
• Perfect your elevator pitch about your book:
  • Start with an intriguing question or surprising statement to hook listeners
  • Position it within a recognizable category but highlight its uniqueness
  • Use vivid, specific language rather than generic descriptions
  • Be sure not to over-explain the plot or sound rehearsed
• Don't just promote your book.
  • Be prepared to discuss your writing process, inspiration, etc.

6. Promote Your Appearance

After your episode airs, share with your existing readers, and make it easy for new readers to find and follow you. Promoting your appearance effectively can significantly boost your visibility, credibility, and book sales.

• Share it in your newsletter, blog, and across social platforms

  • Send a dedicated email to your list that includes "My Latest Interview" in the subject line
  • Tailor your social posts based on the platform: post a video snippet on Instagram, a reaction poll on X, and share quotes from the interview on your Facebook page

• Tag the podcast host and use genre-specific hashtags

  • Leave a review for their show and encourage your followers to do the same
  • Share not only information about your appearance, but also about the podcast in general
  • Ask the host if they'd be interested in posting some of your content in return

• Embed the episode on your website or media/press page

  • Podcasts are evergreen content—you can reshare the episode when a relevant book launch or topic comes up again.

7. Build Ongoing Relationships

Getting featured on a podcast is only the beginning. The real value often comes after the interview—when you intentionally nurture your relationship with the host and their audience. Even just one guest spot can lead to a long-term collaboration, if you do it right.

To do this effectively: 

• Thank the host personally within 24 to 48 hours after your appearance airs. Send a brief thank-you note that reads something like this:
  • "Thank you again for having me on your show, [Podcast Name]. I really enjoyed our discussion about [topic]—it’s a topic I’m really passionate about. I’ve shared the episode on X and in my newsletter and received great feedback already. I look forward to staying in touch!"
• Maintain contact—comment on future episodes, offer value, or refer other authors.
  • Share episodes you think your audience would like, even when they don’t feature you.
• Reappear on their podcast later if appropriate. 
  • Wait at least 4–6 months before pitching a return, unless they explicitly invite you back sooner.

Appearing on podcasts as a self-published author isn’t about casting a wide net—it’s about targeting the right shows with the right message. Podcasts with devoted niche audiences often drive more book sales than larger, more general shows, as listeners are more likely to act on recommendations that align with their specific interests.

Invest the time to build quality connections, and you’ll earn not just airtime, but loyal readers as well.