Self-Promotion Without The Ick Factor

Podcast guesting takes self-promotion but there is a right way to do it, that you'll enjoy.

The Neverending Hot Topic Of Self-Promotion

The topic of self-promotion is a hot topic and yet it seems to always be something people want to talk about. I’m seeing a lot of talk around growing your platform and self-promotion. Is self-promotion necessary when it comes to being a podcast guest? Is a platform necessary to pitch yourself as a podcast guest?

My answer is yes, BUT there’s a right way to do it that won’t feel like you’re screaming “Look at me!” from the mountaintops.

Let’s start with the need for having an online presence or platform before you pitch yourself to be a guest. Do you need to be everywhere? No, not even close. You should at the very least have a website and be on your favorite social media platform. Show up where your ideal clients or readers are showing up. By all means, don’t feel the need to be on every single social media platform because you’ll feel like you can never keep up…because there are that many these days.

Once you get the hang of repurposing your content (reusing the same stuff in a variety of ways), then you might want to consider adding a social media platform or two. Until then, show up on one.

The goal is to show that you’re not only showing up online but that you also have a place to share your interviews. If you aren’t online at all, then how will you help the podcast host market your interview? It has to be a give and take. I talk about thanking your host and this is exactly what I mean.

Earlier this week, I read an article on Inc about “best practices” for podcast guesting. It started off ok but it ended with the interview. Let’s be clear about best practices…IT DOESN’T END WHEN THE RECORDING STOPS! (Yes, I’m yelling!) You need to share your interview. I posted about this article and heard from a ton of hosts that this is a common problem (I know from my own show as well) and that there are hosts who are considering switching to solo episode shows because they aren’t finding value in having guests on who won’t share the interview. My suggestion to hosts is to vet who you interview. Check out their social media platforms and see if they share their interviews. Now you will know if you should have such expectations or not.

As a podcast guest, if you’re sharing your interviews and hosts start to make this part of their vetting process, you just jumped ahead of a whole lot of other potential guests! This is all part of showing up online!

Your Following - Let’s Talk Numbers

Do you need a big following to be considered as a podcast guest? No!

You need a story. Whether that’s your personal story to provide inspiration or your knowledge to share how others can do what you do or anything else, that’s what you need to be interviewed on a podcast.

You don’t need thousands of followers. I’ve worked with clients who had a hundred followers or were only on LinkedIn and not on Instagram. They all landed interviews because it’s about who they are, not how many followers they have. BUT, their followings grew once they were on podcasts!

Self-Promotion Is Gross

No one likes someone who always talks about themselves and that’s what we think of when we think self-promotion. That’s not what it is though. Self-promotion in this sense isn’t screaming for everyone to pay attention to you and for you to pound your chest and show the world who you are. It’s about extending a thanks to the host for having you on their show and letting your followers know what you talked about. Chances are that they’d like to hear the interview as well and learn more from you.

In a day and age where there is so much negative on the news and in our everyday lives, take a moment to share your inspiration and knowledge with others. It’s not taking away from the breaking news and might actually brighten someone’s day when they hear that they’re not alone on whatever journey they’re on or that you took steps to launch your business and they can do the same thing.

We have to turn something such as self-promotion into a positive thing and maybe the term needs to simply stop being used when we talk about brand visibility or growing your platform. If it feels gross to call it self-promotion, call it what it is…repurposing your interviews into greater marketing content and sharing your story. See? No more ick factor!

How To Get On Podcasts

Monday marks one month since How To Get On Podcasts made it’s way into the world. On February 27th, the ebook and audiobook will be launched! Today, I spent a few hours at my local Barnes & Noble signing books and meeting people. The highlight was when a husband and wife came up to me and said they love books and have a huge TBR list at home but that I’m the first author they’ve ever met in person. We took pics and I signed their book! That was pretty awesome!

Tomorrow I’m heading down to Zibby’s Bookshop to not only celebrate their one year anniversary, but to also attend the Zibby Awards! How To Get On Podcasts was named The Best Book For The Knowledge Hunter…it’s award winning! I’m looking forward to seeing

Zibby Owens

and meeting up with some of my favorite author friends!

Speaking of Zibby’s Bookshop, if you’re in the Santa Monica area, I’ll be there on Monday, February 26th at 6pm!

My Simplified Life

This week I interviewed Rosey Lee, author of The Gardins of Edin. This was exciting for me because I’ve never interviewed an author who uses a pen name! I learned so much! Rosey has become a fast friend and I know you’ll love hearing her story (in real life, she’s a physician!). Rosey sent out the most gorgeous book boxes that blew me away! Talk about goals!

Now for a shameless plug…I’m the Girl Scout troop leader and my troop is selling Girl Scout cookies. If you need a fix, please don’t hesitate to purchase some!

I hope you all enjoy the long weekend. We have what they call “ski week” here and the kids are off!