Turning a Podcast Guest List into a Revenue Pipeline | 014

Hey, Amplifiers, welcome to another episode of

the Podcast Playbook. So today I want to talk to you about one of

the most strategic things you can do with your podcast that

doesn't cost a dime, doesn't require a massive audience, and

can lead to high quality clients, partnerships and even

long term collaborations. I'm talking about inviting potential

clients and collaborators and even joint venture partners onto

your podcast. Now you might be thinking, isn't that a little

sneaky to you know, try to get them on my show so I can recruit

them later. No, this is not about tricking anyone or using

your show as a bait and switch. It's about starting the

relationship in a way that's valuable to both you and allows

trust to build naturally.

So here's what we're going to cover today. First off, why this

approach works so well, how to find and invite the right

people, what to say when you reach out, how to lead the

interview with intention, what to do afterward to keep the

connection going, and how the strategy fits into the bigger

picture of growing your business. So let's dive into this.

So why this strategy works? Inviting someone onto your

podcast is one of the best old door openers in business today.

Think about it. How many times have you wanted to connect with

someone but didn't know how to get their attention? We all have

those dream people that we want to have on our podcast, or a

client that you know would be really great to work with. Cold

emails get ignored, pitches feel one sided, but a podcast

invitation that says, I see you, I respect the work you do, and I

want to highlight what you're doing. And when someone says yes

to being on your show, they're saying yes to spending anywhere

from 20 to 45 minutes in a conversation with you. That's

more time and intention than most sales people ever get from

a cold prospect. The truth is, when someone hears your voice,

sharing a few laughs, tells stories and feels hurt, it

shifts the relationship. It moves you from stranger to peer,

from outsider to trusted resource, and that's when the

magic starts to happen. This works especially well if you're

in a high trust business, such as coaching, consulting

services, even SaaS, because you're not selling features,

you're building relationships, and relationships start with

those initial conversations.

So who to invite and how to find them. Now let's talk about who

to invite. This is where strategy comes into play. You

want to be intentional. You're not just filling a guest list

with friends and influencers. Think about your ideal client,

who is your dream referral partner, the kind of people that

you would love to work with, collaborate with and learn from.

So here are a few categories to consider. First off, potential

clients. These are the ones who are active, visible and aligned

with your services. Then you've got referral partners, those who

serve the same audience, but in a different way. We've got

industry leaders who have reach and influence. We've got people

building complimentary products or services. And don't forget

the event hosts, the program coordinators or mastermind

leaders who could bring you in as a speaker or expert. Now,

where do you find these people? You can find these folks through

LinkedIn, conferences, social media masterminds, or even just

by paying attention to those whose content resonates with

your audience. You don't need a massive guest list, just a

handful of quality connections each quarter can move the

needle, all right.

So now, how do you reach out without being awkward? Once

you've identified someone you'd love to feature, it's time to

invite them. And here's the key, keep it about them. You're not

asking for a favor, you're offering them a platform. So

make your message clear, concise and respectful of their time. A

great outreach message includes who you are and what your show

is about, why you're reaching out to them, specifically you.

What value they'll get, such as visibility, maybe further

credibility, and they're going to reach new audiences, discuss

what the process looks like, the timing, the format, the

commitments and a clear call to action, either suggest a date or

invite for a quick chat to discuss how this would work. You

don't need to write a novel. Two to three short paragraphs is

perfect and always personalize it. Mention something they've

done recently, or a topic they speak on that aligns with your

audience. That little bit of effort can go a long way in

getting a yes, and by the way, don't be discouraged if someone

doesn't respond right away. People are busy. A short,

friendly follow up a week or later is totally appropriate. So

during the interview, build a relationship, not just the

content. So again, the focus is in that connection that you're

going to have with them, building that know, like and

trust factor.

All right, so the guest said, Yes, you booked the recording

and you're ready to go. Now. Here's where the relationship

starts to deepen. Before you hit record, spend a few minutes in

casual conversation. Ask how their day is going. Thank them

again for being there, and maybe review a few of the talking

points. If that helps them feel prepared once you're recording,

your main job is to make them feel seen and appreciated. Ask

thoughtful questions, follow their curiosity, let them tell

their story, share their work and express their values, ask at

least one question that's personal, meaningful or out of

the no ordinary, something like, what's something you wish more

people understood about your industry? What's lighting you up

right now that you don't usually get to talk about these kinds of

questions, show that you care about them as a human not just a

business opportunity. And here's the subtle but important part,

be present. Don't treat the interview like a transaction.

Treat it like at the beginning of a long conversation, that

energy matters.

So now, after the recording, what do you do? Well, don't stop

it. Thanks for being here. After you wrap up, thank them again

and let them know what to expect next. When will the episode go

live? Will you send assets for them to share? Are there any

next steps? Then follow through, send a thank you email with

within 24 hours, when the episode is ready to drop, share

a link and a short message that they can use to promote. Better

yet, give them a mini media kit, such as quotes that they may

have said, graphics, audiograms, video, grams, reels. It's even

better if you can give them the a sample copy of what you'd like

to see posted on the social media. That way, they don't have

to think about it. It's very much touch and go, copy and

paste and make sure that you have episode links with tags

inside there, because we still want to get it all back to you

too. So doing this makes them feel good, shows your pro and

gives them more reason to share, which helps both of you. But

don't stop there. The real opportunity comes in the weeks

after the episode. Follow up again. Share results. How many

listens? Did they get any positive feedback? You heard

interesting comments. Then if you sense alignment, suggest a

next step that might be a collaboration idea, an

introduction to someone in your network, a webinar or round

table, or even exploring ways to work together directly. By now,

you're not just some stranger. They've had a great experience

of you. You've already added value, and the door is open for more.

So let's talk about how this fits into the bigger picture.

Zoom out. This isn't just about booking a guest, it's about

building a long term relationship ecosystem around

your podcast. Every guest you invite is a potential client,

refer collaborator, content amplifier, or even future

podcast hosts who might invite you next time. So think of your

show not just as content, but as a business development tool, a

value exchange that builds trust at scale. And here's the best

part, you don't need 1000s of listeners for this to work. Even

with a small, focused audience, you can build relationships that

lead to real revenue, because people remember how you made

them feel, not how many downloads you have.

So let's recap. Start with strategy, choose guests who

align with your ideal client or collaboration goals. Make your

outreach short, personal and focused on their value during

that interview, build a relationship, be present, be

curious and let them shine. And after the interview, promote

like a pro and follow up with intention. Think long term, your

podcast is this connection engine. Use it wisely. If you've

been thinking about how to use your podcast to grow your

business, not just your audience, this is a strategy to

try it works. It's authentic and it's totally within your

control. All right, that's it for today. If this episode

sparked ideas for you, send me a message. I'd love to hear what

you're planning to do next. And if you want support building a

podcast that fuels your business, check out.

AmplifYou.com for resources tools or to book a call until

next time happy podcasting you.