Too many people don’t take their audio seriously enough. It’s extremely aggravating to be ready to listen to a new episode from a podcast I Iove, just for the guest to have sh*t audio quality. It completely ruins the experience!

It’s also embarrassing when I’m working with a new client and a host I submitted to feels it’s necessary to say “I noticed their audio is a little rough on some of their past interviews.. Can you send them a mic?”

Here is why you need to buy a mic if you haven't:

The Result:

My Advice:

Invest in Quality Audio Equipment: It's a small step that yields significant benefits.

For 15 years, I organized concerts. 

Do you know how many drew over 250 attendees? 

Just about 10%. 

Even with a strong brand, if I announced a conference happening six months from now.. 

Selling 250 tickets wouldn't be easy—it takes time and consistent effort.

So when someone says, "My podcast only has 36 listeners this week," I respond:

"That's fantastic!” 

You're outperforming my in-person real estate meetups, which typically have around 20 attendees. 

In fact, you're reaching more people than most bands do at their live shows.

The Takeaway:

Don't underestimate the influence you have, no matter the size of your audience. Keep pushing forward, and remember that every big success story started somewhere small.

Q: What is a good template for initial outreach to a podcast that you want to get booked on?

A: The G.U.E.S.T Format

Here’s a proven template I developed, known as the G.U.E.S.T format, which strikes the perfect balance between being informative and concise:

🎯 G - Grab Attention: Start strong with a compelling hook to capture the host’s interest immediately.

🌟 U - Unique Value Proposition: Clearly articulate what sets you apart and the unique insights you bring to their audience.

📖 E - Engaging Bio: Include a two-paragraph bio:

🏆 S - Solid Credentials: Highlight your most relevant accomplishments, such as client work, revenue results, or notable projects.

📲 T - Tangible Social Proof: Provide social media links and other credentials like previous podcast appearances or publications.

This template ensures you provide just enough info to pique interest without overwhelming the host. It’s all about making it easy for them to say "yes" without needing to do extra research.

This is a clip from my conversation with Ryan Alford on the Right About Now Podcast.

Tbh, I really don’t enjoy audio books

I wanted to use my time better in the car

So I started listening to audio books

But they rarely kept me interested.

It feels like the author is talking AT me..

The same way a teacher would in high school

.. And I hate high school.

I prefer to be like a fly on the wall listening to two experts go back and forth

I’ve always learned and paid attention better this way.

But also..

Real-life stories told by real people captivate me more than scripted audiobooks.

Whether commuting or relaxing, podcasts fit into my schedule effortlessly.

The authenticity and emotions in podcasts make each episode feel like a personal conversation.

Short, impactful episodes provide actionable insights without the commitment required by books.

Q: What are some of your favorite podcasts you've booked?

Coming from the music industry, I take pride in getting my clients on top podcasts the same way I would take pride in an artist getting on a big music festival. There are also tons of people I look up to that have podcasts, so it’s super rewarding when I’m able to bring them a guest for their show.

Below are some of the shows I take a lot of pride in having had clients on:

Q: What are ways a guest can prepare for a podcast?

A: Listen to the show in advance, know what you want to talk about. Bonus points if you can bring up something mentioned in a previous episode during the interview.

How to Prepare as a Podcast Guest: 

🎧 Pre-Listen to the Show: Familiarize yourself with the podcast’s style and previous episodes. This helps you understand the flow and the host's approach, and mentioning past episodes can impress both the host and the audience.

🔍 Understand the Host and Audience: Knowing a little about the host and their listeners can guide your contributions to be more relevant and engaging.

📚 Reference Past Episodes: If possible, refer to earlier content during your interview. This shows your engagement and enriches the conversation.

🗣 Practice Your Topics: Especially if you're new to podcasts, rehearse discussing your key topics. This ensures smooth conversation flow during the actual interview.

💡 Prepare for Recurring Segments: Many podcasts have signature questions or segments. Anticipate these (like a favorite book or piece of advice) and have thoughtful responses ready.

By doing your homework and practicing your points, you’ll not only ease your nerves but also deliver value, making your podcast visit memorable and impactful.

Head over to Spencer's LinkedIn where you can submit a question on any of his posts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zlEnVb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.outlieraudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Outlier Audio Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outlieraudio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spencercarpenter/⁠⁠

Q: How important is a speaker one-sheet when looking to get booked, and what should you include on it? - 

A: It’s NOT important at all. Having a well crafted email pitch works just fine by itself.

In my experience, having a one-sheet isn't essential for securing podcast interviews. Over the past four years, I've booked 1,500+ interviews without ever using one. Here's why:

From my 15 years in the music industry, I found that despite their professional appearance, one-sheets often added little value. Instead, focus on refining your email pitches to capture the essence of what you can bring to a podcast.

Remember, the goal is to make it easy for podcast hosts to see your value without extra steps. Keep it simple and direct!

Head over to Spencer's LinkedIn where you can submit a question on any of his posts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zlEnVb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.outlieraudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Outlier Audio Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outlieraudio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spencercarpenter/⁠⁠

This is a clip from my conversation with Erin Marcus on Ready Yet?! With Erin Marcus. 

Q: What are some things that just haven't worked that you're like just don't do this

A: Don’t take on clients, projects, or focus on niches you aren’t passionate about

While this could be said about anything..

I think it’s especially important for people about to start a podcast.

Do you really want to sink

👉🏼 Time

👉🏼 Resources

👉🏼 Money

👉🏼 Energy

Into something you’re not passionate about?

I truly believe that podcasts are worth the investment, but it has to be centered around something that REALLY gets you excited.

Check out the rest of my interview with Erin where we chatted about my journey from working in the music industry to founding Outlier Audio, challenges I faced when the music industry came to a halt in 2020, and how I pivoted to create new opportunities. I also discuss being able to transition your skill sets to different industries. If you're interested in resilience, adapting during tough times, and leveraging your talents in new ways, this episode is for you.

Head over to Spencer's LinkedIn where you can submit a question on any of his posts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zlEnVb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.outlieraudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Outlier Audio Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outlieraudio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spencercarpenter/⁠⁠

This is a clip from my conversation with Ryan Alford on the Right About Now Podcast.

Effective follow-up is key, particularly with busy professionals. Here’s a quick insight:

🕒 Timing Matters: You’re never going to know when is the perfect time to follow up, just make sure you’re being patient. I usually wait at least a week for the first follow up and then 1-1.5 weeks for the second.

📧 Be Persistent: Don’t rely on a single follow-up. Issues like vacations or staff changes can delay responses. If unnoticed at first, try again.

💡 Know the Dynamics: Assistants’ approaches to reviewing pitches can vary. While some may examine each detail, others might quickly select a few due to high volumes.

Key takeaway: Persist with your follow-ups and strategically choose when to reach out. Effective timing can significantly impact the success of your communications.

Head over to Spencer's LinkedIn where you can submit a question on any of his posts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zlEnVb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.outlieraudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Outlier Audio Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outlieraudio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spencercarpenter/⁠⁠

Q: I'm interested to hear more about getting more comfortable in impromptu speaking situations.

A: The best tip is to remember you’re just there to be you and it’s a 1-on-1 conversation

Feeling anxious about speaking on podcasts with limited experience? Here are some quick tips to boost your confidence:

🌟 Embrace Your Uniqueness: You were invited for your unique perspective. Just be yourself—that's irreplaceable.

🗣 It's Just a Conversation: Podcasts are usually one-on-one chats, not a live audience, making them less daunting.

🔄 Practice Makes Perfect: The more you participate, the more natural it feels. Each podcast helps refine your message and improve your delivery.

💡 Just Start: The key is to begin. With each session, speaking becomes easier, and your true personality emerges.

Remember, all experts started as beginners. Continuously putting yourself out there will enhance your speaking and communication skills.

Head over to Spencer's LinkedIn where you can submit a question on any of his posts - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3zlEnVb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.outlieraudio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Outlier Audio Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outlieraudio/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Personal Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/spencercarpenter/⁠⁠