Podcast Hosts Are Begging for Guests. Here's Why You're Not One.

Hosts: Percy Barr, Wayne Pratt and Bernie Franzgrote

Carl Richards breaks down the podcast guesting framework that turns intention into bookings, PodMatch, follow-up, and the stat that changes everything.

GROWTH CATEGORY: Networking & Community

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You've been meaning to pitch a podcast for months. Maybe longer. You know it would be good for your business. You just haven't done it yet.

Carl Richards has heard that sentence more times than he can count. He's the founder of Podcast Solutions Made Simple and a seasoned speech coach — and his entire business exists because most people stay stuck in the "thinking about it" stage. In this Canada Growth Network Power Hour session, he walked through exactly what it takes to move from intention to actual bookings.

Watch the full conversation here: Canada Growth Network Power Hour — Carl Richards

ANSWER CAPSULE

Most business owners want to be podcast guests but never build a real plan to make it happen. Carl Richards, founder of Podcast Solutions Made Simple, teaches a step-by-step guesting framework — from setting your intention and choosing your topics to using PodMatch and following up in a way that turns one recording into lasting business relationships.

WHO THIS IS FOR

SMB owners / Solopreneurs / Coaches and consultants / Anyone building authority and visibility through content

Key Lessons

1. The math is already in your favour — you just have to show up.

Carl opened with a stat that reframes the whole conversation. There are roughly 100 million people who want to be podcast guests. There are fewer than 800,000 active shows. That means hosts are actively looking for guests — the bottleneck isn't competition, it's preparation. Most people never pitch. The ones who do, get booked.

2. Thinking about it and doing it are two completely different things.

Carl was clear on this from the start. Saying you want to be a podcast guest is not a strategy. Setting an intention — how many shows, what topics, what timeline — is. He recommends no more than three or four topic areas, written without jargon, that match what hosts are already searching for on platforms like PodMatch. If your topics don't match the search terms hosts use, you simply won't surface.

3. The follow-up after the recording is where the real business gets done.

Most guests say thank you and move on. Carl's clients send a follow-up message, ask for a virtual coffee, and treat the post-recording conversation as the beginning of the relationship — not the end. Carl himself has landed clients, referral partners, and joint ventures this way. It takes one extra step. Almost nobody takes it.

Practical Steps

1. Set your guesting intention this week. Decide how many podcast appearances you want to make in the next 90 days. Write it down. Attach a number to it. Vague goals don't produce bookings — a specific target does.
2. Build your PodMatch profile and search your first five shows. Go to PodMatch and set up your guest profile with three to four clean, jargon-free topics. Search for shows in your space, read host profiles, listen to an episode or two, and send your first pitch before the end of the week.
3. Create a simple tracking sheet. One tab. Columns for show name, host name, date pitched, follow-up date, status, and notes. — Descript is the tool I use to edit audio and repurpose content fast once those episodes go live. —

About the Guest

Carl Richards is the founder of Podcast Solutions Made Simple and a professional speech coach with years of experience helping business owners land podcast appearances and speaking gigs. He helps clients move from "I've been meaning to do this" to actually booking shows — and turning each appearance into a real business relationship. Carl is also a podcast guest himself, which means he practises exactly what he teaches. Connect with him on LinkedIn or visit his website to explore working together.

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Partners on this episode

Canada Growth Network — A business community with a full CRM and automation suite built for SMBs and solopreneurs. Real tools. Real people. $47 CAD/month.

Profit10™ — Take the free Profit Snapshot. Ten questions that show you exactly where your business is strong and where it's leaking profit.

Gentry Learning — Fred Crouch's real estate education platform. Courses, active listings, an Investor Club, and a free newsletter.

FAQ

Q: Do I need my own podcast to be a guest on someone else's show?
No. Podcast guesting is completely separate from hosting. You don't need a show, a studio, or any equipment beyond a decent microphone and a quiet space. Many successful podcast guests have never hosted an episode.

Q: What is PodMatch and how does it work?
PodMatch is a platform that connects podcast hosts with guests. You set up a profile with your topics, availability, and bio — and the platform matches you with shows that fit your expertise. Hosts and guests review each other, and the platform enforces community standards.

Q: How do I follow up after a podcast recording without sounding pushy?
Send a thank you message within 24 hours. Then ask if the host would be open to a virtual coffee to explore synergies. You're not pitching anything — you're continuing the conversation. Most hosts appreciate it. That's where the real business starts.

K4B Acknowledgements

• Carl Richards
• Fred Crouch
• Jovan Strika — @Hive
• Melanie Webber