So you’ve built a podcast, found your voice, and grown a loyal audience. Now you’re asking the big question — how to pitch your show to a podcast network. This guide walks you through every step of that process, drawing from proven strategies including the framework Rachel Corbett has shared for aspiring podcast hosts ready to level up.
Whether you’re a brand-new creator or a seasoned podcaster ready to scale, understanding how to pitch your show to a podcast network can be the single most important career move you make. Let’s break it all down.
Why Pitching to a Podcast Network Matters
Podcast networks offer creators something that’s hard to build alone: distribution power, monetization infrastructure, brand partnerships, and production support. When you successfully learn how to pitch your show to a podcast network, you unlock access to all of these advantages.
Networks like Wondery, iHeartMedia, Spotify’s exclusive roster, and dozens of niche networks are constantly looking for fresh content. But they don’t just want any show — they want shows that fit their brand, bring an audience, and have a clear vision.
That’s why your pitch has to be perfect.
Want to learn more about the podcast industry landscape before you pitch? Podcast Agency Network is a great place to start exploring what networks are looking for in today’s market.
Step 1 — Know Your Show Inside and Out Before You Pitch
The first step in how to pitch your show to a podcast network is brutal self-awareness. You need to know your show better than anyone else does. Before you write a single word of your pitch, answer these questions honestly:
- What is the core concept of your show in one sentence?
- Who is your target listener? Be specific — age, interest, lifestyle.
- What gap does your show fill in the market?
- What are your download numbers, engagement rate, and listener growth trend?
- Do you have social proof — media mentions, testimonials, or notable guests?
Rachel Corbett, a leading podcast coach and educator, emphasizes that podcast pitches fail most often because creators don’t truly understand their own value proposition. You might think your show is for “everyone who loves true crime” — but that’s not specific enough. The more clearly you define your audience, the more compelling your pitch becomes.
Step 2 — Research the Right Podcast Networks to Target
Not every podcast network is the right fit for your show. Pitching a health and wellness podcast to a sports network is a waste of everyone’s time. Part of mastering how to pitch your show to a podcast network is doing your homework.
Here’s how to research networks strategically:
- Listen to shows already on that network. What’s the tone, style, and audience? Does your show fit naturally?
- Study their submission guidelines. Most networks publish these on their website. Follow them exactly.
- Look at their sponsors. Sponsors tell you what kind of audience the network serves. If their sponsors don’t match your audience, it’s probably not the right fit.
- Check their growth trajectory. Are they signing new shows? Are they growing on social media? A growing network is more likely to be actively recruiting.
Also visit the Podcast Agency Network Blog for up-to-date industry insights on which types of shows networks are actively seeking right now.
Step 3 — Build Your Pitch Deck (The Rachel Corbett Approach)
Rachel Corbett’s approach to pitching is structured, professional, and persuasive. When teaching creators how to pitch your show to a podcast network, she stresses that your pitch deck or pitch email should include these core elements:
1. Show Concept (The Hook)
Open with a one-to-two sentence description of your show that immediately communicates the value. Think of it as the logline of a movie — it should be so clear and compelling that the reader gets excited in the first 10 seconds.
2. Target Audience Profile
Describe your listener in vivid detail. What do they do for work? What do they care about? What problem does your show solve for them? The more specific, the better.
3. Current Metrics and Traction
Numbers talk. Share your monthly downloads, episode count, listener retention rate, and social media following. If you’ve been growing, show the growth trend with a simple graph or percentage increase.
4. Episode Samples
Include links to 2–3 of your best episodes. Choose episodes that represent the quality and tone of your show at its absolute best. Don’t send your first episode — send your most refined, most representative work.
5. Monetization Potential
Networks are businesses. Show them how your show can make money. Think about relevant sponsorship categories, affiliate opportunities, merchandise, live events, or premium content tiers.
6. Your Background and Credibility
Why are you the right person to host this show? Highlight relevant experience, credentials, media appearances, or industry connections.
Step 4 — Write a Pitch Email That Gets Opened and Read
Even with a perfect pitch deck, if your email subject line doesn’t get opened, nothing else matters. Here’s a proven structure for your pitch email when learning how to pitch your show to a podcast network:
Subject Line: Keep it short, specific, and intriguing. For example: “Pitch: [Show Name] — 50K Monthly Listeners, Perfect Fit for [Network Name]”
Opening Paragraph: Mention the network by name and reference a specific show of theirs you admire. This shows you’ve done your research and aren’t sending a mass template.
Middle Paragraph: Deliver your elevator pitch. Use the logline, mention your numbers, and explain why your show is a strategic fit for their network specifically.
Closing Paragraph: Include a clear call to action. “I’d love to set up a 20-minute call to discuss how [Show Name] could complement your existing lineup.” Attach your pitch deck and link to your best episodes.
Keep the entire email under 300 words. Brevity signals respect for their time — and it forces you to be sharp and focused.
Step 5 — Follow Up Without Being Annoying
Following up is a critical part of how to pitch your show to a podcast network — and most people either never do it or do it wrong. Here’s the professional approach:
- Wait 7–10 business days after your first email before following up.
- Keep your follow-up short. “Hi [Name], I wanted to follow up on my pitch for [Show Name] sent on [Date]. Happy to share any additional materials if helpful.” That’s it.
- Don’t follow up more than twice. Two follow-ups is professional. Three or more starts to feel desperate.
If you’re rejected or don’t hear back, don’t take it personally. Networks receive hundreds of pitches. A “no” today doesn’t mean “no” forever — especially if you come back in six months with stronger numbers.
Step 6 — Negotiate the Deal (If They Say Yes)
Getting a “yes” is exciting, but the work isn’t over. Knowing how to pitch your show to a podcast network also means knowing what comes next. When a network expresses interest, be prepared to discuss:
- Revenue split. What percentage of ad revenue do you keep? Industry standard typically ranges from 50–70% to the creator, but this varies widely.
- Creative control. Will the network have editorial input? Can they require changes to your format, guests, or content?
- Exclusivity clauses. Will you be locked out of publishing elsewhere or working with other networks?
- Term length. How long is the contract? What are the exit clauses?
Always have a lawyer or experienced media advisor review any contract before you sign. The excitement of a “yes” can cloud your judgment on terms that matter enormously in the long run.
For specialized podcast creators — especially in healthcare and medical fields — check out this resource on podcast booking for physicians, which covers unique considerations for professionals pitching niche shows to networks.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Pitching to a Podcast Network
Even talented creators make avoidable errors. Here are the most common mistakes people make when learning how to pitch your show to a podcast network:
- Pitching too early. If you have fewer than 5,000 monthly downloads, most major networks won’t take you seriously. Build your audience first.
- Sending generic pitches. Copy-paste pitches are obvious and immediately dismissed. Personalize every single pitch.
- Ignoring submission guidelines. If the network asks for a one-page pitch and you send 10 pages, you’ve already failed the first test.
- Focusing on yourself, not the network’s needs. Your pitch should answer “what’s in it for us?” not just “here’s how great I am.”
- Underselling your numbers. Some creators are embarrassed by modest stats — don’t be. A highly engaged niche audience of 3,000 listeners can be more valuable than 30,000 passive listeners.
What Rachel Corbett Gets Right About Podcast Pitching
Rachel Corbett has become one of the most trusted voices in the podcasting education space. Her framework for how to pitch your show to a podcast network centers on one core principle: clarity of purpose.
She argues that most podcasters fail at pitching not because their show isn’t good enough, but because they can’t articulate what makes it valuable in a concise, compelling way. The work of crafting a great pitch, she says, is actually the work of clarifying your show’s identity — which makes you a better podcaster overall, not just a better pitcher.
This philosophy is echoed across the industry. According to Podcast Cola, the most successful podcast pitches share three traits: they’re specific, they’re data-driven, and they’re written with the network’s audience in mind — not just the creator’s ego.
Building Long-Term Relationships with Podcast Networks
Whether or not your first pitch succeeds, treat every interaction with a network as relationship-building. The podcast industry is smaller than it looks. The executive who passes on your show today might champion it in two years when your numbers have grown.
Stay active in the industry. Attend podcast conferences. Engage with network executives on LinkedIn. Comment thoughtfully on industry news. Be the kind of creator that networks want to work with — professional, prepared, and genuinely passionate about the medium.
Mastering how to pitch your show to a podcast network is ultimately about becoming the kind of podcaster that networks seek out, not just respond to.
Quick Recap — How to Pitch Your Show to a Podcast Network
Here’s a quick summary of everything we’ve covered on how to pitch your show to a podcast network:
- Know your show’s concept, audience, and value proposition cold.
- Research networks that are the right strategic fit for your content.
- Build a professional pitch deck with metrics, samples, and monetization ideas.
- Write a short, personalized pitch email with a strong subject line.
- Follow up once or twice — then let it go.
- If you get a yes, negotiate terms carefully before signing.
- Treat every interaction as relationship-building for the long game.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how to pitch your show to a podcast network is a skill that separates hobbyist podcasters from serious media professionals. With the right preparation, the right pitch, and the right mindset, you can absolutely land your show on a major network — and change the trajectory of your podcasting career.
Take the time to do it right. Study creators like Rachel Corbett who have laid out the roadmap. Use every resource available, from industry blogs to podcast industry consultants. And above all, believe in the value of what you’ve created.
Your show deserves to be heard. Now go pitch it.
