Rejected Again? Here’s How to Actually Land Dream Podcast Guests (Without Losing Your Mind)
You’ve got the mic, the energy, and a head full of brilliant interview questions. But there’s one problem:
Nobody’s saying yes.
Your dream guests either decline politely (“Sorry, can’t make it”) or worse — never respond at all. You end up back at square one, drained, demotivated, and wondering if it’s worth the hustle.
You’re not alone.
The Pain Is Real: Guest Booking Can Feel Like Ghosting
There’s nothing glamorous about sending personalized emails, waiting for a reply, following up three times… and getting crickets.
Rejection stings. Especially when you’ve poured time into researching someone, crafting the perfect pitch, and imagining the conversation in your head.
And sure — people say “don’t take it personally.” But it feels personal when you keep hearing no.
In a crowded podcasting world, booking high-profile guests feels like trying to land a meeting with Beyoncé.
But there’s a smarter way.
Why Most Podcasters Struggle with Guest Outreach
Let’s be honest:
Most podcast pitches are either too generic, too self-centered, or just lost in flooded inboxes.
Many guests aren’t saying no to you. They’re saying no to:
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Yet another cold email
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Zero personalization
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No clear reason to say yes
And on your end?
You’re stuck doing everything manually, with no system, no tracking, and no backup plan.
Try This Instead: A Smarter Guest Booking System
If you’re serious about landing better guests, start here:
- Personalize Your Pitch: Do your homework. Mention something they recently published, said, or shared. Show them why you’re inviting them — not just what you get out of it.
- Offer Real Value: What’s in it for them?
Tell your guests how your audience aligns with theirs. Share past episode stats. Explain how this helps their message reach new listeners. - Follow Up (The Right Way): Don’t give up after one try. But don’t become annoying either. Use a tool like Pllugg to schedule respectful, timely follow-ups automatically.
- Show Your Track Record: Link to previous episodes or notable guests you’ve had. Even if your show is small, show that it’s worth their time. Why Pllugg Helps You Book Smarter, Not Harder
Pllugg is your podcast guest booking sidekick.
It helps with:
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Personalized outreach templates
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Automated follow-ups
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Scheduling and reminders
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Tracking who you’ve contacted and when
So instead of juggling spreadsheets, inbox threads, and mental notes, you can focus on what matters: building relationships and creating great conversations.
You don’t need to be a professional publicist to land amazing guests.
You just need the right approach and the right system.
Final Thought
Don’t let another “no” knock you off course.
Rejection isn’t the end it’s just feedback.
If you’ve got something meaningful to say, someone out there wants to say yes. Make it easier for them.
🎧 Want help getting started?
Try Pllugg.com and let it handle the heavy lifting while you focus on hosting the conversations that matter.
for more check: Podcast Guest Booking Guide
