When I speak on the topic of marketing I always talk about using guest appearances as one way to grow your audience. It not only helps you grow your audience but it can also build your email lists as well.
#1 – What Is It and Why Should I Do It
“A guest appearance is simply where you are a guest on someone else’s platform. That can be a blog, podcast, or video.”
-Tammy
One great reason why you should consider appearing on or doing guest appearances is to increase your online presence. The other benefit is that you can significantly grow your audience through these appearances if you choose and manage them wisely.
#2 – What Type of Program Should I Appearance On
There are many programs where you could possibly be a guest.
Some of which are…
- Blog or Article – many websites offer the option for guest bloggers or article contributors.
- Magazines – both online and printed often feature business owners.
- Podcasts – there are so many podcasts today that there is always someone looking for a new guest.
- Videos – interviews are also a big thing and maybe approached or you if follow someone you could approach them perhaps.
- Webinars or Workshops – you could be asked by someone to do a webinar series with them.
- Summits, Conferences, or Conventions – you could become a speaker for an event.
#3 – Which Programs Should I Do Guest Appearances
To answer this question I suggest you first should know your ideal audience. If you do not know your ideal audience or need help with this please reach out to me and I’ll be happy to send you a storyboard to complete (it will walk you through doing one). Once you know your audience you should do research on the programs that target this audience.
For example, if you like to work with coaches, then perhaps you will do a search of “podcasts for coaches” or “coaches podcasts”. The latter of which produced no less than 60 results, many of which were lists of podcasts for coaches. There is certainly plenty of data out there for you.
[By the way, I accept Guest Blogs from those who are not competitors and who can speak to my audience.]
#4 – How Can I Be A Guest
After you have researched the type and the program you would like to be a guest on then you take the next steps. There are step-by-step processes to take to try to obtain a guest’s appearance.
The other thing I recommend you do is to create a PR Kit or at least a Speaker Sheet even if you are not a speaker. This will show much professionalism from you and also show you go the extra step. This will be easy to submit to the show when they ask for bios, links, etc.
You can also begin to build your own audience by doing the very things you want to be a guest on (podcast, webinar, summit, etc.). By doing this it can draw attention to you and your brand and possibly get invited to one of the programs.
If you want to appear at a summit, conference, or convention, you should reach out to them months ahead of time to see if they have any speaker spots open.
#5 – What Should I Discuss
It is always good to have a few topics prepared in case the host does not have prepared questions for you. If your ideal audience is speakers for instance you may want to talk about automation and how you utilize this to help your clients.
Main Things To Remember When Appearing:
- The main thing is to showcase your expertise
- Be Yourself
- Have a Free Offer prepared to share with the audience (this specific audience or is niche specific and related to the audience and topic you are discussing).
#6 – How Can I Promote My Guest Appearances
You may be wondering how you capitalize on the experience once it is over. Often the program or article will not be published for at least a week, often up to months later. So, be prepared when it does come out. Already have posted some graphics showing you are excited to have participated in something that you will be announcing soon. Once the appearance is public make sure you record the link in your digital notebook or wherever you keep important links.
Produce a graphic if they did prepare one and share it with your audience. Also, remember to share in your groups where you are able. Then you can also add it to your blog and simply do an introduction outlining the process or just introduce the program and copy it in place in your blog. Lastly, be sure to add it to your latest email marketing campaign.
#7 – Making Evergreen Content From Guest Appearances
The great thing about most appearances is that they can be evergreen content.
What is evergreen content?
“Evergreen content is search-optimized content that is continually relevant and stays “fresh” for readers over a long period of time – as the name implies.”
-Digital Marketing Institute
Use the graphics and just delete any dated materials (when it was published if on the graphic, and any other marketings that indicate the time and year). Then every few months you pull these out again and run them sparingly across your social channels and you could even make a spot on your email template just for evergreen content by titling it “A Look Back” or similar.
#8 – Get Out of Your Comfort Zone To Do Guest Appearances
The final note on this topic is that I think you should try to get out of your comfort zone. You are probably saying that just being on it is out of your comfort zone. I want you to push a little further, however, do not just show up for an appearance but actually reach out to your dream podcast or dream speaking engagement. The one that you do not think you stand a chance with and see what they say. You will probably get a lot of No’s but even if you get one yes, wouldn’t it be worth it?
I hope you will write in and tell me that you got a dream appearance soon.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
To Your Continued Success,
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