Hi, Reader.

Welcome to Podcasting in Professional Services. Each week, you'll get podcasting research, trends, and examples. Today, we're going to talk about an underrated growth hack for podcast hosts: being a guest on other shows.

Guest Swaps: A Growth Lever for Podcast Hosts

It's hard enough to publish content for your own podcast. So why should you seek out guest opportunities?

Recently, we released our 2026 State of Podcasting in Professional Services research study which looked at both listeners and hosts of business podcasts in industries like accounting, AEC, tech, finance, marketing, and more.

We asked hosts of these podcasts, "What do you believe is the biggest opportunity for you to grow your show in 2026?"

Nearly 60% of business podcasters said they believe the biggest opportunity for their podcast in 2026 is to do more guesting on other shows.

Why?

Being a guest is a fantastic way to reach new pockets of podcast listeners. You also have a distinct advantage over other guests because:

1. You're used to being behind a microphone
2. Your audio quality will be better than some other guests, and
3. The opportunity for that host to be a guest on your show

As someone who has sat in both seats, preparing for and delivering on a podcast conversation is very different between a guest and host. As a host, your job is to extract information that will be valuable to your audience. You probably have this down pat.

But just because you interview guests doesn't mean you're going to be a perfect podcast guest right out of the gate...

As a guest, it's critical to refine your stories and be comfortable sounding like a broken record with your messages. This can be challenging. Especially for introverted, curious empaths who prefer to actively listen and ask questions.

If you need help with your podcast guesting strategy, reply to this email to start a conversation.

Create a Guest Appearance Playlist to Strengthen Your Pitch

As a podcast guest, you have an obligation to promote your episode in some form or fashion. For example, you could post about it on social media, or even mention it in your email newsletter:

Check out my guest appearances on The Profitable Creative and the Tenfold AI: Market Watch podcasts!

Another creative way to promote your past guest appearances is to make a playlist. It's super easy to do on Spotify. Here's a link to mine.​

This is also a fantastic resource to send to podcast hosts in your pitch to be a guest. It's proof of how you show up behind the mic and what kind of insights and energy you bring to the table.

As a host, surely you can understand why this is important. You want to get a feel for their style to help navigate and guide the conversation for your listeners.

Creating a playlist like this makes it easy, and gives you one more advantage over other guests out there in the marketplace.

In Case You Missed It...

• ​History of Podcasting: From '80s Radio Tech to Booming Industry​
• ​Podcasting at Conferences: Turning A Booth Into a Pop-Up Studio​
• ​How to Get Podcast Guests For Your Business Show​
• ​Audio vs Video Podcasts: Which Makes Sense for You?​

Take Your Show to the Next Level

Red Cedar Marketing help experts and professional services firms launch and grow podcasts that actually make a business impact. Here are a few ways we help clients:

• New show launch + pilot programs
• Podcast audit, benchmarking, and roadmapping
• Managed podcast growth + marketing
• Sponsorship development + monetization
• Video clip production & distribution
• Guest outreach, coaching and booking

Want to learn more?
Reply to this email to start a conversation.

Cheers,
- John