I received this e-mail message this morning to my comments@… New Comm Road inbox:

Hi,

My name is Chad and I wanted to drop you a line and let you know I really enjoy your podcast.

I am starting a new website to try to help people find new podcasts and help podcasters get bigger audiences.

The site is called [removed]

I thought I’d start getting the word out about it by emailing the podcasts I listen to regularly. Check it out and feel free to add your show if it’s not already on there. If you want to tell your listeners about the site so they can
review your site and others it will help us market podcasts and get the word out even more!

Take care,

Chad

A canned, impersonal message like this one is just about the worst way to pitch a podcaster. Here’s where Chad went wrong:

  • He never addressed me or my co-host Mike Bellina by name in the message
  • He never mentions my specific podcast
  • He says he “really enjoy[s my] podcast,” yet doesn’t say why.
  • He asks me to add my show to the site “if it’s not already on there.” If this were a personal message, Chad would have taken the time to check his own site to verify that my show isn’t already listed, and then would have made a note of that to me.

There was no personal touch from Chad in his initial message (nor in his subequent reply to my reply) that showed any indication that he has ever listened to New Comm Road, let alone that he truly enjoys it.

Most podcasters tend to be open to learning about new ways to promote their shows. Heck, there isn’t a podcaster around who doesn’t want more listeners (I know I do!). But if you want to engage us, you have to take some time to find out what our podcasts are about.

Here are some easy ways to endear yourself to a podcaster:

  • Leave a comment about a particular show on the podcast blog. At the minimum, offer a suggestion for the show or note a part of the program that you enjoyed or found particularly compelling. When you leave a comment, you can also drop in your URL after your name, and I’ll likely visit your site. You’ve made time for me, so I’ll do the same in return
  • Leave a trackback to the podcast blog where you continue the conversation
  • Leave an audio comment!
  • Send me a personal e-mail with your honest thoughts about the podcast

Send me an impersonal pitch and you have no chance, but show a genuine interest in my podcast and the conversation I’m having, and I’m willing to listen.

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