In this episode of the Mattie James Podcast, I talk about how to properly ask someone to be on their podcast or their blog. I get hit up in my DM’s so much with people asking me this question. Honestly, the approach of it is very lackluster, and sometimes, very unprofessional. I have a love/hate relationship with DMs. It is such a quick and direct way to connect with you guys, which I love, and IG stories has made the direct messaging pretty casual and approachable. However, there is a better way to do it. Since this is something me and my sister, Maya, talk about, I thought it would be good to share with you three ways to properly ask someone to be on your podcast or blog. Listen below.
Do The Research (2:20)
Most people who are in a position to be interviewed for a podcast make their contact information very available. If you don’t have the work ethic to look in my bio, but DM me to ask me what’s the best email to reach out to me about a podcast, I usually just don’t tell you. This is not me being a diva. You are just showing that you don’t have the work ethic to find my contact information. It is your responsibility as the podcast host, or the producer, or whatever, to do the research.
Find The Contact Page (3:44)
As someone who has been blogging for 9 nine years, I have a full site. I have a page solely dedicated to contacting me. And on that page is my email to contact me directly. I go even further to breakdown what I do and don’t do on that page as well. Take advantage of someone’s contact page to find out whatever information you need before reaching out.
Contact Email Over DM (6:00)
Do not use the DM as a contact. Reach out via email. Use the DM as a warm up to the email you are going to send. Use it to humanize the conversation, however, you do not want to have FULL conversations via direct messages. Use their email to set up dates and times or to ask certain questions. And believe me, brands that are trying to pay you good money is NOT conducting business via DM. They’re just not. Also, do not mass email people. Don’t do it. Take the time out to use someone’s name, spell it correctly, and get straight to the point. Be very specific with your ask. You don’t have to be overly formal, either. Then, if you don’t hear back in a week, follow up. Follow up, but NOT in DMs. Just don’t. Not if you want to be taken seriously.
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