Podcast to Expand Your Network

Continuing this series on why you should start a podcast, up next is a secondary benefit of interviews and working in a new area: expanding your newtwork.

Stay Connected with People You Interview

One of the great benefits of interviewing people is you meet new people. Now, you may not always connect with them in a way that there’s a long term relationship, but you might.

I’ve met some now-close friends because they came on my podcast and we we hit it off. I’ve even been in mastermind groups with them.

But even if you don’t hit it off on the show, you’ve still connected with someone new. And if there’s an opportunity to work with them, where you can both provide some value, that’s now a warm connection instead of a cold one.

I’ve had much more confidence to reach out to people I’ve met via my podcast (or theirs) when I’ve needed to because we know each other now.

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Meet / Connect with People in the Podcasting Industry

You also have an opportunity to connect with professionals in your new field. I’ve attended some podcast-specific events and have met some fantastic people along that way.

Make the effort to reach out to new people and introduce yourself at events – both virtual and in-person. Have some business cards and a few conversation starters ready.

And just one more note on this: don’t just connect because you think you can get something from them. That’s super transparent and it looks like you’re using them. Actually connect, exchange information, and stay in touch. You’re looking for a relationship, not a quickie.

Establish Yourself as an Expert in Your Field

Finally, as your podcast grows and you establish yourself more, people will reach out to you — to be on your show, for questions about podcasting, or for questions about the field you’re in.

This is a great opportunity for you, and I encourage you to keep an open mind. When people ask you questions, answer them, either directly, in a blog post, or on your show. Listener Q&A episodes can be pretty easy content!

If someone is asking to be on your show, determine if they can provide your audience with value before writing them off. There are smart ways to screen potential guests and I’ve had some fantastic people on my show because they reached out code.

Make Yourself Available

A big part of this is to make yourself available. I encourage listeners to reach out on Twitter or via email, and when they write in, I answer them. They are looking for information, and you can establish trust and expertise.

Your Network Will Grow Your Business!

All of this is to say that a strong network means a strong business…whether you’re a freelancer, you have a side hustle, or you’re gainfully employed. A podcast can help you grow your network and forge strong bonds with other professionals. When you can help each other, I’d say that makes for a successful podcast.

Have you ever met anyone through podcasting? Let me know in the comments below!

Build Relationships with Guests Before You Even Hit Record

One of the most overlooked networking opportunities happens before the interview itself. When you invite someone to be on your show, you usually exchange a few emails or messages about scheduling, topics, and format. Those pre-interview touchpoints are a chance to show genuine interest in their work, not just grab a time slot. I’ve had guests mention that they felt more comfortable opening up because I’d already asked about a recent project they were excited about during the planning stage.

Treat the invitation and prep phase as the start of the relationship, not a chore to rush through. Ask a thoughtful question about something they shared recently, mention a specific episode or article of theirs that resonated with you, and be clear about what you value in their perspective. This small effort turns a transactional “can you come on my podcast?” into a warm exchange, and it often leads to guests who are more engaged, more likely to share the episode, and more open to staying in touch after the recording ends.

Use Your Podcast as a Reason to Reconnect with Dormant Contacts

Everyone has contacts who have drifted out of active communication: a former colleague, a client from years ago, or someone you met at a conference and never followed up with. Podcasting gives you a legitimate, non-awkward reason to reach out again. Instead of a generic “let’s catch up” email, you can say, “I’m hosting a show about [topic], and I immediately thought of your expertise in [specific area]. Would you be open to a short conversation?”

This framing works because it offers the other person value, too: exposure to your audience, a chance to share their current work, and a low-pressure way to reconnect without committing to an open-ended coffee meeting. I’ve revived several professional relationships this way that had been quiet for years. Some turned into repeat guests, some led to referrals, and a few simply became active contacts again who now think of me when opportunities in their network come up. Even if someone declines the interview, the outreach itself reopens the door in a positive way.

Grow Your Network Through Guest Booking Assistant Communities

If you’re serious about using podcasting to expand your reach, don’t overlook the communities and tools built specifically for podcast guest booking. Sites and groups where hosts post guest calls, or where experts list themselves as available guests, are full of people who are actively looking to connect. Joining these spaces isn’t just about finding your next guest; it’s about becoming known as someone who runs a quality show and treats guests well.

Here are a few practical ways to use these communities to grow your network:

• Respond thoughtfully to guest requests instead of sending a generic copy-paste pitch.
• Offer short, specific feedback or share someone’s expertise in the group even if they aren’t a fit for your show right now.
• Follow up after a booking with a genuine thank-you note that mentions something specific from the conversation.
• Introduce guests to other podcasters or contacts when you see a clear mutual benefit, which positions you as a connector.

Being a reliable, respectful presence in these spaces creates a reputation that attracts more guests and invitations than simply posting your own availability ever will.

Leverage Guest Introductions to Reach the Next Tier of Contacts

Every guest you interview already has their own network, and many of those connections overlap with people you’d like to meet. After a positive recording experience, it’s natural to ask if there’s anyone else your guest thinks would be a great fit for the show. This isn’t a cold ask; it’s a warm introduction waiting to happen. When a guest says, “You should talk to my colleague who runs the data team,” that mention carries more weight than any direct email you could send on your own.

Be specific when you make the request. Instead of a vague “let me know if you have any referrals,” try something like, “I’m especially interested in speaking with people who work on retention in SaaS companies—does anyone come to mind?” That narrows the search and makes it easy for your guest to think of one or two names. Then, when you reach out, open with the context: “I recently interviewed [guest name] for my show, and they suggested you as someone with deep insight into [topic].” That single sentence transforms a cold outreach into a familiar conversation, and it often leads to guests you would not have been able to book otherwise.