Media Kit for Podcast Guests: Do You Really Need One? (2026 Guide)
You're ready to start pitching podcasts. You Google "how to get booked on podcasts" and immediately see the advice everywhere: "Create a media kit."
So you spend three days designing a beautiful PDF with your headshot, bio, social media stats, and testimonials. You craft the perfect pitch email, attach your shiny new media kit, and hit send on your first 10 pitches.
Then you wait.
And wait.
Crickets.
What went wrong? Your media kit looked professional. Your credentials are solid. You followed all the advice.
Here's the truth most "expert" articles won't tell you: Most podcast hosts don't care about your media kit. In fact, many won't even open the attachment.
After booking 500+ podcast guests at Podcept, we've learned what podcast hosts actually look at when deciding whether to book you—and spoiler alert: it's rarely a media kit.
Here's how to save yourself time and get better results.
The Short Answer: Do You Need a Media Kit?
No.
Most podcast hosts don't require a media kit, and many won't look at it if you send one. They're busy. They get dozens of pitches every week. The last thing they want is to download a PDF and hunt for information.
What hosts DO need from you:
A compelling pitch email
A clear, concise bio (2-3 sentences)
Your headshot
Links to past appearances (if you have them)
Specific topic ideas relevant to their audience
That's it. Everything else is optional noise.
When a media kit actually DOES help:
You're targeting top-tier podcasts (the top 1% of shows)
You're working with a PR agency that requires one
You're pitching multi-guest roundtable shows
You're pursuing speaking engagements alongside podcast bookings
You're doing high-volume pitching (50+ shows) and want a one-sheet reference
For 90% of podcast pitches, skip the media kit. Use that time to write better personalized pitches instead.
PART 1: WHAT PODCAST HOSTS ACTUALLY LOOK AT
From our experience booking hundreds of podcast guests, here's what hosts check when they receive your pitch—in order of importance:
Priority #1: Your Pitch Email (They Read THIS First)
This is your only chance to make a first impression. Hosts are asking themselves:
Is this topic relevant to my audience?
Does this person have a unique perspective?
Will they be easy to work with?
Did they actually listen to my show?
✓ Example of a pitch that gets booked:
Subject: Scaling SaaS Without Burnout for Growth Stage Founders
Hi Sarah,
I loved your episode with Marcus Chen on sustainable growth strategies. The framework he shared on hiring timing really resonated with me.
I'm Alex Martinez, founder of a SaaS company that scaled from $1M to $10M ARR in 18 months without hiring a massive team. I'd love to share the 3-stage scaling framework I've used with 50+ companies on Growth Stage Founders.
Three angles I could cover:
The "2-person rule" that prevents premature hiring
How to automate before you delegate (saves 6-12 months)
When revenue growth actually justifies new headcount
You can hear me discuss similar topics on SaaS Weekly here: [link]
Would this resonate with your audience?
✗ Example of a pitch that gets ignored:
Subject: Guest Opportunity
Hi,
I'm a business consultant and thought I'd be a good fit for your show. I've attached my media kit with more information about my background and expertise.
Let me know if you're interested in having me on.
Thanks,
John
The difference in response rates: 40-50% vs. under 5%.
Priority #2: Your Website and LinkedIn (They Google You)
Before a host responds to your pitch, they'll Google your name. They're checking:
Are you a real person with real expertise?
Does your online presence match what you're claiming?
Are there any red flags?
Will you represent well on their show?
Priority #3: Past Podcast Appearances (Your Social Proof)
If you've been on podcasts before, hosts want to see proof. This tells them:
You know how to be a good guest
Other hosts found you valuable
You can hold an interesting conversation
If you have past appearances, include:
Recent podcast appearances:
• [Show Name]: [Specific Episode Title] - [Direct link]
• [Show Name]: [Specific Episode Title] - [Direct link]
• [Show Name]: [Specific Episode Title] - [Direct link]
If you're new to podcasting, show different credibility:
"While I'm new to podcasting, I've spoken at 10+ industry conferences on this exact topic"
"I haven't done podcasts yet, but I've published 50+ articles on [topic] in [publication]"
"First-time podcast guest, but I've coached 200+ clients through [specific problem]"
Priority #4: Your Headshot (Professional = Trustworthy)
Hosts need a photo because they're checking: "Will this person look good in our episode artwork and social media posts?"
Your headshot should be:
Professional quality (good lighting, clear focus)
Recent and accurate (within last 2 years)
Properly formatted (JPG or PNG, under 1MB)
File named correctly: YourName-Headshot.jpg
Priority #5: Your Bio (Keep It SHORT)
Hosts want your bio for show notes and introductions. They want 2-3 sentences that cover:
Who you are
Your expertise or credentials
Why you're qualified to discuss this topic
✓ Example of a perfect bio:
"Sarah Chen is a leadership consultant who's worked with 200+ Fortune 500 executives. She's the author of 'The Quiet Leader' and host of the Next-Gen Leadership podcast. Sarah specializes in helping introverts lead with confidence."
Why this works: 3 sentences, 50 words, clear credentials, specific expertise
PART 2: WHAT'S IN A MEDIA KIT (And What You Can Skip)
Let's look at what a typical media kit includes—and what podcast hosts actually use:
Professional headshot → ✓ NEED THIS (but just send the file directly)
Short bio (2-3 sentences) → ✓ NEED THIS (paste in email)
Long bio (full page) → ✗ SKIP IT (hosts never read these)
Social media follower counts → ✗ SKIP IT (unless you have 50K+ followers)
Past media appearances → ✓ NEED THIS (but just as links in email)
Sample interview questions → ✗ SKIP IT (hosts create their own questions)
Client testimonials → ✗ SKIP IT (save for speaking gigs)
Topic ideas → ✓ NEED THIS (include in pitch email)
Brand colors and logos → ✗ SKIP IT (only for paid sponsors)
Reality check:
✓ What hosts actually use: Headshot, short bio, past appearances, topic ideas
✗ What hosts ignore: Long bio, sample questions, testimonials, social stats, brand guidelines
PART 3: WHAT TO SEND INSTEAD OF A MEDIA KIT
Here's exactly what we send when booking podcast guests for clients—consistently gets 40-50% response rates:
Template: The Perfect Pitch Email
Subject: [Specific Topic] for [Podcast Name]
Hi [Host Name], I loved your episode with [Recent Guest] on [topic]. [Specific thing you found valuable]. I'm [Your Name], [your one-line credentials]. I'd love to share [specific valuable insight] with your audience. Here are three angles I could cover:
1. [Topic idea 1]: [Benefit to their audience]
2. [Topic idea 2]: [Benefit to their audience]
3. [Topic idea 3]: [Benefit to their audience]
I've attached my headshot and bio below. You can hear me discuss similar topics on [Podcast Name] here: [link] Would this be a good fit for [Podcast Name]?
Best, [Your Name]
[Website]
[LinkedIn]
HEADSHOT: [Attach YourName-Headshot.jpg]
BIO: [Your Name] is a [job title] who [what you do] for [who you serve]. [He/She/They] [major credential]. [Your Name] specializes in [expertise area] and has been featured on [media/podcasts].
The Bottom Line
Here's what you actually need to get booked on podcasts:
Great pitch email showing you understand the show and its audience
Professional headshot you can attach or link to
Short bio (50-75 words max) that's clear and credible
Specific topic ideas that would resonate with their listeners
Links to past appearances if you have them
That's it.
Save your time. Skip the fancy PDF. Focus on crafting personalized pitches that show podcast hosts exactly why you'd be valuable to THEIR audience.
Most podcasters are looking for great guests, not perfect media kits.
Give them what they actually need, and you'll get booked.
Work With Podcept
We handle the research, pitching, follow-up, and coordination so you can focus on delivering great interviews.
Our packages:
• Breaking In: 2-3 quality bookings per month
• Building Authority: 4-5 strategic bookings monthly (Most Popular)
• Establishing Leadership: 6-10+ premium bookings per month