Let’s be real. Standing out from the crowd (a crowd of your direct competitors, no less) is hard. Between social media, email marketing, websites, ads, and countless other channels, there is a constant barrage of information vying for the attention of your target audience. How do you cut through that noise??? Well, one answer might be to make a lil noise yourself… 📣

Yup. We’re talking about podcasts. Specifically, why you should consider becoming a guest on an industry podcast, and we’ve got some serious stats on our side too.

The digital broadcast boom 💥

Podcasting has exploded in popularity over the past few years. Recent research shows that:

• over 42% of people in the UK listen to podcasts regularly,

• and 54% of podcast listeners say they are more likely to consider brands they hear advertised on podcasts (Ofcom, 2024).

Are you hearing this?! The opportunities within the world of podcasting border on unmatched. Professionals across all kinds of industries can showcase their expertise and build connections with potential clients and collaborators, all whilst in the ear of a highly engaged audience.

But that’s not even the meatiest punch that the podcasting world packs...

Why podcast guesting > podcast hosting

It’s no secret that creating, producing, hosting and generally maintaining a thriving podcast is a big old job, and definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. But the superpower of podcasting is that you don’t need to have one in order to reap the benefits. By appearing as a guest on relevant podcasts, you can claim many of the perks without fully rebranding as a microphone-wielder or taking on an additional mammoth workload. As a featured guest you can…

1. Reach a targeted, engaged audience: Industry podcasts attract listeners who are genuinely interested in your niche and are actually earnestly listening. As a supplier or professional in the events sector, this means getting your message in front of decision-makers and industry enthusiasts who are actively seeking insights and expertise, and willing to act on it.

2. Build credibility and authority: Sharing your experiences and expertise in a conversational setting helps position you as a thought leader. It’s a subtle way of building trust and platforming your company or service without sounding overly promotional.

3. Networking opportunities: Appearing on podcasts not only connects you with the hosts but also with their networks. Many podcasts encourage listeners to follow guests on LinkedIn or check out their services, helping to grow your professional circle and boost those sweet sweet dopamine-inducing numbers.

4. Content that lasts: Podcast episodes are evergreen content. Once recorded, they can be listened to again and again, long after release, giving listeners the chance to return to your ideas, and your insights the chance to make a compounding impact.

5. SEO and backlink benefits: Many podcasts also publish episode information, show notes or transcripts on their websites. Featuring as a guest could mean added engagement or gaining a valuable backlink to your site, boosting your SEO.

6. Honing your speaking: If you have dreams of a career as a thought leader, or are itching to improve your public speaking, podcasts are the ultimate secret weapon. All the practice with no pressure of a live audience, the safety net of the edit, and recorded content that you can listen back to and improve upon. #Winning

Time to enter your podcast guest era? We think so.

To get you started…

If you’re in the events industry, here are some must-listen podcasts to get you inspired:

• The Events Insight with Jack Saward and Karen Edwards: An entertaining listen, packed with insights and advice for event profs.

• Better Events with Logan Clements and Mary Davidson: Hosted by two event planners and producers, helping listeners learn, improve, and grow their businesses and events.

• EventLAB Podcast by Hire Space: Discussions on industry trends, event planning insights, and interviews with experts.

• GatherGeeks by BizBash: A behind-the-scenes look at innovative event strategies and trends.

The Neon Lounge

At Electric Cat we host our very own events podcast, interviewing industry A-listers about their careers, experience, favourite anecdotes and advice for up-and-coming professionals. The Neon Lounge is currently in its second season and has hosted the likes of Tamar Beck (CEO, Gleanin), Olly Galvin (Director, Acumen Safety), Craig Mathie (Director, Project 30 Event Management), Lizzy E. (Director, Oddity Events) and Adam Parry (Co-Founder and Editor, Event Industy News). Is this a cheeky plug? Maybe. Do we think you’d love it? As either a listener or a guest? Helllll yeah!

To catch up on our latest episodes or to apply to be a guest, click here.