Bad Podcast Pitches

Ever get pitched on explosive podcast growth only to feel something isn’t right? Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress TestI take you through an unfiltered exchange with a self-proclaimed promoter who’s all about download guarantees and veiled urgency. As the conversation unfolds, the red flags pile up: unclear deliverables, pressure for quick payment, an obvious disconnect between promised results and actual data, and a haunting sense of being lured into something fishy.It’s more than just a cautionary tale. You get actionable strategies for dissecting outreach, clarifying your own expectations, and asking the questions that really matter—like whether your goals align, if download numbers actually mean new listeners, and how to politely but firmly say “no.” Along the way, you’ll be reminded that skepticism is healthy and that it’s possible to stand firm without losing your heart for the humans on the other end.You’ll finish feeling empowered to run your podcast with integrity, trusting your instincts, relying on real analytics, and knowing you’re not the only one navigating the sometimes-shady waters of promotion pitches.The previous episode: Is This Podcast Promotion Too Good to Be True?A screenshot of downloads from this promotion.Key Insights:Trust the data from your podcast host, not vague promises.If the deal sounds too good to be true, your instincts are probably right.Focus on your ideal audience, not just download numbers or chart rankings.Hold direct, detailed conversations and ask promoters to prove their claims.Kindness counts. Sometimes the salesperson isn’t even aware of the scam.Support & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ Chapters:(00:00) Opening: Was the promotion worth it?(01:02) Free Trials and Download Demands(02:47) The Pitch Turns Pushy(04:14) Following the (Data) Breadcrumbs(07:03) Reflections and Emotion(07:51) Tactics and Takeaways

Does your inbox fill up with pitches from “promoters” who promise massive growth for your podcast? We get real about these offers by sharing an actual back-and-forth with a solicitor. You’ll hear how we picked apart the offer, spotted inconsistencies, and pushed for details many so-called experts avoid. We talk honestly about the risks of chasing empty numbers, like downloads and rankings, instead of real listeners. With straight talk, we show you how to set your own terms before saying yes to a trial—even when it feels awkward. If you’ve wondered what genuine podcast growth should look like, or how to slow down a pushy pitch, this is your roadmap. You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and a few laughs about the wild world of podcast promotion.Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress TestKey Insights:Real growth comes from genuine audience connection, not inflated downloads or fake ratings.Pushing promoters for specifics uncovers whether they understand your actual podcast goals.Repeating vague promises and stats without evidence is a classic red flag.Pausing and asking direct questions is the best line of defense.Be clear about your expectations before accepting any promotion offer.Don’t be rushed by quick replies or repeated nudges for your podcast links.It’s okay to give someone a chance—just protect yourself and your show first.Support & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ (00:00) Welcome(00:34) The Pitch(01:11) Digging Into the Details(04:16) Tough Questions(06:42) Honest Reflections and Next Steps(08:23) Send Pitches to Me

Slimy tactics. That's what I think we have this time. Uncover why promises of increased YouTube podcast visibility often fall flat for audio shows. Learn actionable ways to recognize and avoid getting caught by misleading podcast pitches.This week’s pitch comes from Eric of Steele Watching: A Remington Steele Podcast.Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress TestGet a behind-the-scenes look at how some email marketing tactics use fake reply chains and snarky responses to push you into action, along with a breakdown of why these approaches hurt real podcasters like us. We demonstrate how common manipulation tactics in email pitches exploit our instincts and outline verification steps, such as checking timestamps and authentic replies.You also learn how this pitch misses the mark for audio-only podcasts looking to make waves on YouTube. We explain why claims of gaining "5,000 new viewers" are hollow if your podcast only features a static image. We provide steps to identify and avoid misleading offers, allowing you to concentrate on effective growth strategies that genuinely engage your audience.https://podcast.badpodcastpitches.com/episodepage/13Support & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ Chapters(00:00) The Setup(01:25) The Pitch(03:10) My Thoughts(05:55) Eric's Thoughts(09:55) Send Your Bad Pitches

Tired of copy-paste podcast pitches in your inbox? We review an actual offer, spotlight its red flags, and give you must-use tactics for handling unsolicited podcast business offers. Discover strategies to screen incoming inquiries and focus on real podcast growth.Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress TestUnsolicited podcast pitches are nothing new, but the flood of generic offers can overwhelm even seasoned podcasters and business owners. We dig into a real-world example of a copy-paste pitch received by Mike Wilkerson and share actionable advice for how to spot a bad podcast pitch before you waste your time. Our breakdown exposes the lack of research and honesty common in these messages and explains how record keeping can empower you and your brand.If you've received emails promising a buyer for your podcast network, it’s time to get strategic. Key Insights:Generic, copy-paste podcast pitches are frequent and rarely credible.Real research and detail are necessary for a podcast business offer to be believable.Be honest... please!https://podcast.badpodcastpitches.com/episodepage/12Support & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ Chapters:(00:00) The Setup(00:37) The Pitch(01:16) Mike's Response(02:05) My Thoughts(02:56) Coming Soon

Ever wonder what a truly weird podcast pitch looks like? I received a ranking email with our top keywords and positions, but it lacked explanation or a call to action—just a link to the full data. Weird...Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress TestI'm also testing out something brand new: Podhome.FM now lets us deliver both video and audio episodes, so you get to choose how you experience our show. To watch me discuss the episode without depending on YouTube's algorithm, find a compatible app from podcastapps.com. This is a great way for us to connect with you directly, letting you experience the podcast however you prefer.https://podcast.badpodcastpitches.com/episodepage/11Support & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ 

This pitch comes to me from my friend Mike Wilkerson of 2GuysTalking.com and PodcastGauntlet.com (and many other places online). Listen as we examine this rather questionable pitch.Oh... and a quick update on whether the incredible increase from our friendly neighborhood podcast promoter has continued.2 Guys Talking NetworkPodcast GauntletEpisode 7 (Will This Promotion Get Your Podcast Booted?)Episode 9 (What Really Happened After 3 Days of Professional Podcast Promotion?)Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress TestMy friend and cohost, Mike Wilkerson, received a vague email promising “8–15 qualified guests every four weeks” using a “pay for performance” model, without advertising. While I appreciate short and sweet, brevity isn't enough. This email was missing some critical information to know whether it was worth pursuing. I share my thoughts on what's missing, what you might want to do first if you receive a pitch like this and want to know more, and one thing that should be a non-negotiable.If you're sending pitches, you will also find some valuable information about what you should do before sending a pitch.Support & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ Chapters:(00:00) Opening and premise: dissecting a short pitch(00:29) Context: Mike Wilkerson and the email setup(00:50) Reading the pitch: promises and ambiguities(01:33) Interpreting the offer and potential models(02:42) Marketplace vs. middleman and dual-sided payment concerns(03:42) Advice: define terms like pay for performance and qualified guest(04:56) Audience fit matters: what qualifies a guest?(06:01) Do your homework: tailoring pitches to the show(06:29) Follow-up on prior promotion: results and takeaways(07:44) Call for submissions and closing notices

In a recent episode, I mentioned that I was going to test out a podcast promoter's services and share my findings. I've finished the test, and in this episode, I'll share the experiment, my findings, and if I think it's worth pursuing.Thank you to the Podhome.fm team for assisting me in gathering insights from analytics data that cannot be shared due to privacy concerns.Previous Episode: Will This Promotion Get Your Podcast Booted? My Three-Day Trial PlanBlog Post: Was 3 Days of Professional Podcast Promotion Worth It? Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress Test If you've ever wondered if one of those "Professional Podcast Promoters" could really deliver results, you won't want to miss this one.Listen as I reveal the results of a three-day promotion by a podcast promoter promising high rankings and a large organic audience. I explain how I secured my shows and Apple ID, worked with my media host (Podhome.fm) to track analytics, and share the outcome: my show quickly rose in the Apple Podcasts charts, hitting #1 in Education > How To, and daily downloads surged from 1–2 to 70–100 almost overnight.Analyzing the data, I found that the spike didn't seem organic. Podhome's patterns showed repeated downloads of the same episode from the same user IDs on Apple Podcasts, indicating possible manual download and deletion tactics. While the promoter technically delivered a #1 subcategory ranking, I don’t believe they delivered a real, targeted audience. I discuss why this kind of manipulation is a vanity metric at best, why advertisers would see it as a red flag, and what (if any) residual discovery benefit might remain. I wrap with my takeaways, why I declined a monthly contract, and what to consider if you’re tempted by similar pitches.There are some images included in the companion blog post. I encourage you to check them out.Support & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ Key Sections:(00:00) Introduction(00:29) About the Promoter(01:48) The State of the Show(02:58) Preparing to Promote(05:33) What Were the Results?(10:08) Key Takeaways(13:08) Was it Worth It?(16:01) What's Next?

What happens when a "Podcast Promoter" reaches out to a 20+ year podcasting veteran? That's what we're talking about today.Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress TestA "Podcast Promotion" offer landed in the inbox of my friend, Mike Wilkerson of the 2GuysTalking podcast network. I'll walk through the language, the repetition, and the red flags - especially the promises with no evidence of audience fit or long-term impact.If you've been wondering why offers like these often signal artificial download inflation rather than real listener growth, you'll want to hear this. And, in typical Mike fashion, he had a candid response, pushing back on the vague claims and questionable value.If that isn't enough, I also have an update on the service I mentioned in a previous episode and my efforts to test that service. Look for more updates in the future.Mentioned in this episode:2 Guys Talking Podcast NetworkThe Podcast GauntletSupport & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ 

I received a pitch via LinkedIn promising massive Apple Podcasts downloads, top chart rankings, and hundreds of five-star reviews. It seemed too good to be true, so I decided to reply to see what was going on.Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress TestI inquired about how keyword research and "IPs" could foster real, long-term growth but received vague responses, which made me worry about possible chart manipulation and fake downloads. I explain why I'm protective of my shows and the risks of being removed from directories.Here’s the twist: I’m planning to accept a three-day free trial to test their claims—no payment and full monitoring—so we can all see what happens. I outline my hypothesis, what success looks like, and how I will report on whether this approach leads to lasting impact or only temporary spikes.Support & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ (00:00) Opening: Bad Podcast Pitches and todays setup(01:17) I replied and received a response(01:44) Will this really grow an audience?(05:13) Protecting shows from chart-gaming schemes(06:14) The twist: agreeing to a three-day trial(07:04) Coordinating with hosting and safeguarding stats

Oh, that old chestnut? Yup. Here we  go again with a bad pitch from my Facebook Messages...Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps Download the Podcast Promotion Stress TestI received the same "podcast promoter" pitch multiple times in my inbox and DMs from different people over several months. I see several red flags, such as vague promises of "thousands of active listeners," secret groups, questionable SEO claims, a focus on SoundCloud growth, and unverified "targeted country" audiences. These offers can give misleading numbers that don't accurately represent your true listeners. Fake downloads and ratings might hurt your show's long-term success and lead to penalties in directories. I explain how I'm asking this promoter for specific details—proof of audience fit, methods, and outcomes. If you engage, make sure to ask for targeting information, portfolio examples, and verifiable reputation. I aim to help you quickly identify schemes, safeguard your show's integrity, and expand on key platforms like Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and trustworthy indie apps. If you’ve received a different bad pitch, send it my way so we can dissect it on a future episode.Support & ConnectSupport with traditional currencySupport with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected] Send in your bad pitches: [email protected] @[email protected] Live in the Pitch RoomThe Pitch Room (Live) | ChatCreate Your Own Show:How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/ Key Sections:(00:00) The recycled pitch returns(00:42) Have you heard this before?(01:41) This should be a red flag(03:30) Maybe ask questions like these(04:10) No more secrets!!!(07:34) Be part of the solution