Bad Podcast Pitches

What Happens When a Podcaster Promoter Promotes For You?

Ever get pitched on explosive podcast growth only to feel something isn’t right? Subscribe & FollowFountain | TrueFans | Podcast Guru | Other apps I 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: bdentzy@getalby.com Send in your bad pitches: pitches@badpodcastpitches.comMastodon @BadPitches@mastodon.socialListen 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

Is This Podcast Promotion Too Good to Be True?

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 Key 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: bdentzy@getalby.com Send in your bad pitches: pitches@badpodcastpitches.comMastodon @BadPitches@mastodon.socialListen 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

I’ll close the loop here for now...

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 Get 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: bdentzy@getalby.com Send in your bad pitches: pitches@badpodcastpitches.comMastodon @BadPitches@mastodon.socialListen 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

In case you missed my last message...

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 Unsolicited 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: bdentzy@getalby.com Send in your bad pitches: pitches@badpodcastpitches.comMastodon @BadPitches@mastodon.socialListen 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

A Confusing Podcast Pitch That Wasn't A pitch

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 I'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: bdentzy@getalby.com Send in your bad pitches: pitches@badpodcastpitches.comMastodon @BadPitches@mastodon.socialListen 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/