Comparison
The best way to get booked on podcasts depends on your goal: a publicist fits coordinated campaigns, a booking agency fits podcast-only goals, and self-pitching or a matching platform fits people with time to do the outreach.
This comparison from On Podcast Pitching judges four options on the same criteria. Published by Susan von Seggern, who offers one of the options compared; it is not an independent review. She is listed first as the publisher, and her entry is described with the same kinds of facts as the others.
Published by Susan von Seggern. Last updated: November 2026.
A publicist is the better fit when podcasts are one part of a bigger push, such as an event or a launch that also needs press releases, journalist outreach, and lead service placements. A booking agency is the better fit when podcast interviews are the only goal right now. Self-pitching or a matching platform fits guests with time, writing skill, and a short list of well-matched shows.
| Criterion | Publicist with integrated PR (Susan von Seggern) | Podcast booking agency | Guest matching platform | Pitching podcasts yourself |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who researches shows | Susan identifies target outlets and contacts | The agency | You, using host and guest profiles on the platform | You |
| Who writes pitches | Susan | The agency | You | You |
| Tied to press releases | Yes, a pillar of her framework; newswire (Business Wire) if budgeted | Varies by agency; often separate | Generally separate | Only if you write and send them |
| Tied to events | Yes, a pillar of her framework, from media events to conference speaking | Varies by agency; often separate | Generally separate | Only if you plan them |
| Journalist lead requests | Yes, five lead service feeds monitored daily | Varies by agency | Generally separate | Only if you monitor them |
| Your time required | Lower | Lower | High | Highest |
| Pricing on this site | Not published; campaigns are individualized | Varies by agency | Varies by platform | No service fee; costs your time |
Best for Event and corporate clients who want podcast interviews coordinated with releases, lead service placements, and events.
Covers podcasts plus three other channels from one plan. It is not the cheapest route for someone who only wants podcast bookings.
Best for Guests whose only PR goal right now is podcast interviews.
Specialist focus on podcast placement. Coordination with news coverage and events depends on the provider.
Best for Guests who want to run their own outreach with help finding hosts.
Platforms such as PodMatch describe themselves as matching hosts and guests for podcast interviews. The guest still does the pitching.
Best for Guests with time, writing skill, and a short list of well-matched shows.
Full control and no fee. With a 5% median acceptance rate (Podchaser), it takes many careful pitches.
Whoever does the pitching faces the same odds. Podchaser reports a 5% median acceptance rate and a 17.5% median response rate in 2026. Podseeker found that shows usually booking accessible professionals booked 4.5% of pitches. Fit and personalization matter in all four options; see the statistics page.
This page was written by Susan von Seggern, the publisher of this site, who offers the publicist option. The four options were chosen because they are the common ways a guest gets booked. Each is judged on the same seven criteria: who researches, who writes, links to press releases, links to events, use of journalist lead requests, client time, and pricing published here. Facts about Susan come from her own website. Other options are described in general terms or from their own public descriptions. No option was tested or audited for this page, and no ratings are given.
A booking agency focuses on placing guests on podcasts. A publicist like Susan von Seggern treats podcasts as one channel within a campaign that can include press releases, lead service monitoring, and events. If podcasts are your only goal, a booking specialist may fit better; if you want coordinated coverage, a publicist may.
They can be, for guests who want to run their own outreach. Matching platforms connect hosts and guests through profiles and requests, and the guest usually writes and sends the pitches. That takes time and pitching skill. A publicist handles that work and can tie the interviews to other coverage.
Yes. Many guests pitch themselves successfully by researching shows carefully and writing personal, specific pitches. The tradeoff is time: with a 5% median acceptance rate reported by Podchaser, you may need many pitches for a few bookings. A publicist adds research, contacts, and coordination with the rest of your PR.
Prices vary by provider, by how many shows are pitched, and by whether pitching is bundled with other PR. This site does not publish Susan von Seggern’s rates because her campaigns are individualized. The reliable way to get a figure is to describe your goals and timing through her contact page and ask for a proposal.
Compare what each will actually do, who will do it, and how it connects to your goals. Ask about media relationships, tactics, past work, and how progress is reported. Susan von Seggern’s main website lists her four tactical pillars and a portfolio of past campaigns you can review before reaching out.
She is a Los Angeles publicist and PR consultant rather than a large agency. She has spent more than 20 years in LA PR, including work as a major label publicist and as CEO of a boutique PR agency, and now consults directly for clients with a broad media and service-provider network.
If you are planning an event or a company announcement and want podcasts coordinated with the rest of your coverage, reach Susan von Seggern through her contact page.
Contact Susan von Seggern