S3 97. Feeling Stuck While Others Thrive? Here’s How to Actually Land Podcast Opportunities
Ever feel like everyone else is getting podcast opportunities but you? Sponsorships, speaking engagements, media features, awards - you keep seeing other creators win them while you’re stuck wondering, What am I missing?
This episode breaks down the real reasons you might not be landing those dream podcast opportunities—and it has nothing to do with talent. If you want to build a reputation in your niche, get recognized by your peers, or monetize your podcast through visibility, this episode is a must-listen.
🎧 Perfect for:
Podcasters who are ready to grow their platform, attract professional opportunities, and get unstuck from comparison or imposter syndrome.
Chapters:
00:00 – Feeling Behind While Others Get Ahead
01:45 – Why Mindset Keeps Podcasters Stuck
03:20 – How Fear of Rejection Impacts Your Actions
04:33 – Reaching Out Strategically (Email + LinkedIn Tips)
06:18 – What Consistent Action REALLY Looks Like
07:12 – Building Credibility Over Time (Not Overnight)
09:00 – How to Stay Generous Without Getting Bitter
10:25 – Quick Recap & Next Steps
Stop Waiting for Podcast Success—Start Pitching
Here’s the truth: the vast majority of people you see on speaker panels, winning awards, or landing podcast sponsorships didn’t just “get discovered.”
They applied. They pitched. They followed up. While it’s tempting to assume everyone else is being picked while you’re passed over, what’s actually happening is they’re consistently putting themselves forward.
The real reason you’re not seeing the results you want - it’s probably not your show’s quality. It’s that you’re hesitating to hit “send” on that email - consistently. Whether it’s pitching for a feature, applying for an award, or asking a guest to come on your show, the barrier isn’t skill—it’s action.
Winning Mindset > Magic
Most podcasters, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, experience imposter syndrome, fear of ‘taking up space’, or the pressure to be “ready” before taking action. But waiting for perfection is a trap. Those feelings will always show up, they’re normal but they must be challenged if you want to grow.
You can’t control whether someone says yes, but you can control how often you show up, speak up, and share what you do.
If you’re not being vocal about your podcasting goals, no one else can advocate for you. Your mindset could be the bottleneck but taking consistent action will get you to where you need to be.
Not a fan of cold emailing? Try building connections instead
Cold emailing might sound intimidating, but it’s often the fastest path to real opportunities.
But if cold outreach isn't your thing, you still have options.
LinkedIn is a powerful, underused tool for podcasters. It allows you to build relationships with the very people making decisions about speaking opportunities, sponsorships, and partnerships.
In the episode, you’ll learn how to use social platforms intentionally, how to approach “decision-makers” without feeling transactional, and how to research relevant events using tools like ChatGPT to generate lists of conferences and awards aligned with your niche. The barrier to entry is lower than you think - you just need to take the first step.
Build a Reputation, Not Just an Audience
Now, success in podcasting isn’t about having the most followers—it’s about longevity.
In fact, most podcasters (around 9%), never make it to episode 50, which makes podcasting a blue ocean strategy!
And that takes time. If you’ve pivoted into podcasting from another industry, it’s easy to feel like you’re playing catch-up. But rather than resenting those with more experience, use that as fuel to build your unique angle and deepen your industry connections.
Creators can strategically grow their authority by collaborating with others, speaking up about what they’re building, and showing up where their peers are hanging out online. But also remember: having a different background can actually be your competitive edge—it gives you a fresh voice in a saturated market.
Play the Long Game, But Play It Loud
This episode isn’t just about action—it’s about attitude. In the episode I’m sharing a personal story of applying to speak at a podcast conference and recommending the same opportunity to four peers - and following up to ensure they didn’t experience impostor syndrome and…they all got accepted while I didn’t. But instead of feeling defeated, I decided to celebrate their success and continued building the industry up.
This is what it looks like to play the long game with generosity. When you build good karma in your industry, the right people take notice. Collaborative visibility and authenticity always win in the long term - and that’s why supporting others won't steal your opportunities, it will multiply them.
If you're feeling stuck, the solution might not be working harder—it might be working smarter. Start by asking yourself:
Are you applying or pitching for what you actually want?
Are you intentionally nurturing relationships—not just online, but in real life?
Are you giving yourself enough time to build a reputation that opens doors?
Opportunities go to those who ask, show up consistently, and uplift others in the process.
Related content mentioned in the episode:
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
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ABOUT THE HOST
Hi, I’m Ana Xavier, a multilingual award-winning podcast marketing and content strategist specialized in generating online visibility for women, multilingual, and minority impact-driven business owners.
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