Bad Podcast Pitches
Bad Podcast Pitches

Bad Podcast Pitches

Bryan Entzminger

Overview
Episodes

Details

There are tons of bad pitches out there. Listen to the bad ones to recognize them when you receive them and avoid sending them yourself.

Recent Episodes

A Podcast Promoter Wants to Promote For a 20+ Year Podcast Veteran
DEC 2, 2025
A Podcast Promoter Wants to Promote For a 20+ Year Podcast Veteran
What happens when a "Podcast Promoter" reaches out to a 20+ year podcasting veteran? That's what we're talking about today.<br /><br /><p><strong>Subscribe &amp; Follow<br /></strong><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/fountain" target="_blank">Fountain</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/truefans" target="_blank">TrueFans</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/podcastguru" target="_blank">Podcast Guru</a> | <a href="https://pod.link/1839506799" target="_blank">Other apps</a>&nbsp;</p><br /><br />A "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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>Mentioned in this episode:</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="https://2guystalking.com/" target="_blank">2 Guys Talking Podcast Network</a></li><li><a href="https://podcastgauntlet.com/" target="_blank">The Podcast Gauntlet</a></li></ul><br /><strong>Support &amp; Connect</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/support" target="_blank">Support with traditional currency</a></li><li><a href="https://getalby.com/p/bdentzy" target="_blank">Support with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected]&nbsp;</a></li><li>Send in your bad pitches: [email protected]</li><li>Mastodon <a href="https://mastodon.social/@badpitches" target="_blank">@[email protected]</a></li></ul><strong>Listen Live in the Pitch Room</strong><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/live/" target="_blank">The Pitch Room (Live)</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/chat" target="_blank">Chat</a><br /><br /><strong>Create Your Own Show:</strong><br />How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.<br /><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/" target="_blank">https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/</a>&nbsp;
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7 MIN
Will This Promotion Get Your Podcast Booted? My Three-Day Trial Plan
NOV 25, 2025
Will This Promotion Get Your Podcast Booted? My Three-Day Trial Plan
<p>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.<br /><br /><p><strong>Subscribe &amp; Follow<br /></strong><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/fountain" target="_blank">Fountain</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/truefans" target="_blank">TrueFans</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/podcastguru" target="_blank">Podcast Guru</a> | <a href="https://pod.link/1839506799" target="_blank">Other apps</a>&nbsp;</p><br /><br />I 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><strong>Support &amp; Connect</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/support" target="_blank">Support with traditional currency</a></li><li><a href="https://getalby.com/p/bdentzy" target="_blank">Support with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected]&nbsp;</a></li><li>Send in your bad pitches: [email protected]</li><li>Mastodon <a href="https://mastodon.social/@badpitches" target="_blank">@[email protected]</a></li></ul><strong>Listen Live in the Pitch Room</strong><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/live/" target="_blank">The Pitch Room (Live)</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/chat" target="_blank">Chat</a><br /><br /><strong>Create Your Own Show:</strong><br />How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.<br /><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/" target="_blank">https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/</a>&nbsp;<br /><br /><p>(00:00) Opening: Bad Podcast Pitches and todays setup</p><p>(01:17) I replied and received a response</p><p>(01:44) Will this really grow an audience?</p><p>(05:13) Protecting shows from chart-gaming schemes</p><p>(06:14) The twist: agreeing to a three-day trial</p><p>(07:04) Coordinating with hosting and safeguarding stats</p></p>
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8 MIN
Hello. I am a Podcast Promoter. I have 7 years of experience in podcast promotion (again)
OCT 15, 2025
Hello. I am a Podcast Promoter. I have 7 years of experience in podcast promotion (again)
<p>Oh, that old chestnut? Yup. Here we&nbsp; go again with a bad pitch from my Facebook Messages...<br /><br /><p><strong>Subscribe &amp; Follow<br /></strong><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/fountain" target="_blank">Fountain</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/truefans" target="_blank">TrueFans</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/podcastguru" target="_blank">Podcast Guru</a> | <a href="https://pod.link/1839506799" target="_blank">Other apps</a>&nbsp;</p><br /><br />I 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.&nbsp;<br /><br />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.&nbsp;<br /><br />If you’ve received a different bad pitch, send it my way so we can dissect it on a future episode.<br /><br /><strong>Support &amp; Connect</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/support" target="_blank">Support with traditional currency</a></li><li><a href="https://getalby.com/p/bdentzy" target="_blank">Support with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected]&nbsp;</a></li><li>Send in your bad pitches: [email protected]</li><li>Mastodon <a href="https://mastodon.social/@badpitches" target="_blank">@[email protected]</a></li></ul><strong>Listen Live in the Pitch Room</strong><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/live/" target="_blank">The Pitch Room (Live)</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/chat" target="_blank">Chat</a><br /><br /><strong>Create Your Own Show:</strong><br />How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.<br /><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/" target="_blank">https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/</a>&nbsp;<br /><br />Key Sections:<br /><p>(00:00) The recycled pitch returns</p><p>(00:42) Have you heard this before?</p><p>(01:41) This should be a red flag</p><p>(03:30) Maybe ask questions like these</p><p>(04:10) No more secrets!!!</p><p>(07:34) Be part of the solution</p></p>
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9 MIN
I am a professional Podcast promoter and Expert in digital marketing. (again)
OCT 6, 2025
I am a professional Podcast promoter and Expert in digital marketing. (again)
Another podcast promoter reaching out in my Facebook messages. We're going to look at the pitch, talk through some red flags. And I'm thinking of taking this one in a little different direction.<br /><br /><p><strong>Subscribe &amp; Follow<br /></strong><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/fountain" target="_blank">Fountain</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/truefans" target="_blank">TrueFans</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/podcastguru" target="_blank">Podcast Guru</a> | <a href="https://pod.link/1839506799" target="_blank">Other apps</a>&nbsp;</p><br /><br />[AI Assisted Content]<br /><br />I analyze a typical copy-and-paste pitch from a "professional podcast promoter" that claims to offer 100% real organic growth, large audiences, guaranteed downloads, and ratings and reviews. I break down the red flags:&nbsp;<br /><ul><li>Lack of personalization</li><li>Outdated platform claims (SoundCloud and the iTunes Store)</li><li>Vague “expert in Apple/Spotify/YouTube” assertions</li><li>Vanity metrics that don’t reflect true audience fit</li></ul>I’ll explain why these offers are risky. “Guaranteed” downloads often depend on controlled or incentivized behavior, and claims of being “100% safe” are misleading—platforms can and will penalize manipulation.&nbsp;<br /><br />I also share practical guidance for legitimate growth:<br /><ul><li>Focus on content that meets a real audience need</li><li>Prioritize genuine discovery over flimsy SEO wins</li><li>Consider ethical cross‑promotion and paid ads</li><li>Avoid hockey‑stick growth schemes until you know your show is solid (or maybe just avoid them altogether...)</li></ul>I plan to (respectfully) engage the pitcher to learn what’s happening behind the scenes—without naming or shaming—and invite you to contribute your own bad pitches or share the show with someone who’ll find it helpful.<br /><br /><strong>Support &amp; Connect</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/support" target="_blank">Support with traditional currency</a></li><li><a href="https://getalby.com/p/bdentzy" target="_blank">Support with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected]&nbsp;</a></li><li>Send in your bad pitches: [email protected]</li><li>Mastodon <a href="https://mastodon.social/@badpitches" target="_blank">@[email protected]</a></li></ul><strong>Listen Live in the Pitch Room</strong><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/live/" target="_blank">The Pitch Room (Live)</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/chat" target="_blank">Chat</a><br /><br /><strong>Create Your Own Show:</strong><br />How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.<br /><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/" target="_blank">https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/</a>&nbsp;<br /><br /><p>(00:00) Opening and show premise: Bad Podcast Pitches</p><p>(00:39) Reading the scammy pitch: bold claims and emojis</p><p>(01:41) Spotting copyandpaste scams and lack of personalization</p><p>(02:58) Debunking expert in Apple, SoundCloud, Spotify</p><p>(03:43) What really grows a podcast: content and basic SEO</p><p>(05:15) Organic audience, vanity metrics, and misaligned listeners</p><p>(06:31) Promised downloads, ratings, reviews: how they fake results</p><p>(07:31) Why 100% safe is the biggest lie</p><p>(09:39) Value for value: contributions and sharing the show</p><br /><br /><p> - <a href="https://gravatar.com/bdentzy" target="_blank" >Bryan Entzminger</a></p>
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10 MIN
Hello. I am a Podcast Promoter. I have 7 years of experience in...
SEP 29, 2025
Hello. I am a Podcast Promoter. I have 7 years of experience in...
<p>This week's bad pitch comes from my Facebook DMs. It starts with "Hello. I am a Podcast Promoter. I have 7 years of experience in..."<br /><br />Let's take a look at this and find the good, the bad, and the (ummm... really bad) without naming or shaming the sender.<br /><br /><p><strong>Subscribe &amp; Follow<br /></strong><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/fountain" target="_blank">Fountain</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/truefans" target="_blank">TrueFans</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/podcastguru" target="_blank">Podcast Guru</a> | <a href="https://pod.link/1839506799" target="_blank">Other apps</a>&nbsp;</p><br /><strong>Episode Page:</strong><br /><p><a href="https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/bad-podcast-pitches/hello-i-am-a-podcast-promoter-i-have-7-years-of-experience-in" target="_blank" >https://serve.podhome.fm/episodepage/bad-podcast-pitches/hello-i-am-a-podcast-promoter-i-have-7-years-of-experience-in</a></p><br /><br />[AI Generated Content]<br /><br />In this episode of Bad Podcast Pitches, I unpack a spammy Facebook DM promising “thousands of real, active listeners,” SEO magic, and top chart placements. I walk through each claim—from mass email lists and “secret groups,” to VPN “targeted country” listeners and manufactured ratings—and explain why many of these tactics may be technically true yet fundamentally misleading. I outline what’s plausible (paid download farms, inflated numbers, questionable SEO) versus what’s risky (gaming charts, low-quality audiences, potential platform penalties) and why these services almost never deliver the specific audience your show actually needs.<br /><br />I also share practical indicators to help you spot similar scams, including outdated platform references (iTunes Store), reliance on SoundCloud stats, vague guarantees, and promises of unique subscribers and rankings. I invite your thoughts and bad pitch examples for future breakdowns and tease another questionable pitch I’ll analyze next time.<br /><br /><strong>Support &amp; Connect</strong><br /><ul><li><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/support" target="_blank">Support with traditional currency</a></li><li><a href="https://getalby.com/p/bdentzy" target="_blank">Support with Bitcoin/Lightning: [email protected]&nbsp;</a></li><li>Send in your bad pitches: [email protected]</li><li>Mastodon <a href="https://mastodon.social/@badpitches" target="_blank">@[email protected]</a></li></ul><strong>Listen Live in the Pitch Room</strong><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/live/" target="_blank">The Pitch Room (Live)</a> | <a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/chat" target="_blank">Chat</a><br /><br /><strong>Create Your Own Show:</strong><br />How I create this show, including tools, software, and the gear I use.<br /><br /><a href="https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/" target="_blank">https://badpodcastpitches.com/tools/</a>&nbsp;<br /><br /><strong>Chapters:</strong><br /><p>(00:00) Opening and Today's Bad Pitch Teaser</p><p>(00:09) Show intro: What Bad Podcast Pitchers is about</p><p>(00:48) The spammy Facebook DM pitch</p><p>(01:06) Reading the full pitch claims</p><p>(02:00) True but misleading</p><p>(02:53) Are they really your target audience?</p><p>(03:35) Secret groups and the fuzzy role of SEO in podcasts</p><p>(04:25) Real and active listeners vs. target listeners</p><p>(05:01) Promised results: downloads, subscribers, and why it's hollow</p><p>(06:07) Unique subscribers, targeted countries, and VPN doubts</p><p>(06:24) Gaming charts: rankings, reviews, and platform risks</p><p>(07:15) Platform red flags: iTunes Store and SoundCloud</p><p>(08:06) Value-for-value, feedback, and how to support</p><p>(09:17) Closing and what's next</p></p>
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9 MIN