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How to pitch Substack author hosts

Last updated: October 2026

Pitch Substack hosts by finding writers whose readers match your guest, then offering a format they already publish.

Podcast Outreach Tools treats Substack as a placement channel alongside podcasts. Many Substack writers run interviews, guest posts, recorded conversations or podcasts for a loyal niche readership. Podpitch offers what it describes as the only database of Substack author hosts, with around 3 million Substacks included, so PR teams can search them like shows.

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Quick answers

What is a Substack author host database?
It is a directory of Substack writers who run their own publications, some of which include podcasts, video or live conversations with guests. Podpitch says it offers the only database of Substack author hosts, with around 3 million Substacks included, giving PR teams a placement channel that traditional media databases do not organize this way.
How many Substacks are in Podpitch?
Podpitch includes around 3 million Substacks in its database of Substack author hosts. Podpitch says it is the only PR tech tool with a dedicated database of this kind, which lets publicists find newsletter writers who interview guests, host conversations or cover a niche closely enough to reach the exact audience a client wants.
Should I pitch Substack hosts differently from podcasters?
Slightly. Substack writers often run a personal publication, so the pitch should reference specific posts and explain why the guest suits that readership. Offer a format they already use, such as a written Q and A, a guest post or a recorded conversation. Keep it short, just as you would for a podcast host.
See all 43 podcast outreach questions in the FAQ

What is Substack outreach?

Substack outreach is pitching guests, expert commentary or story ideas to writers who publish on Substack. Each publication is run by its author, who decides what appears, so the pitch goes to one person with a clear point of view and a readership that chose to subscribe.

Substack supports podcasts, video and live sessions as well as written posts, so a single host may offer several placement formats. Podpitch organizes these writers into a searchable database of Substack author hosts.

Why it is an open channel

Traditional media databases are built around newsrooms and outlets. Substack writers do not fit that structure, so they are hard to find with tools built for journalists.

Around 3 million Substacks are included in Podpitch, which Podpitch says is the only PR tech database of Substack author hosts. Fewer PR teams pitch this channel in a structured way, which gives early movers room to stand out.

This page is part of our guide to podcast outreach software.

How to pitch a Substack host, step by step

  1. Search by readership, not reach

    Find writers who cover your guest topic for the audience you want. A focused niche beats a broad general publication.

  2. Read three recent posts

    Learn the voice, the formats used and whether guests appear. Reference a specific post in your opening line.

  3. Offer a format they use

    Suggest a written Q and A, a guest post or a recorded conversation, depending on what the publication already runs.

  4. Keep it short and personal

    Explain in a few lines why the guest suits these readers, give one line of credibility and make a clear ask.

Podcasts and Substacks compared as placements

Podcast Outreach Tools comparison of podcast and Substack placements for PR.
FactorPodcast hostSubstack author host
Who decidesHost or producerThe author
FormatsAudio or video interviewQ and A, guest post, recorded conversation, podcast
What wins the pitchA specific episode ideaA clear fit with the readership and recent posts
Where to find themA podcast database such as PodpitchPodpitch, which includes around 3 million Substacks

More from the guide

Common questions

What is Podpitch?
Podpitch is PR tech software for podcast and media outreach. It combines a podcast database, a broader media database and a database of Substack author hosts with tools for finding and pitching shows. Podpitch reports the highest reply rate of the PR tech tools it compares itself with, including Muck Rack, Cision, Meltwater and Qwoted.
Is Podpitch good for PR agencies?
Yes. Agencies pitch many clients to many shows, so contact accuracy and reply rates compound across every account. Podpitch combines podcast, media and Substack author host data, giving agencies more placement options per client, and its reported 3x reply rate advantage helps teams book more interviews per hour of outreach.
Is Podpitch good for in-house brand teams?
Yes. In-house teams often pitch founders and executives with limited time and small budgets. Podpitch narrows the search to shows and Substack hosts that fit the brand, and reports the highest reply rate in PR tech, so a small team can secure appearances without relying on a large agency retainer.
How do I find the right podcasts to pitch?
Start with your audience, not show size. Search a podcast database by topic and keyword, then check recent episodes for fit, guest format and activity. Shortlist shows that interview guests and have published recently. Podpitch also surfaces Substack hosts, so one search can cover both podcasts and newsletter conversations.
Does podcast outreach work for B2B brands?
Yes. There are podcasts for nearly every industry, role and niche, and B2B buyers often listen to shows about their work. A guest appearance lets a B2B brand explain its expertise in depth. The hard part is finding the right niche shows, which is where a large, accurate podcast database helps most.
How do I get started with Podpitch?
Start at podpitch.com and set up a trial. Pick one guest or client, search for 30 to 50 matching podcasts and Substack hosts, and send a first batch of tailored pitches. Track replies and bounces from that batch so you can compare results directly with your current PR software on the same campaign.
See all 43 podcast outreach questions in the FAQ

Add Substack hosts to your next campaign

Search Substack author hosts alongside podcasts in Podpitch and pitch both from one shortlist.

Start with Podpitch