So, you’ve found the perfect podcast for your client, or you're teaming up with a co-host for a new show. That's great. But before you hit record, there's one crucial step that separates professional campaigns from amateur ones: getting the agreement in writing.
A handshake is nice, but a clear, simple podcast partnership agreement prevents headaches, confusion, and potential "it's complicated" situations down the road. It doesn't need to be a 50-page legal document written in Latin. It just needs to outline who does what, who owns what, and how things will work.
This guide will break down the essential clauses every simple podcast agreement should have, and we'll give you a free, copy-pasteable template you can use for your next guest booking or collaboration.
Why You Need a Podcast Agreement in the First Place
A podcast agreement isn't about mistrust; it's about clarity. Its main purpose is to make sure everyone is on the same page from the start.
A good agreement defines:
- Roles and Responsibilities: Who is responsible for editing, promotion, scheduling, etc.?
- Content Ownership: Who owns the final episode? What can each party do with it?
- Monetization (If Applicable): How is any revenue from sponsorships or ads shared?
- Expectations: What is the guest expected to provide? What is the host expected to do?
Getting this down on paper protects both the host and the guest, ensuring a smooth and professional collaboration.
Key Sections to Include in Your Podcast Partnership Agreement
A simple agreement for a guest appearance or a collaboration should cover a few key areas. Here’s what you need.
1. The Basics: Parties & Podcast Details
Start with the simple stuff. Clearly state the names of all parties involved (e.g., the guest's name, the host's name, the name of the podcast). Include the planned recording date and the expected release timeframe for the episode.
2. Content & Usage Rights
This is probably the most important part. You need to define who can do what with the final episode.
- Ownership: Typically, the podcast host/production company owns the copyright to the final, edited episode.
- Guest's Rights: The guest should be given the right to use the episode for their own promotional purposes (e.g., sharing on social media, adding it to their website's press page).
- Promotional Responsibilities: Outline what is expected from each party. Will the guest share the episode with their email list? Will the host tag the guest in all social posts?
3. Deliverables & Responsibilities
Clearly list what each person is responsible for.
- For the Guest: This might include providing a headshot, a short bio, key talking points, and promoting the episode upon release.
- For the Host: This might include handling all editing and production, providing the guest with the final audio file, and promoting the episode across their channels.
4. The "Just in Case" Clause (Cancellations & Content Removal)
What happens if something goes wrong? A simple clause can cover this. Outline the process for cancellations or rescheduling. You may also want to include a "takedown" clause that specifies the conditions under which a guest could request their episode be removed (this is rare, but good to have).
Free Podcast Guest Agreement Template
This is a simple, straightforward template designed for a standard podcast guest appearance. It's not a substitute for legal advice from a lawyer, but it's a great starting point for clear communication.
Simple Podcast Guest Agreement
1. The Parties
This Agreement is between [Guest Name] ("Guest") and [Podcast Host/Company Name] ("Host"), for an appearance on the podcast titled [Podcast Name].
2. The Appearance
- Recording Date: [Date of Recording]
- Episode Topic: The interview will cover [Briefly describe the topic, e.g., "the client's expertise in B2B SaaS marketing"].
3. Content Rights & Promotion
- The Host shall own the copyright to the final recorded episode.
- The Guest grants the Host the right to use their name, likeness, and bio for the production and promotion of the episode.
- The Host grants the Guest the right to use and share the final episode for their own personal and professional promotional purposes.
- Both parties agree to promote the episode upon its release on their respective relevant channels (e.g., LinkedIn, Twitter, email newsletter).
4. Responsibilities
- The Guest Agrees To: Provide a professional headshot and a short bio by [Date].
- The Host Agrees To: Handle all audio editing and production, and provide the Guest with a link to the final episode upon publication.
5. Cancellations
If either party needs to reschedule, they agree to provide at least [e.g., 48 hours] notice, except in cases of emergency.
Before the Agreement, Find the Right Partner
Of course, an agreement is only useful after you've found the right podcast to partner with. The success of any collaboration depends on finding a show with an audience that aligns with your goals. Trying to find these shows manually can be a huge drain on your time.
The Podseeker Shortcut: We built Podseeker to solve this exact problem. Our podcast search tool allows you to filter 3M+ shows by specific topics, keywords, audience size, and whether they actively feature guests. Our comprehensive podcast database gives you the insights and verified contact information you need to vet shows and build a targeted outreach list.
Once you find the perfect partner on Podseeker, you'll be ready to reach out and use an agreement like this to formalize a great partnership.
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