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How to Train for Rejection and Use It to Grow Your Podcast Faster | Alice Draper

Apr 17, 2025

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Still waiting to feel “ready” before you start pitching the guests or sponsors you really want?

In this episode, HuffPost contributor and media expert Alice Draper is back to show you the exact process she uses to turn rejection into a measurable growth strategy for your podcast. You’ll learn how to build your “rejection muscle,” set rejection goals that lead to more yeses, and use data from ignored or declined pitches to refine your messaging and land bigger and better opportunities.

So if you’ve been overthinking your pitch or convincing yourself you need a bigger audience before you can pitch bigger guests or sponsors—and you’re ready to be the kind of host people say yes to without hesitation—hit play and let’s dive in.

1:08 – The Surprising Growth That Can Happen When You Treat Rejection as a Strategy, Not a Setback

6:24 – How to Use Pitch Rejections to Improve Your Messaging

9:17 – A Simple Way to Make Your Pitches More Specific (and Stand Out)

12:24 – What it Really Means When No One Replies to Your Pitch (and How to Handle It)

14:15 – If Pitching Feels Intimidating Right Now, Here’s How to Take the Pressure Off

Episode Links:

Steal Alice’s pitch templates—the same ones that have helped her clients land interviews on 500+ top shows like WorkLife with Adam Grant.
Check Out Alice Draper’s Podcast: My Rejection Story
Learn More from Alice: hustlingwriters.com

Other Episodes You’ll Enjoy:

The Real Reason You’re Still Sitting on That Guest or Sponsor Pitch

→ This episode was recorded on the Deity VO-7U

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