PodPitch’s $0.02 PayPal Hack for Cold Outreach

PodPitch, a platform for booking podcast guest appearances, uses an unusual cold outreach strategy.

Instead of traditional emails, they send potential users $0.02 via PayPal with a pitch in the payment note. This guarantees the recipient sees the message.

A Micro-Payment Strategy That Stands Out

Cold emails are often ignored, but a PayPal payment demands attention. When someone receives money, they naturally check the transaction details, giving PodPitch a rare chance to introduce its service in a novel way.

This tactic also sparked discussions in marketing communities like /r/marketing, with some speculating the original post was guerrilla marketing. At just $0.02 per recipient, the method earned PodPitch exposure beyond its initial outreach list.

Cluttered Formatting and Weak Messaging Hurt the Pitch

While the PayPal payment ensures the message is seen, the execution weakens its impact. The note is too long, filled with unnecessary white space and emojis, making it difficult to skim. Instead of delivering a clear value proposition, the message feels cluttered and overwhelming.

A stronger approach would be:

“Get booked on top podcasts without spending hours on pitches — PodPitch automates this process for you.”

Or, keeping personalization intact while staying concise:

Ben, I came across Brightwork on LinkedIn and had to send you my two cents. Instead of spending $5K on ads, you could be landing guest spots on 10+ podcasts your customers already love—for free.

PodPitch makes it effortless. Our software finds, writes, and sends podcast pitches from your email. We've helped brands like Jack Links and MyFitnessPal get booked fast.

Give it 15 minutes—if it’s not worth your time, coffee’s on us.

👉 See how it works - https://podpitch.com/grow

— Neal, Cofounder of PodPitch📩 [email protected]

This campaign proves that creativity can capture attention, but without a clear, compelling message, visibility alone won’t drive results.

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