Specific Passion Pitch
Earn attention with research, a narrow angle, and respect for the ask
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time to result
- ~days to results
- Steps
- 5
- Confidence
- 98%
Humphrey says he accepts some small-podcast invitations when the host clearly knows his work and proposes a particular area they passionately want to explore. He contrasts that with broad requests to discuss his journey, upbringing, highs, and lows. Bartlett adds that researched voice notes and explicit acknowledgement of the recipient's limited time rise in his message queue. The framework combines those observations into a reusable outreach sequence: research the recipient, select a narrow subject, show why it genuinely matters, make a proportionate request, and demonstrate awareness of the recipient's constraints. The aim is not performative personalization. It is to give the recipient evidence that the conversation will be prepared, distinctive, and worth the requested time.
Origin
Extracted from The Diary of a CEO
Core principles
- 01Specificity differentiates an ask from generic outreach
- 02Research demonstrates genuine interest
- 03A clear angle gives the recipient a reason to engage
- 04Respect for limited time improves the credibility of the request
How to run it
- 1
Research the recipient
Review enough of the person's work to identify a real detail, tension, or underexplored subject.
Pro tip Look beyond the first-page biography and most repeated interview questions.
Watch out Do not imply familiarity with work you have not actually reviewed.
- 2
Choose the angle
Define one focused topic and the question or value that makes it worth exploring now.
Pro tip A narrow, thoughtful angle can compensate for a small audience.
- 3
Show genuine passion
Explain briefly why you care about that specific topic and why this person is relevant to it.
Pro tip Use evidence from your own work or experience rather than generic praise.
- 4
Make a bounded ask
State exactly what you want, how much time it requires, and what format you propose.
Pro tip Acknowledge that the recipient may not have much time.
Watch out Do not hide a large commitment behind an apparently small request.
- 5
Remove generic filler
Delete questions that could be answered by a basic search or sent unchanged to any other person.
Pro tip Read the pitch from the recipient's crowded inbox.
In the wild
Humphrey says he has accepted interviews without a large audience when the host knew a lot about him and wanted to explore one particular area. The specific research and passion made the request different from a generic invitation to recount his journey.
→ Preparation and specificity create a credible reason to say yes despite limited reach.
Common mistakes
Asking for searchable basics
Questions answered by a profile, biography, or basic search signal that the sender has transferred all effort to the recipient.
Using a broad life-story pitch
Humphrey says generic requests about inspiration, upbringing, and career struggle fail to distinguish one podcast from many others.
Is it for you?
Best for
Podcast invitations, mentorship requests, interviews, and other cold asks where the recipient has many similar messages.
Not ideal for
Mass outreach that cannot honestly be researched and personalized for each recipient.
From the transcript
“make it really specific make it really passion based”
“the person has come to me known a lot about me and said i really want to explore this particular area with you”
From the episode
Lessons From 50 Of The Worlds Greatest Minds with Jake Humphrey