“I’m looking for a podcast editor”

That’s what someone posted as a member of a very large podcast-centric Facebook group.

What followed was a string of “Oh, pick me! Pick me!” comments or people saying “I can do it. I just PM’d you.“

Can you imagine being that guy?

Within 24 hours his post had 50+ comments asking to be contacted, saying they had messaged him, or asked for more information about the position.

I have a hard time managing all the messages I get in one day, much less all the PM’s this guy must have received!

Who looks for an editor on Facebook?

Consider the type of person who begins their search for an editor with a Facebook post. They likely have no idea what it takes to pay a competent podcast editor.

With all the competition being churned in that single post, it’s likely they will find someone less expensive than you. They don’t know the difference once a rate has been quoted.

When it comes to Facebook posts like this, how do you stand out in a crowd of hobbyist and people who “think” they know how to edit?

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3 Things When Prospecting on Facebook

If you want to actually land the client, you’ll need to be one of these three things:

Be first

If you’re going to comment on a “Looking for an editor” Facebook post, then you have to be first. You’ll need to spend all day on Facebook so you don’t miss being one of the first to comment, because anything after the first dozen responses gets lost in the soup.

But seriously, you don’t need to be on FB any more than you already are.

Be helpful

One way to stand out in Facebook groups is to answer questions.

Don’t be opinionated and don’t be rude. Remember: You are the expert and they are looking for your help. So don’t insult them by answering a Skype question with “Just use Squadcast”. That’s not helpful.

The more you participate in group conversations, the more familiar you will become to the members. Someone might give you a chance even before they type in the words “Looking for an editor.”

Have a website

What’s more professional than a well-designed website that shows you are a podcast editor?

You already know that comments with pictures are more engaging than plain text, so posting a link to your site (with preview image of your logo) might put you miles ahead of the competition. Just make sure the FB group allows this type of activity.

My opinion

I recommend you don’t play these kinds of Facebook games. However, there are many more benefits that come from being helpful and having a website. Do that regardless of prospecting for clients.

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What to have on your website

Make sure your website has at least these three pages visible in the menu bar:

• About
• Services
• Contact

ABOUT PAGE

Tell your story, but don’t make it too long. You can share personal tidbits, but try to get back to how you are excellent at what you do.

If you have a podcast, mention it – but don’t try to promote it here.

Put your profile picture here too. They don’t care what you look like, they just want to know there’s a human hiding behind the copy.

SERVICES

What do you offer? Make a short list with bullet points.

I’m torn on the “you should post your prices” argument. If you do, just make sure it’s easy to read and not confusing.

If you do share prices, break services into no more than five packages. You can customize the services after they contact you.

CONTACT

A quick little bio with your picture on this page wouldn’t hurt.

Definitely have a contact form so they can send you a message.

Do you have an online scheduling app? Link to it here.

You might also include all the social channels you’d like to be followed on.

…and don’t forget the HOME PAGE

Your website’s home page is the first impression.

I’ve seen great sites where everything lived on one page and went on for days. I’ve also seen some that were only a few mouse-scrolls long.

Here are three suggestions I have for your HOME page:

Offer samples: Create a “before and after” file or video to definitively demonstrate how you make a recording sound better. Keep it short and in a format you can post to your website or share quickly in an email.

Testimonials? YES! Those should be in the middle or bottom third of your landing page.

And third: Is “Theme designed by WordPress” in the footer? Get that out of there! #seriously

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Job Opportunities for Podcast Editors

Podcasters reach out to me for help with their shows.

Unfortunately, I can’t help everyone and they’re not always the right fit.

Fortunately, I can still help them find a good editor. The podcaster creates an online form, such as a Google Form, that acts as an online application.

Their “Job Opportunity” is then shared with members of the Podcast Editor Academy.

If the podcaster is looking for services Editor Academy members can’t fill, then I share it with my Facebook group, the Podcast Editors Club.

However, what often happens after the first 24 hours of posting to the Facebook group is the podcaster asks for the post to be taken down because they get 50+ responses. WOW!

Members of the Podcast Editor Academy have a better chance of getting the gig because there are fewer submissions to the podcaster’s form (and they clearly have the skills to provide a professional service).

Okay, back to Facebook…

When applying to the job opportunity

One advantage to prospecting through job opportunities posted on Facebook is that everyone has a chance to win the gig – even the 135th person who submitted an application or commented on their post.

When applying for these jobs, make sure your answers are succinct but thorough.

There will be keywords or specific answers they will be looking for, or numerical values used to filter people out such as your rate.

You want to be fair to yourself by not charging too little but also offer more value than the competition.

If they hire someone else because of a lower rate then you didn’t want this person as a client.

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Finally, don’t rely on Facebook

Don’t rely on Facebook to be the ONLY place you find all your clients. Try Instagram or LinkedIn too.

Social media outlets are a great place to market yourself. However, they are also an incredible time-suck.

Find the places where your ideal client hangs out and be there.

Don’t be pushy and definitely don’t spam people. People hate that. Don’t be that person 🙂

Over time you should be able to create your own market…that is to say a place where you stand out among your peers and begin getting recommendations that live outside of Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Use your time wisely, get to work, and land those new clients!