Prepare for Launch
Kicking Off Your Freelance Podcast Consulting Business
Author: JoAnna Laskas, Account Manager for The Podcast Academy
Transitioning from a traditional job in podcasting to a freelance consultant can be daunting especially for seasoned veterans with experience in many aspects of the industry. You know what you can offer, but how do you articulate and quantify that in a way that will grab prospective clients’ attention and land you the gig?
Good news! There are things you have learned in podcasting that apply directly to starting your business:
It doesn’t matter how great the story is if you don’t have a strong structure.
Focus on an area that is missing or underrepresented in the marketplace.
You need a good editor.
Give ample time to the pre-production process so you launch with a polished product.
The tips below focus on the “pre-production” element of starting your freelance podcast consulting business.
1. Identify Your Niche and Services
Clearly define what services you plan to offer! Complete this exercise: reflect on your strengths and experiences in podcasting by detailing your expertise in each of the below buckets. Take a deep dive with this brainstorming session, writing down everything that is relevant to each bucket. Take special care to articulate specific examples of success. This document will be a visual aid for choosing a niche that aligns with your expertise and market demand.
Podcast Production: Editing, sound design, and mixing.
Content Strategy: Episode planning, scripting, and storytelling.
Marketing and Promotion: Social media strategies, SEO, and audience engagement.
Launch Services: Helping new podcasters with setup, branding, and distribution.
Monetization: Advising on sponsorships, ads, and other revenue streams.
Now go through and highlight every instance you wrote down where you have a specific example of success. These will become your case studies which are key when courting prospective clients – everyone wants to see proof of results.
You probably have expertise in many of these areas, which is common for freelancers today. However, focusing on one or two specific specialties will help you stand out in a crowded market. Choose areas where you not only have deep knowledge but also have several notable case studies to showcase your success.
2. Create Your Portfolio Pieces
A strong portfolio demonstrates your capabilities and helps build credibility. Develop the below items for use in the next step (building your brand).
Case Studies: It’s time to prove your expertise. Remember the case studies from your brainstorming session? Elaborate on each using the following format:
Give an overview of the case study.
Define the problem/challenge you were tasked with.
Define why this seemed hard for your client (or former employer).
Tell how you solved the problem and made it easy.
Do you have quantifiable results from your work? Share those here.
Client Testimonials: Gather testimonials from previous colleagues or clients. Positive reviews from industry professionals significantly boost your credibility.
Showcase Your Work: Include samples of podcasts you’ve worked on. Highlight all positive aspects that are relevant to one of the aforementioned buckets.
3. Build Your Brand
Your brand identity is crucial for attracting clients.
Name and Logo: Choose a professional business name and create a logo that reflects your brand.
Website: Develop a website showcasing your services, portfolio, client testimonials, and contact information. Platforms like Squarespace, or Wix are affordable, intuitive, and offer templates to get you started.
Social Media Presence: In order to establish authority in your niche, create a professional profile on LinkedIn – this will be a primary place to share content related to your niche.
Capabilities Deck: Create a general presentation to showcase your business.
Section 1: Introduction
Page 1: your name, logo, website
Page 2: best client testimonial
Page 3: overview of your company/you
Section 2: Case studies
Include at least 3 case studies here that each solve a different problem.
Section 3: How you/your company is different
You must be able to define how you stand out from others. Why would a client work with you vs. any other freelance consultant they are meeting?
Section 4: Next steps
What are the next steps for a prospective client to engage with you (hint: make it easy).
And of course end with a thank you page.
4. Edit! Edit! Edit!
Chances are, your first pass of the above content is way too long and goes far too deep into the weeds. You love what you have put together and can not imagine where you could trim information. But your industry friends can! Hand your capabilities deck over to a trusted colleague and get them to tighten up your messages.
5. Define Your Pricing Structure
Clients’ needs vary and your pricing model should be flexible to accommodate these varying needs. Establish a pricing structure, and then adapt it so you can offer clients multiple ways to engage with you.
Hourly Rate: Charge by the hour for tasks like editing or light consulting.
Project-Based: Set a fixed price for complete projects, such as launching a new podcast.
Retainer Model: Offer ongoing services for a monthly fee. This is ideal for clients who need regular support.
Don’t price yourself out of the market! Tap into your network to research market rates and ensure your pricing reflects your expertise and the value you provide.
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Following these steps will help you establish a solid foundation for launching your business and positioning yourself as a leading expert in your niche. However, there is still more to learn. Stay tuned for future blog posts on the following topics:
The “paperwork” aspects of starting your freelance consulting company – legally establishing your business, documenting your contracts, defining your project management plan, and overall handling accounting and invoicing.
Networking and marketing your services.
How to stay adaptable and open to new opportunities and trends in the ever-evolving podcast industry.
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JoAnna is a Senior Project Management professional with extensive experience launching and growing businesses in both the private and the not-for-profit sectors across various segments of the entertainment industry. Find JoAnna on LinkedIn.