Hi Podlets and troopers, in this week’s episode, I wanted to share to you the 3 things I discovered and learned from an encounter with a ‘Not Fit Client’ sa upwork.
So here is the scenario, I received an invitation for podcast growth project to a newly launch podcast show.
The prospect said:
Hello!
I'd like to personally invite you to apply to my job.
Please review the job post and apply if you're available.
George.
Since inbound ito, I applied na rin, kasi I am practicing my offer roadmap, and since sa Upwork, I already have an idea of the problem and the need so I applied sa posts.
My proposal or cover letter is very short.
Hi George,
I can look at what has been working for your podcast and what needs to be improved.
Since you got 7 episodes only, once we decided to work together I will audit your podcast's backend to see your data.
The latest that I saw is through my search is that Listennotes [which is the podcast platform that claims they are THE GOOGLE SEARCH for podcast] showed that your podcast already belonged to the top 10% most popular shows out of 2,831,329 podcasts globally visit this link if you want to see,https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/automation-hangout-george-ukkuru-iKXL3ZmC1ts/
With that traction, we can update your podcast media kit so that when you visit other podcasts you have something that can entice them, traction that is unique to your space.
Just a top-of-mind suggestion.
Looking forward to a further conversation with you George.
Tapos within 12 hrs nagreply na sya asking how many hours will I need to do the work saka something about scope.
Kaya what I did is I made an offer roadmap - which is a graphical presentation of how I plan to growth his podcast. Para itong illustrated process of the how’s.
This includes the problem, what is his point a to b, plus my step by step process for me to help the client move from being a newly launch podcast to a listener centric podcast na ready for growth.
You see guys sa tagal ko na sa podcast service, I have learned through handling multiple projects that growth is really dependent how solid you set your podcast pillar and podcasting. Kumbaga kailangan mo magstart ng tama, para yung succeeding effort mo, will help you go to your point B.
So yun nga yung inilagay ko, breaking my process into 2 phases, Phase 1 is audit then Phase 2 is the Done with the Client implementation nung mga suggested strategy.
So guess what, kasama with my plan of action and process nilagay ko din ang rates to deliver this action items.
Phase 1 which is the audit cost one-time USD999 and the Phase 2 is around USD2500 for a 3 month implementation.
The prospect being so judgmental told me na ‘overpriced’ ako and that my rate is higher than the top podcast agencies that he knows.
Yes, I agree na valid yung objection nya kasi as a business owner he has a set budget. Pero to question a person’s expertise dahil lang hindi mo sila afford is something that I consder redflag.
And here is the 3 things I learned from this experience.
Takeaway No.1: I dictate the value of my service through the results I can bring to them. Naniniwala ako na my rate is not overpriced kasi ito ay backed by my own experience built over the years plus the results I gave my other clients.
Takeaway No2. I am a grown up freelancer/ business owner. That despite the prospect being so judgemental, I can still respond very professional kahit gigil na gigil na nga ako. Yung tipong ikaw na nga ang walang pambayad, mapanakit pa yung dila mo, to measure a person’s value low kasi hindi mo sila afford.
I was telliing this to my husband earlier, and he has a very wise analogy.
Sabe nya isipin ko na lang na yung prospect ay someone na sanay na sanay bumili ng telepono na China Phone or china brand, or sabihin na natin na low quality brands. Tapos alukan or pakitaan mo sya ng Iphone or apple product, hindi ba mahal from his perspective and malamang maghahanap sya ng something or a reason not to buy, kasi nga sanay sya sa presyuhang China Phone. Without him comparing the Apple features na wala sa China phone. Sasabihin pa daw nung tao na panget kasi hindi katulad ng nakasanayan na brand.
Shooutout sa aking hubby na si Ruel.
Takeaway number 3. My core values is my North Star and guiding light. Clear ako sa prospect that I want to work with, simple clear sa goal, collaborative, and let’s face it yung ready to invest sa result that they want.
I understand that this prospect goes by his budget and that is valid. Pero for him to say things na below the belt, measuring my capacity kasi hindi nya ako afford is a non negotiable.
I could have isolated his price objection to dig deeper. Pero I chose not, kasi ramdam ko na hindi sya open.
Sana din kasi ako sa prospects na mabait mag tell ng No or not now.
Here is what I said in my response to him
No worries, George I understand that as a business owner you have a set budget.
And maybe your budget is set to a certain limit. You do not see any outcomes to justify the heavy price, I get that.
What I have just shown you is the realistic 'how's' of achieving your podcast growth.
There are so many overarching factors of your podcast growth and we haven't checked your assets yet.
As an engineer, I know you are also a systems thinker.
That is why I emphasize having an audit for
Phase 1. Check what worked in the first 7 episodes, are we clear of your audience, have you identified your unique selling point, etc.
Phase 2 is the beta-testing of the suggested strategy.
Working in the podcast industry for 6 years now, and having been under the Top Tier 1 companies that you mentioned as podcast manager and growth consultant, well I am confident of the value of the service that I provide. For I can solve client's problems systematically resulting in more business for them.
After them seeing the how’s and the process, I rarely hear that my service is overpriced. Seems like we are not a fit.
George, I wish you success in finding the right contractor. You can refer to the growth road map for guidance. Best of luck.
I hope you learn from this episode.
Again my message to you know your worth, always be professional and a business owner, and stick to your non-negotiable.
For this will help you meet soul-aligned clients that will value you as a business partner and is willing to invest in you kasi you are worth it and capable of bringing them the success that they are aiming for.
Connect with Ce and Eloi:
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- Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ValuePodVASchool
- Website: valuepodmarketing.com
