Let me guess, you are a musician or audio professional, and you’re obsessed with high-quality audio. You learned how audio works, how to operate a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), audio plugins, and unlocked the secrets of mixing and mastering.
All these skills took years to master, and some of you even pursued degrees – as I did, in audio engineering, hoping for a better future.
As audio professionals, we’re sometimes too focused on our craft, overlooking the number of opportunities surrounding us. Our skills are easily transferable, and sometimes using them in other domains can bring financial benefits.
That’s why in this article, I want to share with you a few tips on landing your first podcast editor job.
Who is Bogdan Bratis?
Before I dive into the topic, let me provide some context about who I am, what I do, and why I’m qualified to give you advice about securing your first podcast editor job.
My name is Bogdan Bratis, and I’m the founder of Saspod, a leading podcast production company focused on helping brands gain authority and visibility through storytelling. I got into this industry back in 2019, when I realised my audio production skills could be applied to podcasting as well.
I quickly landed my first podcast editing job, and from there, I expanded until Saspod became a major podcast brand in the industry.
I have a first-class degree in Popular Music Production, I’ve been playing music professionally, and, like you, I also tried to find my way into the music industry.
But, as we all know, making money in this industry is tough.
So, that being said, I will share the exact methods you can apply to secure your first podcast editing job so that you can supplement your income.
Apply to Work For Other Podcast Production Companies
Many podcast production companies look for new talent, so from time to time, it’s worth checking whether they have any podcast editing jobs available. You can do this on their website; usually, they would have a dedicated page where you can apply, or use job search engines such as Indeed or LinkedIn.
Many people don’t know about the Podnews podcast job board, so applying here could give you an edge.
Working for another company first will give you the experience and training you need to secure your own projects down the road. It can also provide a stable income, since you would be working on a salary or on multiple projects simultaneously.
Since I hire podcast producers on a monthly basis, these are the things I look for to decide whether a candidate is a fit:
- A professional CV – showcasing all past audio work and experience
- Some solid samples of previous audio work
- Be very presentable during the interview
- Be a problem solver and pay attention to detail
If you have these four elements, the job is 70% yours.
Podcast Editor Jobs – The Freelance Way
Freelancing has become a real trend lately. You get to work with who you want, when you want, and for how much money you want. As good as this can sound, for most people, getting started in freelancing is a real challenge.
Back in 2019, I started on Upwork, one of the most prominent job marketplaces on the internet. Very quickly, I began to gain traction, and within a week, I landed my first podcast editor job, making good money, which later allowed me to expand and start my own company.
Here is what worked for me:
i. Have a professional freelance profile
In freelancing, first impressions matter more than you might think. Unlike working inside a company, where your appearance rarely affects client interactions, freelancing puts you front and center. You are your own brand, and how you present yourself can make or break an opportunity.
If you’re aiming to land your first podcast editing job on a marketplace, a professional profile picture is essential. Clients make split-second judgments based on appearances and want to work with something they like (and trust), so it’s worth putting your best foot forward. Yes, it might feel harsh, but it’s the reality of the freelance world.
Beyond the picture, create an introductory video to showcase your personality and expertise. Pair it with a compelling title and bio; this is your chance to communicate not just what you do, but why clients should choose you.
ii. Have a strong portfolio
This is the most challenging part. If you have never worked in podcasting before, you may not have examples to show. This shouldn’t be an issue, because I’m sure you’ve got other audio-related projects you can showcase instead.
Otherwise, use the time you have, offer your services for free, and gain hands-on experience on a few podcasting projects, plus build your portfolio.
I never had a podcast portfolio when I got my first podcast editing job, and you also don’t need to if you follow the tips below, so keep reading.
iii. Craft a good proposal template (do not use AI)
In today’s world, authenticity and being humn is everything. I review dozens of proposals every month, and it’s obvious when someone has relied on AI just to tick a box. Clients can tell the difference between a genuine effort and a generic submission.
When I first secured my first podcast job, I literally told the client.
“I’ve never edited a podcast before, but I have the skills required for this position”.
Being honest and transparent will set you apart from the crowd.
When writing a proposal, focus on the client’s problems first. Keep the section about you and your experience to just two or three sentences, enough to establish credibility. The rest should be dedicated to addressing the client’s specific pain points and explaining how you can solve them. This approach instantly sets you apart from freelancers who make their proposals all about themselves.
iv. Apply to as many jobs as possible
I would argue that most people don’t try hard enough.
Make time to apply to at least 10 podcasting jobs each day. In just one week, you would have planted 70 seeds, each one a potential opportunity waiting to grow. If you follow everything outlined in this article, landing your first podcast editing job will be just around the corner.
I got my first podcast editor job after sending about 100 or so proposals.
v. Compete On Price
As a new freelancer, you have a huge advantage: you can compete on price.
Even a lower-paying job still brings both validation and money in the bank. Established podcast editors, on the other hand, don’t have this flexibility. When their calendars are full, the only way to earn more is by raising their rates, not by taking on lower-paying gigs.
With this perspective, you realise that starting as a freelancer is easier than it seems.
vi. Focus on getting good reviews from your first clients
Once you land your first clients, always ask for reviews. Positive feedback accelerates your reputation, making it much easier to secure higher-paying podcast editing jobs down the line.
Most clients will be more than happy to leave a review, especially if they feel they got a deal that was too good to be true. A little nudge can turn their satisfaction into a powerful testimonial that boosts your freelance credibility.
Pro tip: Build a review and referral asking system in your delivery.
And repeat!
Keep doing this over and over until you get enough clients, so your only option to earn more would be to raise your prices.
Do You Need A Degree To Become A Podcast Editor?
Many think that you need a degree to get a high-paying job. Although I went the traditional “get a degree” route, you do not need a degree to work in the podcast industry.
These skills can be easily learned following YouTube tutorials, specialised courses, or, of course, reading our blog.
Above it all, focus on solving problems. Thankfully for you, you don’t need a degree to solve podcasting problems.
Will AI replace all Podcast Editor Jobs?
The answer to this question is no-ish. You see, AI can accomplish simple mechanical tasks, and AI tools make editing easier for DIYers, but critical thinking is still at the core. At Saspod, we employ AI tools in particular scenarios, but we never rely on them to do the job for us.
We still rely on Cubase, iZotope RX, and a range of premium plugins from trusted audio brands. Every podcast is edited manually because that approach delivers the highest-quality results, and that’s exactly what clients expect, not some generic-made podcast.
Skills Required To Get Your First Podcast Editor Job
If you’ve worked in the audio industry before, you’ll probably have all the necessary skills to land your first podcast editor job.
But in case you need a guide, here is a list of everything you need to know:
- Learn a DAW: Master a Digital Audio Workstation, do not obsess over which one is the best, pick one and learn all the basics.
- Audio Restoration: Audio restoration is an essential skill to master in podcasting. Most of the time, clients would send poor audio recordings captured over the internet. iZotope RX is the industry standard in this regard.
- Audio Editing: Learn the basics of audio editing, such as correcting mistakes, removing filler words, plosives, and clicks. Once you know how to do this, get faster at it. In podcasting, speed is of the essence.
- Audio Mixing: Learn essential mixing techniques. Understand the basics of EQ, compression, and gain staging.
- Create A Podcast Intro: Listen to a few podcast intros, and learn how to balance dialogue with music in an engaging format.
- Audio Mastering: As in music, podcasting has its own mastering standards. Typically, we master at -16 LUFS, and we need to respect the sound characteristics from episode to episode. Understanding the basics of ID3 Tagging would also come in handy.
- RSS Feeds: Although not an audio skill, you will often be asked to manage RSS feeds and upload episodes to podcast hosting providers, and learn how everything connects.
Your First Podcast Editing Job Is Closer Than You Think
Breaking into the podcast industry may seem overwhelming at first, but the truth is simple: you already have the skills; now you just need a strategy.
Be consistent. Apply daily. Stay honest in your proposals. Compete on price in the beginning. Collect reviews and let your reputation compound.
This industry rewards people who take action.
If you follow the methods in this article, stay persistent, and keep improving your craft, you won’t just land your first podcast editor job; you’ll open the door to a long-term career doing what you love.
Your next client is out there. Go serve them.
