How To Start A Podcast For Free

Is starting a podcast for FREE even possible?

Yes, yes it is!

There is a common myth that podcasting will break the bank or in order to set up your show, you will need to fork over an investment, but starting a podcast for free is not as rare or difficult as you may think!

If you’ve been thinking about launching your own podcast, but are worried about costs, this blog post will share our step by step guide on how to start a podcast without spending a single dime AND without sacrificing content quality.

Let’s dive in…

How To Start A Podcast For Free: 6 Steps

STEP 1: Plan Your Podcast

Before you begin recording your episodes, take some time to plan your podcast. Ask yourself —

• What is your podcast about? Pick a topic area that sparks your interest and your potential audience. You can also brainstorm and create a podcast name. 

• Who is your target audience? Define the listeners you would like to reach.

• What format will you use? Will it be one-person episodes, interviews, a co-hosted show? You can also start to have a little fun with podcast cover art ideas (and show notes ideas, as well!)

• Episode length? Podcast episodes can range from 10 minutes to over an hour long, depending on your content. 

STEP 2: Choose Free Recording And Editing Software & Tools

Fear not, you definitely do not need expensive equipment to start a podcast. Here are suggestions of free tools that you can use —

• Podcast Recording Software — For high-quality audio recording, you can try out Audacity (Windows/Mac)

• Podcast Editing Software — The above mentioned tools are also excellent for editing, allowing creators to cut, enhance and refine audio files. 

STEP 3: Record Your Very First Episode 🙂

Be sure to find a quiet place to record and use headphones with a built-in microphone or your smartphone’s mic for greater sound quality. A few tips to keep in mind when recording —

• Speak clearly and at a steady pace

• Try to minimize background noise as much as possible

• Test podcast recording with a sound-check 

STEP 4: Find Free Podcast Hosting

There are several free and user-friendly hosting platforms available for distributing your podcast. A few options include

• Anchor (by Spotify)

• Podbean (Free plan)

• RedCircle

STEP 5: Publish And Distribute Your Podcast 

Once you have recorded your episode and have uploaded it to a hosting platform, it is time to distribute! Free hosting platforms such as the above-mentioned ‘Anchor’ automatically share your podcast to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

STEP 6: Promote Your Podcast For Free

To attract podcast listeners and gain momentum, promote your show on social media and other free online platforms, such as —

• YouTube — here you can convert episodes into video podcast content 

• Podcast Directories (i.e. Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts) 

• Collaborations (aka. Connecting with fellow podcasters for cross-promotion)

How To Start A Podcast For Free And Make Money 

Even if you’re using free tools, you can still make money from your podcast. Here are a few ways you can monetize your channel —

• Sponsorships 

• Listener Donations (i.e. Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee)

• Affiliate Marketing

• Merchandise Sales

• Crowdfunding

For more info on this, be sure to check out our past blog ‘How To Make Money With A Podcast’.

Thoughts On How To Start A Podcast For Free

At The Social Snippet, we believe that successful and stand-out podcasts are not built overnight. Our advice? Stay committed, engage with your audience, and keep improving your content. 

You don’t need money to start — you just need passion and determination!  

Are there any steps that you would add to our guide on ‘How To Start A Podcast For Free’? We would love to hear your thoughts :) 

And if you need a little more guidance as you continue along your podcasting journey, we’ve got you covered! Follow us on Instagram @thesocialsnippet

Happy Podcasting!