You want to start a podcast but don’t have any money? 

Okay, it’s doable. Personally, I would say you need to spend a little bit to make it a success, but I would say that, wouldn’t I?!

So how do you start a podcast for free? 

Planning your free podcast

It all starts with the planning. No plan, no podcast. Just because you’re doing this for free doesn’t mean it won’t take a little bit of effort.

Firstly, ask yourself why you want to make a podcast.

Then write down every idea that’s ever come to your mind. It doesn’t matter how big or small, write it down.

Think about how those ideas could fit in with why you want to make a podcast.

After a good little while, your idea should be staring you in the face.

But don’t stop there… 

Research your topic

Before you get on with making your podcast, it’s time to take a look at what is already out there.

It’s easy to do this bit for free. Just open Google and start searching for podcasts that cover your chosen idea.

You should also search in podcast apps like Apple Podcasts and Spotify too. 

Give them a listen and write down what you like about those podcasts.

What keeps you listening? What could you do better?

Verify your topic

Now it’s time to check if your chosen topic will work.

There’s no point starting a podcast about something you know very little about and will run out of things to say after a couple of episodes.

You also want to make sure that other people will want a podcast about your topic. Again, there’s no point in making a podcast about something only you are interested in.

Create a listener persona. Who are they? What else do they like? What do they care about?

And most importantly, how can you keep them interested in your podcast?

Planning your free podcast’s format

At this point you could just go ahead and start talking into a microphone but before you do that you need to think about your presentation.

Without a format your podcast will just be a mess and no one likes a messy podcast.

So what format should you use for your free podcast?

Solo Show Format

The simplest of podcast formats.

Just you, a microphone and your audience.

If you want to put your opinions across to people directly and create a personal connection between you and them, going solo is the way to go.

Just remember that going solo puts a lot of emphasis on you and it will take some work to make every episode a compelling listen.

Interview Format

Want to introduce your audience to fresh ideas? The humble interview can do just that.

You host the show and bring on guests to share their views and opinions. Think Graham Norton but with a smaller sofa. (You’re doing this for free, remember)

Make sure to plan your interviews thoroughly. Research the people you’re interviewing and come up with a list of questions to get the best out of them.

Conversational Format

If you’re looking for a more relaxed format, the conversational one could be for you.

Made popular by Goalhanger’s series of The Rest Is… podcasts, the conversational format puts two co-hosts (or more) together to chat about the topic themselves.

Just like the solo format, this format of podcast can create that personal connection with your audience. You’ll just be sharing it with a co-host.

Think of it like having lots of people eavesdropping on a conversation between you and a friend.

The biggest issue you’re going to face with this one is recording it for free.

Equipment for your free podcast

This is where it gets tricky starting a podcast for free. But it is doable, I guess.

Smartphone Recording

Yes, your phone probably does have a voice recording app. 

And it definitely has a microphone.

I’ve used my phone to record bits for podcasts before but a whole episode? Oof!

Computer Microphone Recording

If you’ve ever been on a video call you’ll know that your computer has its own, built-in microphone.

You’ll also know that it will pick up everything in the room too.

Podcasts are intimate. Most people listen to them through headphones. If you’re recording one with your computer or phone’s microphone there’s going to be an awful lot of background noise.

And unless you’re sitting right on top of your computer, talking directly into the microphone, you’ll sound like you’re quite far away too.

Not the best listening experience for your audience.

As a result I’d strongly recommend spending a little bit of money on a microphone. Take a look on Amazon. They might not be perfect but there’s a large choice of cheap microphones on there.

Free Recording Software

Going down the smartphone route, check out apps like Voice Memos (iOS) and Voice Recorder (Android).

Using a computer? Apple computers come with GarageBand already installed. Or you can download Audacity for free from the internet.

Both are simple, yet effective recording solutions.

Editing your free podcast

You’ve got this far without spending anything so I’m pretty sure you won’t be asking me for a quote to edit your podcast.

Oh well.

Looking to do it yourself will mean using and learning some new software.

If you’re an Apple user, GarageBand is pre-installed on your device and will get the job done.

Audacity is another great free option.

Both will take a bit of time to learn but there are plenty of tutorials out there on YouTube.

The text-based editor, Descript, has a free tier. It might not offer you enough to edit more than one episode a month though.

Create artwork for your free podcast

Artwork is a really important part of your podcast’s overall look and feel.

We shouldn’t judge a book by its cover but we all do. The same is true of podcasts.

Enter Canva. With both free and paid options, Canva is a great piece of software that you can create your podcast artwork on.

You’ll need to create a square 3000×3000 pixel image to ensure it will be accepted by the podcast listening apps.

And please don’t take images off Google that don’t belong to you.

Free hosting for your free podcast

The last step of starting a podcast for free is getting it posted to the world wide web.

Spotify For Podcasters offers free hosting and is one of the most popular hosts in podcasting.

Buzzsprout also has a free tier available.

But…

And this is a big but.

Free doesn’t mean good.

Spotify For Podcasters, for example, has next to no customer support. So if something goes wrong, you’ll just have to figure it out by yourself.

And Buzzsprout will delete your files after 90 days unless you start paying. So wave goodbye to your back catalogue.

Still want to start a podcast for free?

There you go then. You can start a podcast for free.

It will be hard work but you’ll enjoy it. Maybe.

Alternatively you could ask me to help you.

Just a thought.