7 Genius Tips for Creating a Podcast on a Budget

Written by on October 11, 2021

2021 is a great time to start a podcast: there are still relatively few high-quality ones out there when compared to blogs and other types of media. The best creators can build up a strong community and a solid income from their podcast, thereby creating a positive reputation in their industry and maybe even freeing themselves from their day job. If you have a solid idea and interesting content, you can quickly make a name for yourself by creating a podcast.

But getting started is hard, and in addition to finding the time to produce your first episodes, you’ll need to come up with the money for your equipment, advertise your podcast, and attract high-quality guests. Fortunately, there are many ways to reduce your costs, so that you can begin recording for under $100. Let’s have a look at some of the best ways to save money when you first set up your podcast.

7 Genius Tips for Creating a Podcast on a Budget

1. Enlist Your Friends for Help

When you first consider starting a podcast, there are many different things on your to-do list. In addition to finding, setting up, and learning to use all the equipment, you’ll also need to think about your brand and logo, whether you’d like to include music, and what guests are going to be on your show. The easiest way to cut your cost is to get your friends involved.
You may know someone who is good at graphic design, or you might have contacts who make music in their spare time. Asking them to participate can often be much cheaper than enlisting a professional for the same service. What’s more, your friends might already have some of the equipment you need, so you could initially borrow it from them. That way, you can have a go at podcasting and find out if it suits you without spending much money upfront.

2. Check Out the Second-Hand Shops

Your friends might not have everything you need, so you’ll have to try and source it from somewhere else. While podcasting can be an amazing experience, not everybody who starts it ends up sticking to it, and many former podcasters are looking to sell their equipment. Often, it is of high quality and not very expensive, so you can get started with some great gear at very reasonable prices.
Depending on where you live, there might be excellent second-hand and charity shops in your local area. Ask the owners whether they ever receive electronic equipment such as microphones. They might be happy to contact you when something suitable is brought into the shop. If this is not an option, you can check out online platforms like eBay, where you can access used goods from creators all over the country.

3. Start with a Free Recording and Editing Software

In addition to a microphone, you’ll need recording and editing software. Fortunately, there are some free options out there that provide creators with excellent value. Audacity is free on all devices, and you can record, edit, and export your content using this tool. Podcasters who own a Mac often prefer to use Garageband, which is only available on these types of computers but is easier to learn than Audacity.

4. Opt for Low-Cost Podcast Hosting

Once you have created some episodes, you can start looking for a place to host them so your audience can access them on various podcast players such as Google Play, Spotify, and iTunes. The host will provide these platforms with your episodes as well as the podcast title and information. Podbean is your cheapest option, and it can be used for free as long as you don’t upload more than 5 hours of content a month.

There are also more comprehensive, paid plans available, but a beginner or someone who is looking to produce their podcast as a hobby will be well served with the free option. If you’re looking for a host that includes more storage space and basic stats for under $10 per month, Libsyn might work well for you. Remember that you can always start with a free or low-cost plan and then upgrade later when your audience has grown.

5. Build Up a Community on Social Media

Your job isn’t over when you’ve put your content out there. In fact, creating a podcast is only the beginning, and you’ll have to put a lot of effort into marketing and building up your audience. Some creators opt for paid advertisements on websites and apps, but you can build up a very large community for free by making use of your social media channels.

Choose two or three channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and post regular, high-quality content. At the same time, interact with other accounts in your niche, particularly the leading ones that are already established. That way, you will start to build an organic following, and people will begin to listen to your podcast. If they like it, they’ll share it with their own followers, so you can gain a lot of exposure for free.

6. Start Out with Remote Interviews

A big part of creating a successful podcast is interviewing engaging guests. If you effectively market yourself on social media and grow your platform, you can find many fascinating speakers who are hoping to share their ideas with and gain exposure to your followers. However, many of them might not be located in the same geographical area as you.

The easiest and cheapest way to interview such people is remotely. Many of the most popular video conferencing options, such as Skype and Zoom, allow you to record your conversations, so you can speak to guests from all over the world without traveling.

7. Use Income from Your Podcast to Upgrade

As you can see, there are many ways to start your podcast without spending a lot of money. If you make use of all of these tips, you can begin for under $100. Over time, you’ll grow your audience, and you can start getting paid for your work. For example, you might attract advertisers relevant to your niche, or you can create premium content that can only be accessed by people who pay you.

When you receive such income, you can initially re-invest it to make your podcast better. You might purchase a higher quality microphone, upgrade to a better type of software, or spend some money on advertising to further increase your reach. Soon, your podcast will start supporting itself and provide you with an additional income stream.

Creating a podcast can be a great investment in your future, particularly at the moment, because it is an up-and-coming medium. Not only can you get the word out and improve your reputation, but you may also be able to make money off your show. Many people enjoy listening to an interesting discussion while on the go, whether they are commuting to work, out on a walk, or simply completing tasks around the house.

To get started on a budget, you can ask your friends for help and buy things second-hand, begin with free software and low-cost hosting, build up your community on free social media sites, and do remote interviews. Later, when you are gaining some income, you can always upgrade to more advanced technology options. Visit iHelium Radio Network to discover more tips about how to set up and market your podcast.

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