Free Podcast Launch Guide & Theme
	• How to start a podcast
	• Conceptualize and grow a podcast audience
	• 6 Monetization strategies to turn into a profit machine
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If you’ve been interested in starting a podcast, but you don’t know how to do it for little to no money then keep reading because I will show you how to start a podcast for free.

Personally, I’ve gone through my own trials and tribulations with my own work without spending money on anything at all!

And I want you to know that you can do it if you want to. It really is that simple.

That’s why I want to share with you different ways you can kick your podcast off without spending a dime. We’ll talk about free platforms, tools, and more so you can record, edit, and produce your show!

Free Podcast Tools

Between all of these free tools you can produce a podcast that would have otherwise been impossible a few years ago. Use your phone or the built-in mic from a computer for a microphone.

Recording & Editing Tools

1. Audacity – A free, audio editing software with advanced features for recording and editing podcasts.
2. GarageBand is free for Mac users and great for recording and editing audio with a beginner-friendly interface.
3. Anchor by Spotify – Allows recording, editing, and publishing directly on the platform.
4. Zencastr (Free Plan) – Provides high-quality audio recording over the internet.
5. Cleanfeed – Free tool for high-quality live audio recording with guests.
6. Podcastle (Free Tier) – Offers AI-powered recording and editing tools, including noise cancellation and high-quality audio recording for podcasters.

Hosting Platforms

1. Anchor by Spotify – Offers free podcast hosting with distribution to major platforms.
2. Podbean (Free Plan) – Includes 5 hours of storage and basic statistics.
3. Spreaker (Free Plan) – Offers hosting with basic analytics and limited upload time.
4. RedCircle – Free hosting with features like monetization and cross-promotion.

Collaboration & Remote Interview Tools

1. Zoom (Free Plan) – Popular for recording podcast interviews with a 40-minute limit per session.
2. Riverside.fm (Free Plan) – High-quality audio and video recording with local file backups.
3. SquadCast (Free Plan) – Excellent for remote interviews with local recording features.

Transcription Tools

1. Otter.ai (Free Plan) – Automatic audio transcription with 600 minutes free per month.
2. Descript (Free Plan) – Includes basic transcription and editing features.

Promotion & Marketing Tools

1. Headliner – Create audiograms for social media promotion.
2. Canva – Design cover art, social media posts, and promotional materials.
3. Buffer (Free Plan) – Schedule social media posts to promote your podcast.

Analytics Tools

1. Podtrac – Free podcast measurement and analytics.
2. Chartable (Free Plan) – Track your podcast’s performance on charts and with listeners.

Music & Sound Effects

1. Freesound – Free library of sound effects.
2. Incompetech – Offers royalty-free music for podcast intros and outros.
3. Epidemic Sound (Free Trial) – High-quality tracks available for a limited time.

Planning & Organization

1. Notion – Free for individual use, excellent for planning and organizing podcast content.
2. Trello – Manage podcast episodes and tasks with boards and lists.

Additional Tools

1. Auphonic – Free audio processing with 2 hours per month.
2. Google Docs – Collaborate on episode scripts and show notes.

Audacity

If you’re looking for a powerful and free audio editing tool, Audacity is an excellent choice. It’s open-source, packed with advanced features, and works on multiple platforms. Whether you’re recording directly into the app or editing existing audio, Audacity provides tools like noise reduction, equalization, and multi-track editing to give your podcast a professional sound.

GarageBand

For Mac users, GarageBand offers a user-friendly interface and a suite of tools perfect for beginners. You can record, edit, and mix your podcast with ease, and its built-in sound library adds a creative touch. Plus, it syncs seamlessly with other Apple devices for a streamlined workflow.

Anchor by Spotify

Anchor simplifies podcasting by providing an all-in-one platform for recording, editing, and publishing. Its mobile app lets you create episodes on the go, and you can even include music from Spotify. With easy distribution to major platforms, it’s a great choice for new podcasters.

Zencastr (Free Plan)

Zencastr is designed for podcasters who need high-quality remote recording. It records each guest’s audio locally, ensuring crystal-clear sound even with unstable internet. After the session, Zencastr automatically uploads and syncs the tracks, saving you time on post-production.

Cleanfeed

Cleanfeed offers professional-quality audio for live interviews and remote recording. It works directly in your browser and supports multiple participants, making it ideal for collaborative podcasts. The free plan provides unlimited recording time, perfect for long-form episodes.

Podcastle (Free Tier)

Podcastle combines AI-powered tools with an intuitive interface, making it a standout choice for podcasters. Its free tier includes noise cancellation, text-to-speech, and high-quality audio recording features. Whether you’re recording solo or with guests, Podcastle’s tools make the process smooth and efficient.

Podbean (Free Plan)

Podbean’s free plan gives you up to 5 hours of storage and basic analytics, making it a good option for beginners. The platform supports easy episode uploads and provides a simple website to showcase your podcast.

Spreaker (Free Plan)

Spreaker offers a solid free plan with basic hosting features, including analytics and limited upload time. It’s a great way to test the waters before upgrading to a premium plan with more features.

RedCircle

RedCircle stands out with its free hosting and advanced features like cross-promotion and monetization tools. It’s designed to help podcasters grow their audience and connect with other creators.

Zoom (Free Plan)

Zoom’s free plan is a reliable choice for recording remote interviews. While there’s a 40-minute limit for group calls, its ease of use and recording functionality make it popular among podcasters.

Riverside.fm (Free Plan)

Riverside.fm provides studio-quality audio and video recording for remote interviews. Its free plan allows you to record locally, ensuring high-quality results even if your internet connection isn’t perfect.

SquadCast (Free Plan)

SquadCast is built for podcasters who want seamless remote interviews. It records audio locally for each participant, ensuring pristine sound quality. The free plan is ideal for podcasters experimenting with remote setups.

Otter.ai (Free Plan)

Otter.ai automates transcription, making it easy to create show notes or accessibility-friendly content. The free plan offers up to 600 minutes of transcription per month, perfect for light podcasting needs.

Descript (Free Plan)

Descript’s free plan combines transcription with basic audio editing features. Its intuitive interface lets you edit audio by editing text, making post-production faster and easier.

Headliner

Headliner helps you create eye-catching audiograms for social media. Simply upload your audio, choose a visual style, and share engaging clips that highlight your podcast’s best moments.

Canva

Canva makes designing podcast visuals easy, from cover art to promotional graphics. Its drag-and-drop interface and free templates are perfect for creating professional designs, even if you’re not a graphic designer.

Buffer (Free Plan)

Buffer simplifies social media scheduling, allowing you to plan and publish posts to promote your podcast. The free plan supports up to three social media accounts and basic analytics to track engagement.

Podtrac

Podtrac provides free podcast analytics to help you understand your audience. Track downloads, geographic data, and other key metrics to grow your podcast effectively.

Chartable (Free Plan)

Chartable tracks your podcast’s performance on charts and provides insights into listener behavior. The free plan is a great starting point for understanding your podcast’s reach.

Freesound

Freesound offers a vast library of free sound effects. Whether you need ambient noise, sound bites, or quirky effects, it’s a valuable resource for podcasters looking to enhance their episodes.

Incompetech

Incompetech provides royalty-free music, perfect for intros, outros, and background tracks. Browse by mood or genre to find the right fit for your podcast.

Epidemic Sound (Free Trial)

Epidemic Sound offers high-quality tracks and sound effects. While the free trial is limited, it’s an excellent way to explore premium audio resources for your podcast.

Notion

Notion is a powerful tool for planning and organizing your podcast. Use it to outline episodes, track ideas, and collaborate with team members. Its free plan offers enough features for most podcasters.

Trello

Trello’s board system helps you manage podcast tasks efficiently. Create cards for episode ideas, production steps, and promotional tasks to stay organized.

Auphonic

Auphonic automates audio processing, improving the quality of your recordings with features like leveling and noise reduction. The free plan includes 2 hours of processing per month.

Google Docs

Google Docs is perfect for collaborative scriptwriting and show notes. Share documents with team members and edit in real-time to streamline your workflow.

What Equipment Do I Need for a Podcast?

Starting a podcast does require a microphone and a method for recording it, however if you are resourceful you can do it without spending any money. One thing that most people have these days are a smartphone, or if they don’t have a smartphone — they usually know someone that might have an old one sitting around they aren’t using anymore. The microphone in phones have gotten really good over the last 20 years, and even if it isn’t cutting edge a lot of them feature noise cancellation and other tricks to make the sound quality better. When I started my channel, I used an iPhone — and have used all sorts of things I had laying around — a GoPro, Airpods, an old gaming mic, etc.

How Much Does it Cost to Start a Podcast?

It can be done for free if you’re willing to figure it out.

That’s why I put these resources together into a little launch guide where I show you how to start a podcast in more detail. Please read on…

Starting a podcast is an exciting venture! It allows you to share your thoughts, stories, or expertise with a global audience. This document outlines the essential steps to launch your podcast without spending any money, covering everything from planning your content to distributing your episodes.

Step 1: Define Your Podcast Concept

Before getting into the technical details, let’s start by shaping your podcast’s concept. Here are a few questions to help guide you:

• What is your podcast about? Choose a niche that you are passionate about and knowledgeable in.
• Who is your target audience? Identify who it is you want to reach with your content.
• What format will your podcast take? Decide whether it will be solo, co-hosted, or interview-based.

Step 2: Plan Your Episodes

Once you have a clear concept, outline your first few episodes. This can include:

• Episode titles
• Key points or topics to discuss
• Potential guests (if applicable)
• A rough duration for each episode

Having a plan will help you stay organized and focused.

Step 3: Gather Your Equipment

You don’t need expensive equipment to start a podcast. Here’s a list of basic tools you can use for free or at a low cost:

• Microphone: Use your smartphone’s built-in microphone or a basic USB microphone.
• Recording Software: Free software like Audacity or GarageBand (for Mac users) can help you record and edit your audio.
• Headphones: Any basic headphones will work to monitor your audio.

Step 4: Record Your First Episode

Find a quiet space to record your episode. Follow these tips for a successful recording:

• Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
• Avoid background noise as much as possible.
• Record multiple takes as needed, so you have options during editing (not all podcasts are edited, you must decide what works best for you.)

Step 5: Edit Your Audio

Editing is crucial for producing a polished podcast. Use your chosen software to:

• Remove mistakes or long pauses.
• Add music or sound effects (make sure they are royalty-free).
• Adjust volume levels for consistency.

Step 6: Choose a Hosting Platform

To distribute your podcast, you’ll need a hosting platform. Here are some free options:

• Anchor: Offers unlimited hosting, distribution to major platforms, and basic analytics.
• Buzzsprout: Limited storage and episodes on the free plan, but a good starting point.
• Podbean: This free plan with limited storage, but it offers a variety of monetization options.
• YouTube: Limited podcast-specific features but offers a massive potential audience.
• Rumble: A newer platform that is quickly gaining popularity, offering podcast hosting and a passionate community.

Step 7: Publish and Promote Your Podcast

Once your episode is edited and uploaded, it’s time to publish! Share your show on social media, engage with your audience, and ask for feedback. Consider a website or blog to further promote your episodes and connect with listeners — This is actually a major way to make money with a podcast. Make sure to sign up for my email list for a guide that dives into how to make money with a website for your show.