Is your podcast getting lost in the audio wilderness due to low volume? Fear not, as achieving the perfect loudness level for your podcast is entirely within your grasp. This post walks through the ins and outs of podcast loudness, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to make your audio sound professional, engaging, and easy on the ears.

How to Fix Podcast Audio Fast

If you’re trying to fix the audio fast, this is by far the easiest solution I’ve found. It’s called Podcastle, and they have a paid feature ($14 for a month is a good deal in my book) called Magic Dust AI which analyzes the audio and fixes it beautifully. Honestly, I’ve been using it for my videos now and it makes everything sound much more professional and good. Take a listen to a sample clip below, and I’ll share a link in a moment…

Bad Original Audio

Fixed Audio

Click here to try it for yourself

Understanding Podcast Loudness

Loudness is not merely about cranking up the volume; it’s about achieving a consistent and balanced level throughout your podcast. This ensures your listeners can enjoy your content without straining to hear it or being blasted by sudden loud bursts.

Why Loudness Matters

• Listener Experience: Proper loudness is essential for a pleasant listening experience. Too quiet, and your podcast might be drowned out by background noise. Too loud, and you risk listener fatigue or even damage to their hearing.
• Professionalism: A well-balanced loudness level makes your podcast sound polished and professional, helping you stand out in a crowded podcast landscape.

Target Loudness: -16 LUFS

The industry standard for podcast loudness is -16 LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale). Major platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts recommend this target. However, some podcasters may aim for a slightly higher level, such as -14 LUFS, to enhance their podcast’s presence. Remember, prioritize audio quality over extreme loudness.

Tools and Techniques for Boosting Podcast Volume

1. Normalization: This process automatically adjusts the overall loudness of your audio to your target LUFS, ensuring consistency throughout your podcast.
2. Compression: This tool tames the dynamic range of your audio, making quieter parts louder and louder parts quieter. Compression helps achieve a more even and balanced sound, making reaching a consistent loudness level easier.
3. Limiting: Think of a limiter as a safety net for your audio. It prevents your audio from exceeding a certain threshold, preventing clipping and distortion that can occur when the volume is pushed too high.
4. Gain Adjustment: This increases the overall volume of your audio. Use it cautiously, as excessive gain can introduce noise and distortion.

Addressing Clipping: A Common Pitfall

Clipping occurs when the audio signal exceeds the maximum level, resulting in a harsh, distorted sound. When increasing loudness, it’s crucial to avoid clipping. Here’s how:

• Use a Limiter: As mentioned earlier, a limiter is your best friend when preventing clipping.
• Monitor Your Levels: Monitor your audio meters closely during recording and editing. Ensure your peaks don’t exceed 0 dBFS (decibels full scale).
• Reduce Gain: If you encounter clipping, try lowering the gain on your input or individual tracks before applying compression or limiting.

Additional Audio Processing Tips

• EQ (Equalization): Adjust the frequency balance of your audio to enhance clarity and eliminate unwanted frequencies.
• De-Esser: Tame harsh “s” sounds that can become more pronounced when loudness is increased.
• Noise Reduction: Remove background noise for a cleaner sound.

Software Recommendations

• Podcastle (Paid): Although they have a free tier, you will need the paid service to automatically fix the audio. Try it here.
• Audacity (Free): A versatile audio editor with built-in normalization, compression, and limiting tools.
• Auphonic (Paid): A powerful online tool tailored for podcast audio processing, offering automatic loudness correction and other enhancements.
• Adobe Audition (Paid): A professional-grade audio editor with advanced audio restoration and mastering tools.

Seeking Professional Help

If you’re unsure about audio editing or want the best possible results, consider hiring a professional audio engineer to master your podcast. Remember, a well-balanced and clear audio track is essential for a successful podcast.

Have you ever had a fantastic podcast episode in the bag, only to find out that OBS chewed up your CPU and left you with a choppy, unlistenable mess? It’s frustrating, but you’re not alone. OBS Studio is a powerful tool but can be a resource hog, especially when aiming for high-quality recordings. The problem ends up being a combination of factors:

• CPU Limitation: If you’re using the x264 encoder, the CPU handles the encoding, and high usage or overload happens when the CPU can’t keep up with the demands of video encoding, resolution, and frame rate.
• GPU Limitation: If you’re using a GPU-based encoder (like NVENC for NVIDIA GPUs), the GPU handles the encoding. In this case, encoding overloads may occur if the GPU is already strained by rendering tasks (e.g., gaming, video processing) or if the GPU lacks sufficient capacity.

In many cases this issue can be quickly resolved by using either an internal or external capture card, which is a small piece of hardware that takes the load off the computer while capturing HD or 4K video by acting as an intermediary between the computer’s output and the monitor. If you want to save yourself some time, this blog post explains how a capture card will solve the OBS High CPU & Encoding Overloaded Error.

Optimize OBS Settings

Things you can do to optimize your OBS settings:

• Lower Resolution and Frame Rate: Do you need to record a podcast in 4K at 60 FPS? Probably not. Lowering these settings can significantly reduce CPU usage.
  • Adjust Encoding Settings: If you have a dedicated graphics card, enable hardware encoding (Settings > Output > Encoder). This offloads the encoding work from your CPU to your GPU.
  • Experiment with the “CPU Usage Preset” (usually set to “very fast”). Try a slower preset like “medium” or even “slow” if your CPU struggles.
• Disable Unused Plugins: Go through your OBS plugins and disable or remove any you’re not actively using.
• Update OBS: Make sure you’re running the latest version – it may have performance improvements.
• Offload saves to an SSD: If you’re recording straight to a regular spinning hard drive, it might not be able to keep up with the speed needed to capture 1080 or 4K video. I highly suggest using an internal or even an external SSD for OBS captures. If you need an external SSD, I use and recommend this line of SSDs.

Does a Capture Card Reduce GPU & CPU Usage?

Yes, a capture card can reduce both GPU and CPU usage, especially if it has built-in hardware encoding capabilities. Here’s how:

1. Offloading Encoding Tasks: Capture cards with dedicated hardware encoders (such as NVENC for NVIDIA-based cards) can handle video encoding, typically GPU and CPU-intensive. By taking over this task, the capture card reduces the load on both the GPU and CPU, allowing for smoother performance within OBS.
2. Pass-through Capabilities: When capturing from a console or a second PC, capture cards use pass-through to capture footage without requiring your main PC’s GPU to process it. This setup significantly reduces GPU usage, as the GPU no longer handles video encoding for the recording or stream.
3. Dedicated Streaming Setup: In a two-PC setup (one for gaming, one for streaming), the capture card allows the streaming PC to handle all recording and streaming tasks, drastically lowering the gaming PC’s CPU and GPU load.
4. Optimizing OBS Performance: A capture card handling video compression can make OBS run more efficiently. This reduces reliance on the CPU for encoding and on the GPU for rendering scenes and transitions.

While a capture card won’t eliminate CPU or GPU usage in OBS (as OBS still requires some processing for scenes and audio) it will substantially lighten the load, especially during high-performance streaming or recording sessions. I currently use an Elgato HD60X and my CPU usage hobers around 6%!

Why Use a Capture Card?

✅ Offloads encoding – Most modern capture cards come with built-in encoders (like NVENC or H.264), reducing CPU strain.

✅ Lower CPU usage – Instead of your PC handling both gaming and streaming, the capture card processes the video feed.

✅ Better performance – Allows for smoother gameplay and higher FPS while streaming.

Best Capture Cards for Reducing CPU Usage

Here are some top choices based on 1080p & 4K recording needs:

External USB Capture Cards (Great for laptops or easy setup)

🔹 Elgato HD60 X – USB 3.0, supports 1080p60 with low latency

🔹 AVerMedia Live Gamer Ultra – USB 3.1, supports 4K30 recording and 1080p120 passthrough

Internal PCIe Capture Cards (Best for lowest latency & high quality)

🔹 Elgato 4K60 Pro MK.2 – PCIe, supports 4K60 HDR recording

🔹 AVerMedia Live Gamer Duo – PCIe, supports dual 1080p inputs (great for face cam + gameplay)

How to Use a Capture Card with OBS

1️⃣ Connect the capture card – Plug HDMI (console/PC out → capture card in)

2️⃣ Add to OBS – In Sources, click + → Video Capture Device

3️⃣ Set encoding to NVENC/AMF – Offloads work from CPU to GPU

4️⃣ Enable passthrough (if available) – Ensures you get zero-lag gaming

Capture Cards Fix OBS Overloaded Errors – Click Here!

When Should You Get a Capture Card?

🔹 If you’re streaming from a console (PS5, Xbox)

🔹 If you want to reduce CPU load on your main gaming PC

🔹 If you’re using a dual-PC streaming setup

Why Does OBS Need So Much CPU Power?

TLDR: This will fix the OBS performance issue now

Before we dive into troubleshooting, let’s understand what’s happening under the hood. Your CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your computer, responsible for all the calculations and tasks that make your software run. OBS, like any video software, performs a ton of these tasks:

• Video encoding: This is the big one. OBS compresses your video and audio data into a format suitable for recording or streaming. It’s like packing a suitcase – the better the compression, the smaller the file, but the more work it takes.
• Filters and effects: Adding those fancy transitions or noise reduction filters all increases the CPU workload.
• Game capture: If you’re recording gameplay, OBS needs to grab the video output from your game and process it, which can be quite demanding.

So, what’s considered “high” CPU usage? And why might you see it saying encoding overloaded? It varies, but you’re generally in danger if you consistently see OBS using more than 50% of your CPU during the recording / encoding process.

Troubleshooting and Optimizing OBS Encoding

Diagnose the Problem:

• Check OBS Stats: OBS has a built-in Stats window (View > Stats). While you record, monitor the CPU usage percentage.
• Use Task Manager/Activity Monitor: These tools show how much CPU each running program uses. If something else is hogging resources, close it.

Optimize Your Computer:

• Close Background Programs: Close any unnecessary programs, especially resource-intensive ones like games or video editing software.
• Update Drivers: Outdated graphics drivers can cause performance issues. Check your GPU manufacturer’s website for the latest drivers.

Advanced Tips:

• Tweak Encoding Settings: If you’re comfortable, you can explore the encoding settings more thoroughly, adjust the bitrate, or try different encoders.
• Consider a Dedicated Streaming PC: If you’re a serious content creator, having a separate PC for recording or streaming can be a game-changer.

Troubleshooting Specific Issues:

• OBS High CPU Usage on Laptop: Laptops tend to run hotter, so make sure your laptop is well-ventilated. Some of the newer Macs using Apple silicone run significantly cooler. Lowering your laptop’s performance settings can also help.

Alternatives to OBS for Smoother Podcasting

If you’ve tried everything and OBS is still giving your CPU a hard time, don’t despair. Some other tools and techniques can help you achieve smooth recordings:

Hardware Solutions:

• Capture Cards: If you’re recording gameplay or other external video sources, a capture card can be a huge help. These devices handle the video encoding, taking the load off your CPU. This is particularly beneficial for laptops, which often have weaker processors than desktop computers.
• Upgrading Your Hardware: If your computer is a few years old, consider upgrading your CPU or adding more RAM. This can give OBS the extra resources it needs to run smoothly.

Software Alternatives:

• Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS): A fork of OBS designed for streamers, SLOBS is known for being slightly more resource-friendly in some cases.
• Lightstream Studio: A cloud-based streaming platform, Lightstream handles all the encoding and processing on its servers, meaning your computer only needs to send the video data. This can be a great option if you have a reliable internet connection.
• vMix: A professional-grade live production software, vMix offers more advanced features than OBS but can also be more demanding on your system. If you’re serious about podcasting and have a powerful computer.

Other Tips:

• Record Locally, Edit Later: If you’re doing a lot of post-production anyway, consider recording your audio and video separately. This can be less taxing on your CPU since you won’t encode in real time.
• Lower Quality Recording: If you’re only going to be distributing your podcast as audio, consider recording your video at a lower quality. This won’t impact your audio quality but will significantly reduce the CPU load.

Choosing the Right Solution for You

The best alternative for you will depend on your budget, technical skills, and specific podcasting needs. Experiment with different options and see what works best for your workflow. Remember, the goal is to create high-quality podcasts without your computer melting down.

Additional Tips:

• Research Capture Cards: Not all capture cards are created equal. Do your research to find one that fits your budget and needs.
• Test Software Alternatives: Many software alternatives offer free trials, so take advantage of those to see if they work well for you.
• Consider Your Internet Speed: If you’re looking into cloud-based solutions like Lightstream, make sure you have a fast and solid internet connection to avoid lag and dropped frames. If you have access to it, a fiber optic line generally has the same upload speeds as downloads, and is extremely fast and reliable.

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Have you poured your heart and soul into creating a fantastic podcast but not seen the listener growth you expected? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many podcasters struggle with getting their content in front of the right audience. But fear not—we’ve got you covered with proven strategies to attract, engage, and grow your podcast audience.

Craft Compelling Content That Resonates

The foundation of any successful podcast is high-quality content that resonates with your target audience. Ask yourself:

• What unique value does my podcast offer?
• What problems or questions does it solve for listeners?
• Is my content informative, entertaining, or inspiring?

Ensure your episodes are well-structured, with a clear introduction, engaging discussion, and a memorable conclusion. Invest in good audio equipment for clear sound quality, and experiment with different formats like interviews, solo episodes, or panel discussions to keep things fresh.

Content Optimization:

• Engaging content: Create high-quality, interesting, and valuable content that resonates with their target audience.
• Consistent schedule: Release episodes regularly to keep listeners engaged and coming back for more.
• Compelling titles and descriptions: Use clear, concise, and keyword-rich titles and descriptions to attract listeners and improve search visibility.
• Calls to action: Encourage listeners to subscribe, rate, review, and share the podcast with others.

Optimize Your Podcast for Search Engines

Imagine your podcast website as the central hub of your podcast universe. It’s the one place where you have complete control over how your content is presented and optimized.

SEO optimization: Optimize the podcast website and episode pages for relevant keywords to improve search engine rankings. This can’t be stated enough. The podcast website acts as the hub in a hub and spoke model and should be the center of the growth strategy.

Here’s why:

• Centralized location: Your website is the one place you completely control. You can ensure all your content, information, and calls to action are present and optimized exactly how you want them.
• Search engine visibility: Optimizing your website and episode pages for relevant keywords increases the chances of listeners finding your podcast through search engines. This is a powerful way to attract new listeners organically without relying solely on other platforms or promotions.
• Conversion hub: Your website should be designed to convert listeners into subscribers and engaged fans. This can be achieved through clear calls to action, subscription forms, social media links, and valuable bonus content offered exclusively on the website.
• Data and analytics: Website analytics provide valuable data on how listeners find your show, what content resonates with them, and where they go after visiting your site. This data can inform future content creation, promotion strategies, and overall growth tactics.

To make the most of this hub, prioritize these SEO strategies:

• Keyword research: Learn how to find the words and phrases your target audience is searching for and then incorporate them with helpful, beneficial content on your website, episode titles, and descriptions.
• Technical optimization: Make sure your website is fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. Attention to meta tags, header tags, and image optimization to improve search visibility.
• Content creation: Publish blog posts, show notes, or transcripts related to your podcast episodes. This will increase your podcast’s ranking in search results and attract listeners who prefer to read or skim content.

Promote, Promote, Promote!

Don’t be shy about sharing your podcast with the world! Leverage social media platforms to share episode clips and snippets or behind-the-scenes footage and engage with your audience. Submit your podcast to popular directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Consider collaborating with other podcasters or influencers for cross-promotion. Explore paid advertising options like social media ads or podcast sponsorships to reach a wider audience if your budget allows.

Promotion and Marketing:

• Social media: Utilize platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to share episode clips, teasers, and behind-the-scenes content and engage with the audience.
• Podcast directories: To increase discoverability, submit the podcast to popular directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
• Collaborations and cross-promotion: Partner with other podcasters, influencers, or relevant brands to reach new audiences.
• Paid advertising: Use targeted ads on social media or podcast platforms to promote the show to specific demographics.

Build a Community Around Your Podcast

Creating a community around your podcast fosters loyalty and encourages word-of-mouth marketing. Interact with listeners on social media, respond to comments and messages, and consider hosting Q&A sessions or live events. Offer subscribers or Patreon supporters exclusive content to show appreciation and incentivize engagement.

Track Your Progress and Adapt

Don’t forget to analyze your podcast data! Track your downloads, listener demographics, and engagement metrics to gain insights into what’s working and what’s not. Use this data to refine your content, promotion strategies, and overall approach.

Remember, building a successful podcast takes time and effort. But with consistent effort and a focus on delivering value to your listeners, you’ll be well on your way to skyrocketing your podcast listenership.

Now that you have these strategies in your toolkit create podcast magic! Share your podcast with the world and watch your audience grow.

Your podcast’s soundtrack starts here! Discover royalty-free music, inspiration, and tips for choosing and creating the ideal intro music to captivate your listeners.

Royalty-Free Music Libraries: Ready-to-use Tracks for Your Podcast Intro

Explore vast libraries of royalty-free music specifically curated for podcast intros and outros. Find the perfect track to match your podcast’s genre and mood. To learn more about using royalty-free music on a podcast, click here.

• Premium Beat: A massive collection of high-quality music for all podcasts.[Premium Beat(Shutterstock)]
• Soundstripe: Affordable and diverse music library with simple licensing.[Soundstripe]
• Artist: Unlimited downloads of curated music for creators.[Artlist]

Tips:

• Consider your podcast’s genre, target audience, and desired mood.
• Choose music that complements your podcast’s theme and brand identity.
• Pay attention to the music’s energy, instrumentation, and overall vibe.

Create Your Own Intro Music: Unleash Your Creativity

Craft a unique intro music that reflects your podcast’s personality.

• Tutorials and Guides: Learn the basics of music composition and editing through online tutorials, video courses, or even workshops offered by community colleges or music schools. There are also many resources available specifically for creating podcast intros, which can guide you through the process step-by-step.

• Software Recommendations: Discover user-friendly tools for creating your own music. Look for software that offers a variety of instruments, loops, and sound effects, along with easy-to-use editing features. Many popular options cater to beginners, with intuitive interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality.

• Sound Effects Libraries: Add extra flair and polish to your intro music with sound effects and transitions. A well-placed sound effect can enhance the mood and atmosphere of your podcast, while transitions can help create a smooth flow between the intro music and your voiceover. Sound effects libraries offer a vast selection of categorized sounds, from nature and ambience to foley and cinematic effects.

Tips:

• Experiment with different instruments, sounds, and melodies.
• Incorporate your podcast’s name or logo into the music.
• Keep it short and catchy to avoid listener fatigue.

Inspiration & Examples: Get Inspired by the Best

Listen to examples of excellent podcast intro music from different genres and styles. Find inspiration for your own unique intro.

Excellent Podcast Intro Music Examples:

Upbeat and Energetic:

• The Daily by The New York Times: A simple yet effective piano melody that builds anticipation.
• My Favorite Murder: A catchy, upbeat theme with a playful vibe.
• Reply All: A funky, electronic track with a retro feel.

Cinematic and Dramatic:

• Serial: A haunting and suspenseful score that sets the tone for the true-crime narrative.
• Homecoming: An orchestral piece that creates a sense of mystery and intrigue.
• This American Life: A gentle piano melody with subtle electronic elements that evoke a thoughtful mood.

Unique and Creative:

• 99% Invisible: A quirky and memorable theme that uses found sounds and unusual instruments.
• Radiolab: A blend of electronic and acoustic sounds that creates a sonic landscape for scientific exploration.
• The Moth: A simple acoustic guitar intro that creates an intimate and personal atmosphere.

Tips for Choosing Intro Music: Make the Right Choice

Consider these key factors when selecting your intro music:

• Length: Keep it short (15-30 seconds) to avoid losing listeners’ attention.
• Energy: Match the energy of the music to your podcast’s tone and content.
• Instrumentation: Choose instruments that complement your podcast’s theme.
• Licensing: Ensure the music you choose is royalty-free or properly licensed.

Video podcasts are the rising stars of the content world, captivating audiences with their engaging blend of audio and visual storytelling.

But with so many options available, how do you find the perfect fit? That’s where we come in. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the top video podcast hosting platforms of 2024, exploring their features, pricing, and the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision.

Overview of Video Podcast Platforms

Unlike audio-only files, video demands higher storage and bandwidth to ensure smooth playback.

Here’s what to look for in a video podcast hosting platform:

• Ample Storage and Bandwidth: Videos are larger files, so your platform should provide enough space and smooth playback.
• Cross-Platform Distribution: To grow your audience, a platform that supports distribution to YouTube, social media, and audio directories is essential.
• Monetization Options: From ads and subscriptions to premium content, look for platforms with monetization features.
• Customization and Analytics: Platforms with customizable players and analytics provide valuable insights to optimize viewer engagement.

What is Video Podcast Hosting?

If you’re familiar with traditional podcast hosting, you might wonder, “What’s the big deal about video?” Well, video podcast hosting is not just about storing your files but optimizing them for a seamless viewing experience. Unlike audio files, videos demand higher storage and bandwidth due to their larger size.

A good video podcast hosting platform should offer ample storage, smooth playback, and easy distribution to popular platforms like YouTube and social media. Additionally, look for features like customizable video players, analytics to track viewer behavior, and editing tools to polish your content.

Top Video Podcast Hosting Platforms

Click here to get started on my favorite podcasting platform with video support

Let’s take a closer look at the leading contenders in the video podcast hosting arena:

Podcasting is a powerful medium for sharing ideas, but many aspiring podcasters hesitate to get started because they think they need a big budget or an existing audience. The truth is, you don’t need either. We will walk you through the 9 steps of starting a successful podcast with no money and no listeners, from concept to promotion. If you want to see how to grow and how to do it as a business, where you’re learning the ins and outs of growing organically with various platforms, then I highly recommend you read this post here and download the free guide.

How to Start a Podcast With No Audience

Define Your Podcast Niche and Target Audience

Click here to learn about the best podcasting platforms to start with

The first step in starting a podcast with no audience is identifying your niche. This will not only help you stand out but also help you connect with the right listeners. Ask yourself:

• What topic can you talk about for hours?
• Who is your ideal listener?

You need to create content that resonates for your target audience. Focus on a specific listener persona—what they like, what they care about, and where they spend their time online. For instance if your podcast is about cars, make sure it’s actually talking about cars! Parts, repairs, upgrades, the buying process are all good ways to find a niche within a niche. This will make your content creation and marketing more effective because it will speak directly to an audience.

Create a Strong Podcast Brand

In a crowded podcasting world, branding is essential to capture attention. Start by:

• Designing eye-catching cover art that stands out in podcast directories.
• Choosing a memorable podcast name that reflects your content and resonates with your audience.
• Develop a consistent aesthetic across your podcast artwork, social media profiles, and website.

A cohesive brand helps you attract the right listeners and makes your podcast memorable.

Plan and Structure Your Podcast Episodes

Before you start recording, it’s essential to have a plan. Don’t just “wing it”—here’s how to structure your podcast effectively:

• Outline your episodes: A clear outline or script prevents rambling and keeps the conversation focused. Even a bullet-point list of key points will help improve the flow of your podcast.
• Plan ahead: Record a few episodes in advance before you launch so you have a buffer for those busy weeks.

Having a plan ensures consistency and quality, two critical factors for keeping listeners coming back.

Connect Your Episode to a Traffic Booster 🚀

Traffic boosters are exactly that — they are quick, fast, and easy ways to hook an episode in with something that is actively being sought after. One of the best ways to capitalize on this is to start a website so you can start showing up in search for different search terms (A MASSIVE BOOST!)

If you were to look at Google Trends or Google News you’d be looking at exactly what I’m talking about. These are topics or trends that are getting headlines right now, and if you can somehow hook in with something that adds to the conversation you have a really good chance of getting found in search!

Take a look at this screenshot of today’s Google Trends as a perfect example:

Right now these are the top trends hitting Google…

The Buccaneers vs Cowboys is at the top, and it’s already subsided (because the game was yesterday) but there are a ton of searches for that term.

Let’s say your podcast was about football — and if you had a live stream that covered the game… there is a good chance you’d get a listener or two!

Get Crafty With Search

Another way to grow your audience is to create podcast episodes around helping people. Maybe your not so tied to sports, but instead you focus on dating and attraction.

If you wanted to get in front of the right audience (lets say you were angling towards men) then a good podcast episode might be about how to tell if a girl likes you.

Why would that work? Glad you asked…

If you did a little keyword research to see how many times that’s searched for per month you’d see it’s searched for about 10,000 times! That’s 120,000 searches a YEAR!

Then if you did a little Google search on the topic you’d see this:

Did you notice something here?

I’ll give you a hint. It starts with You and ends in Tube.

Courney Ryan (whoever that is, I don’t know!) has almost a million views on YouTube for that exact topic!

Did you notice YouTube shows up very high in a lot of search results. Hint, hint.

Making Content To Meet a Demand

If you’re able to hook your episode to a traffic booster you WILL get an audience. The trick is figuring out the right audience, the right demand, and the right answer for those folks looking the thing up.

Not only will you be helping people, but Google will reward you for doing so! From their perspective they are selling advertising, and doing everything they can to keep people on their platform. That means giving away free email (gmail) free web browsers (Chrome) and basically everything for free to keep you engaged. If you can help them by providing the best solutions to someone’s search query they will reward you with a high rank = audience members that come to watch / listen to your podcast with an interest in what you have to say from the jump! 

If you want to learn a little more about this stuff, please click here to join my mailing list and get a copy of my free monetization guide.

Use Budget-Friendly Equipment and Software

One of the biggest myths about podcasting is that you need expensive gear to produce high-quality audio.

Here’s how to get started without breaking the bank:

• USB Microphones: Affordable mics like the Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB deliver excellent audio at a fraction of the cost of professional gear.
• Headphones: A decent pair of over-ear headphones will help you monitor your audio during recording.
• Free Recording Software: Tools like Audacity (available for Windows, Mac, and Linux) and GarageBand (for Mac users) are perfect for beginners and offer all the essential editing features you’ll need.

Even a podcast recorded in your living room can sound professional with the right tools. Click here for our equipment helper.

Record and Edit Your Podcast for Free

Recording your podcast is fun, but editing is where the magic happens. Follow these steps for clean, professional audio:

• Choose the right space: Record in a quiet room with minimal background noise. Adding soft furnishings like rugs or curtains can help reduce echo.
• Edit your audio: Use free software like Audacity to remove filler words, balance audio levels, and cut out background noise. If you want an even easier editing process, Descript is an excellent tool for beginners that automatically transcribes and lets you edit audio-like text.

Good audio quality is crucial for listener retention, so it’s worth taking the time to clean up your episodes. Click here to learn about free podcast hosting.

Host and Distribute Your Podcast on Free Platforms

To get your podcast in front of listeners, you need to host it somewhere. Luckily, there are several free podcast hosting platforms available:

• Anchor: A completely free hosting platform that automatically distributes your podcast to major directories like Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Spotify for Podcasters: Another free option with built-in analytics allows you to see precisely how your podcast performs.

Once your podcast is hosted, submit it to directories like Apple, Google, and Spotify. These platforms will help you reach a broad audience without spending a dime.

Promote Your Podcast and Grow Your Audience

Promotion is key to getting those first listeners when you’re starting with no audience. Here are a few ways to grow your podcast without spending any money:

• Be active on social media: Share your episodes on platforms like YouTube or where ever your target audience hangs out. Repurpose your podcast content into bite-sized clips for Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn.
• Collaborate with other podcasters: One of the quickest ways to grow your audience is to do promo swaps or guest on other podcasts. This allows for cross-promotion and you can tap into an existing audience that’s already interested in your topic.
• Engage with your listeners: Encourage feedback and build a community around your podcast. Reply to comments, answer questions, and involve your audience in shaping future content.

Building an engaged audience takes time, but these strategies will help you grow your listener base from zero.

Monetize Your Podcast Without an Audience

Click here for my favorite podcast host with monetization options

Once you’ve built a small but engaged audience, you can start thinking about monetization. Here are a few ways to earn from your podcast without needing a massive following:

• Affiliate marketing: Promote relevant products or services related to your podcast’s niche and earn commissions on sales through your affiliate links. If your podcast is about crafts, maybe you promote the Cricut machine or other craft-friendly products.
• Listener donations: Platforms like Patreon allow fans to support you directly in exchange for bonus content or ad-free episodes.
• Sponsorships: Even small podcasts can attract sponsors if they have a highly targeted audience. Consider pitching local businesses or brands that align with your podcast’s topic.

Monetization options grow as your audience does, but you can start small and build from there.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

When starting a podcast, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:

• Neglecting audio quality: Poor audio is one of the quickest ways to lose listeners. Invest time in editing and ensure your episodes sound professional.
• Copying other podcasts: Find your voice and perspective. While it’s okay to take inspiration, your podcast should offer something unique.
• Obsessing over numbers: Growth takes time. Focus on delivering quality content that is valuable and engaging; the numbers will come.

Avoiding these mistakes will help set you up for long-term success.

Conclusion

Starting a podcast without an audience or budget is entirely possible if you have the right plan and tools. By defining your niche, creating quality content, and promoting strategically, you can grow your podcast from the ground up. Focus on consistency, engage with your listeners, and don’t get discouraged by slow initial growth. Your podcasting journey starts now, so get recording!