podcasting

Easiest Ways to Start a Podcast For Free in 2020

So you want to start a podcast? Well, you made the right choice and have come to the right place in learning how to start! Starting a podcast might seem daunting but not to worry, below you will find 10 easy ways to start your podcast in no time. Make sure you check out step 8, as it would amaze you to start podcasting immediately.

Podcasting is a free service that allows Internet users to receive audio files (typically MP3s) from a podcasting website to listen to on their computers or personal digital audio players anywhere and anytime. The term “podcasting” comes from a combination of the words iPod (a personal digital audio player made by Apple) and broadcasting.

As of today, podcasting is way less competitive than blogging, so if you were waiting for the right time to start your podcast, it’s now. Without further ado let’s dive into these steps and get you running your own podcast.

 

Step #1: Choose Your Niche And Target Audience

select a niche

This is the most critical step to starting a podcast because without knowing exactly what, why and who you are doing it for; you have no chance of building an audience. If you are looking to start let’s say a training and fitness podcast then your target audience would be people who are interested in bodybuilding, weight loss or exercise.

If you’re creating a motivation podcast or lifestyle podcast or entertainment podcast, then your target audience would simply be people with the same passion.

 

Step #2: Choose a Name For Your Podcast

what is your name

Choosing a suitable name for your podcast is very crucial when starting a podcast. You will want to choose a name which leaves no doubt as to what your podcast is about; only then would you be able to capture your target audience.

You must also make sure the name of your podcast is catchy and memorable, that is, it should not be too long and should be easy for your audience to remember. You should also note that you’ll need to say your podcast name quite a lot when recording your episodes, so make sure it rolls off the tongue.

Using free tools like BustAName, Nameboy and Namemesh are important in helping you generate a suitable name for your podcast.

 

Step #3: Decide on How Long Your Episodes Would be

deci

You’ll find a number of “experts” who claim that a certain number of hours are perfect for podcasting but the truth is you don’t need to extend or shorten your podcast just because a certain length has been said to be the perfect one. There are five minutes podcasts and there are seven-hour podcasts, the trick is to find whatever works for you and run with it!

This means you should decide how long your episodes are only by your content and audience.

 

Step #4: Decide on How Often You Release an Episode

how often

You should decide on how often you want to be releasing your episodes, so as to maintain a level of consistency and so your audience would know when to expect your episodes.

Doing this would not only get you a loyal fan base but also give you room to plan your episodes strategically.

 

Step #5: Choose Good Episode Titles

good episode titles

Just like choosing a name for your podcast, choosing good, searchable and descriptive titles for your episodes is very important. You must make sure not to name your episodes with titles like “Episode 1”, “Episode 2” and so on.

Your audience won’t know what to expect if you name them this way so you should make it clear to them what they would be listening to by stating clearly what the episode is about in the title.

 

Step #6: Select the Best Recording Pieces of Equipment

podcast equipments

Finally, it’s time to start recording, you must make sure to get recording equipment which would give you the best audio quality.

The most essential podcast equipment you will need is a computer and a reliable microphone. Try not to use the microphone of your computer, so as to enable clear communication with your audience.

Later on, you can get: a mixer to put your podcast together, A pair of noise-cancelling headphones that allow you to (literally) plug into your recording, A pop filter or windscreen that will greatly minimize or prevent plosives and so on.

 

Step #7: Edit Your Podcast Perfectly

edit podcast

There are various editing softwares that can be used to edit your podcast. Editing your podcast enables you to remove unwanted parts or interferences in your recordings.

For starters, I recommend using Audacity and Garageband. They are so easy to use, learn and are both free. So, choose one which works best for you.

 

Step #8: Choose Your Podcast Hosting

podcast hosting

After you record and edit your podcast episode, you need a place to put it so you can make it an official podcast.

The best and free all-in-one platform where you can createdistribute, and monetize your podcast from any device is Anchor. Anchor provides you with easy-to-use creation tools, 100% free hosting and wide distribution.

It’s a common misconception, but iTunes and Google Podcasts doesn’t host your actual .mp3 files, they just read an RSS feed and allow people to play your files hosted elsewhere.

 

Step #9: Submit to Directories

podcast directories

Once you’ve uploaded your podcast to your media host of choice, you can then submit it to various directories, where listeners can discover, subscribe to, and download it.

Some of the best tools and apps that listeners go to listen to podcasts are Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify and so on.

 

Step #10: Spread The Word

spread the word

Publishing your podcast is only the first part of the work as now you have to spread the word of your podcast, that is, promote your podcast heavily to get people listening. Sharing links of every episode created to family and friends helps in spreading the word faster.

Most importantly, creating a dedicated and responsive website that explains details of your upcoming programmes, contact and mp3 files is a sure way of increasing your audience.





Conclusion

Starting a podcast is very easy when you specifically select a niche or type of audience you want to target. Next is to choose a unique name that makes you stand out and let your audience know what your podcast is about, provided it is not too long.

Another important thing to note about is deciding on how long your episodes would be and how often would you be releasing an episode.

What makes your podcast distinct is using great and catchy episode titles that explain to your audience what they are about to listen to. Also by choosing the best recording types of equipment, you make communication clear.

Lastly, Publishing your podcast with any of the best hosting media and submitting to directories enable your audience to listen and enjoy you in any part of the world.

So there you have it, hope this article has given you an understanding of what you need to do to start your podcast.

Let us know in the comments. What other strategies have you tried in starting your podcast, that is not included in this guide?

 

Frequently Asked Questions on Podcasting

What is a Podcast?

A Podcast is a digital audio file or a form of audio broadcasting made available on the Internet, typically available as a series. It can be listened to on the go while commuting to the office or even while working.

How and Where can I listen to Podcasts?

The easiest way to listen to podcasts is via mobile apps on your Android or IOS device. For Android users, head over to Play Store and search for 'Google Podcasts'. Download and install it, then use the search bar to search for any podcast of your choice and start listening for free. Also, iPhone users can enjoy listening to podcasts through iTunes.

Where can I host my Podcast for free?

There are tons of places where you can host your podcast. Examples of free mediums where you can host your podcast for free are:

• Anchor

• BuzzSprout

What is the best Podcast to listen to?

There are lots of interesting podcasts online that are educative, motivating and inspiring. Some recommended ones are:

• American Innovations

• Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu

• Side Hustle School

• Ted Talks Daily

• Think Like A CEO

• Developer Tea

 

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