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Table of contents:
How to start a podcast for free: 10 steps
Step 2: Find a recording space in your home
Step 3: Sign up for your free podcast recording tool & host
Step 5: Record your first episode
Step 7: Upload to your podcast host & distribute
Step 8: Promote your podcast episode
Key takeaways:
- Starting a podcast for free is entirely possible: You don't need to spend any money to launch a podcast. With careful planning, a good recording space, and free recording, editing, and hosting tools, you can create a high-quality podcast without a budget.
- Choosing the right free tools is essential: Several free podcasting tools are available for recording, editing, and hosting. Look for platforms that offer high-quality audio, allow remote guest recordings, and provide essential features like automatic transcriptions and easy publishing.
- Consistency and promotion are key to growth: Creating and sharing your podcast consistently will help build your audience. Promotion strategies like optimizing for podcast SEO, using social media, and listing your show on multiple platforms will improve visibility and engagement.
- Riverside is a powerful free podcasting tool: Riverside.fm is highlighted as a top choice for recording and editing podcasts for free. It offers high-quality local recording, a built-in editor, and seamless integration with platforms like Spotify, making it an excellent option for podcasters at any level.
You can start a podcast for free, trust me.
In fact, starting a podcast for free is not that unusual or challenging.
And it doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing quality!
In this guide, I’ll explain how to start a podcast for free in 10 steps. Let’s get started!
How to start a podcast for free: 10 steps
Ready to get started as a podcaster? Here’s how to do it without spending a dime. But before you start, help yourself with this short checklist on how to launch a podcast from Creatively Contenting.
Step 1: Plan your podcast
Before you jump to recording your inaugural episode, you’ve got to dedicate some time to planning and ideation. Though this might sound boring or even unnecessary, planning can take a lot of stress out of the process in the long run. And since you only need your creativity and brain power, there’s nothing to lose!
At this stage, you should try to refine your podcast identity, plan out some episodes (however roughly), and, if you’re recording with remote guests, align your calendars.
Step 2: Find a recording space in your home
Next, you’ll need to identify a suitable recording space. Don’t worry—you don’t need a fully sound-treated studio to record high-quality audio.
However, it is worth finding the ideal space to which you have access, as this will maximize your chances of recording flawless audio.
If you want some tips, check out our guide to building a home studio.
Step 3: Sign up for your free podcast recording tool and host
Next, sign up and create an account with your chosen podcast recording tool and host.
Sure, you could use your phone to record, but many free recording tools will provide much higher quality immediately. Look for a tool that provides high-quality audio (and video for video podcasts). Also, watch for recording limits on any free plan to ensure they fit your needs.
Signing up for a recording tool like Riverside is super easy - and it’s free. (Plus, you’ll get some of the highest quality recordings in the business - just sayin’!)
As for a podcast host, there are many free podcast hosting platforms to choose from. Look for a free option with enough storage and bandwidth and one that you like to use that has an easy-to-follow interface.
Step 4: Set up your equipment
Next, you’ll want to prepare to record. That means setting up your home studio and equipment. Note that I’m using the term “home studio” lightly here. The equipment will likely be minimal if you’re creating a podcast for free.
Even if your setup is pretty straightforward, ensuring everything works and interacts properly is essential. Test your microphone and webcam. Try out your recording tools and make sure you understand how they work. And do what you can to optimize your home recording space for higher-quality audio.
"When I started, I didn’t throw money at anything. I used Audacity for editing and Anchor for hosting. Both were free and easy to figure out. My first mic wasn’t fancy—just something basic I already owned. I’d record in the quietest corner of my house and spend time editing out the rough parts. It wasn’t perfect, but the content kept people coming back. Over time, I upgraded equipment, but that wasn’t what mattered in the beginning. -Doug Cunnington, Founder @ Niche Site Project
Read more: Best Podcast Equipment for Beginners & Pros on a $100 Budget
Step 5: Record your first episode
When you’re all set up and ready to go, it’s time for the exciting part: recording your first episode. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the process.
Recording is straightforward with Riverside. It supports remote recording with up to 10 guests, provides a teleprompter to keep you on script, and records content locally (to your computer), ensuring the highest quality.
Read more: How to Record a Podcast like a Pro (The Easy Way)
Step 6: Edit your recording
When you’re finished with your recording session, you’ll need to prepare your raw recording for publication. This doesn’t necessarily mean granular intervention, but most podcasts can benefit from at least some minor adjustments.
Riverside’s editor makes this easy. You can polish your audio in a click, edit your transcript (Riverside creates one automatically during recording), and instantly create chapters, takeaways, and show notes.
Step 7: Upload to your podcast host and distribute
When your podcast is ready to go, you’ll need to upload your recording to your podcast host for distribution. This typically involves uploading:
- Your audio file
- Episode title
- Podcast description
- Episode artwork (optional)
- Publish date - you can schedule it immediately or for a future date.
Your host will generate an RSS feed link, a unique URL that podcast directories use to fetch your latest episodes.
Some hosting platforms automatically distribute your podcast to Spotify, Apple, and other podcast directories, while others require manual submission.
Step 8: Promote your podcast episode
Once your podcast is live, you’ll need to do some work to promote it. Ensuring you are on several podcasting directories will help. Some other key promotion methods include:
- Promoting your podcast on social media
- Leveraging podcast SEO
- Creating a podcast website or blog
You should also reach out to your network and ask them to share the new episode with their friends. Do your best to get reviews from your listeners.
"Starting a podcast for free is entirely possible with the right tools. I focused on organic growth through social media, particularly LinkedIn, where I had an established professional network. I shared each new episode on platforms like Spotify and YouTube, both of which are free to use. Over time, I relied on word-of-mouth and listener recommendations to grow the podcast’s reach. By focusing on organic promotion and using free platforms, I was able to start and grow Scaling Today without spending any money upfront." - Yuying Deng, Scaling Today
Read more: Podcast Promotion: 14 Podcast Promotion Ideas That You Can Use Today
Step 9: Monetize your content
Although this isn’t a necessary step, you can also choose to monetize your content to start making money from your podcast. This means that even if you decide to incur some costs to improve your podcast, you can offset these with a little income.
Your podcast host might offer integrated monetization features such as dynamic advertising or subscriptions. You can also set up a third-party Patreon account to accept donations from your listeners.
Learn more: How to Make Money Podcasting: 12 Effective Ways
Step 10: Repeat
When you’ve got this process down, it’s just a matter of consistently repeating this workflow.
I recommend learning as you go. Figure out what’s working for you regarding content types, workflows, and any other part of the process.
Then, all you have to do is get a little bit better with each episode. And remember that you don’t need a big budget to get started (or be successful) as a podcaster. Many of the best-known podcasters had very humble beginnings!
Starting a Podcast for Free with Riverside
Now that I’ve given you a broad overview of the 10 steps to starting a podcast for free, let’s dive into the details and look at how to podcast with Riverside.
First, though, let’s take a brief look at Riverside’s key features (all available for free):
- Local recording: Your podcast is always recorded directly on your and your participants’ devices rather than over the internet. This means that the internet connection won’t affect your recording resolution.
- Remote guests: Include up to 10 remote participants in your recording.
- Text-based video and audio editor. The integrated editor allows you to edit your podcast like a doc for fast, easy cuts.
- Livestream to major platforms: Use this option as a different way to include your audience in your recording process.
- Browser-based or mobile app: Record on the go from your laptop or mobile phone.
- Automatic transcriptions: Riverside's automatic transcription feature makes your content as accessible and repurposable as it should be with Riverside’s automatic transcription feature. This makes creating captions easy!
Step 1: Create a free account
Sign up for a free account with Riverside (no credit card required). For the best results and experience, use Google Chrome.
Step 2: Create your podcast in Riverside
Click “+New studio” from your dashboard and give it a name.
Choose whether you want it to be an “Audio & Video” podcast or just “Audio Only.”
When you’re happy, click “Create.”
Step 3: Invite remote guests or move on to recording
From there, you’ll arrive at your studio with several options. You can schedule a recording and invite guests or go straight to recording.
To start recording, click "Record." If you want to invite guests first and set up a time for your recording session, click "Schedule."
You can invite remote guests by scheduling a session and inviting them to it or by sending them a link to your studio.
Step 4: Start recording
When everyone has entered the studio and is ready, hit the red “Record” button at the bottom of your screen to start your session. Each participant’s local recording will progressively upload throughout your session.
This ensures high-quality audio and video, even if your internet connection is less than ideal. (It also means you won’t have to wait around for your content to upload after your session—such a drag.)
When you’re finished recording, hit the “Stop” button.
Remember to remind your guests not to close their browser windows until their files have been fully processed. This will ensure that your recording uploads properly.
Step 6: Retrieve your recording
Once your session is over, you can retrieve your recording. As soon as the recording uploads, you’ll see a popup that prompts you to “View recordings.” This is where you’ll find your files. From here, you can download your recording or head straight to the Editor to prepare it for publication.
Step 7: Use the editor to polish your work
Click “Edit” at the top of your screen, and you’ll be taken to Riverside’s integrated editor tool. Here, you can trim and cut your recording, customize your content, and optimize your audio before exporting it for publication.
With Riverside, your content is automatically transcribed as it is recorded. Then, you can use the transcript to easily navigate and edit your recordings by deleting words from the text.
The editor also has tools to help you polish your audio, create show notes, add captions, and customize your layout.
Step 8: Share Your Content
Once you’ve created and edited your content, the last step is to share it with your audience! Riverside makes this easy, too. You can share your recording directly with Spotify, Transistor, and Castos and on social media platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok.
FAQs on How to Start a Podcast for Free
Still looking for information? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
How much does it cost to start a podcast?
Honestly, a podcast can cost as much or as little as you want or need it to. While hobbyists might spend between $0 and a few hundred dollars, professional podcasters can spend thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars per year.
As this article's title suggests, starting a podcast for free is entirely possible. Even if you have nothing to spare to get your podcast up and running, don’t worry - it’s doable without spending a cent.
Can just anyone start a podcast for free?
Anyone and everyone can start a podcast for free. That’s the beauty of the medium - there is a super low barrier to entry. Equipped with just a mobile phone or laptop, recording software, and a podcast host, you can make waves in the podcasting world.
Learn more: How to Record a Podcast On iPhone (& iPad) | Full Guide 2024
Do podcasters make money?
Podcasters who monetize their content can make serious returns on their work. How much podcasters make depends on a lot of factors. To make money podcasting, you’ll need to either cultivate a loyal fanbase that will subscribe to your content or secure a sponsorship or advertising deal based on your podcast’s performance and reach.
How long does it take to make money from a podcast?
There is no set timeline for how long it will take for your podcast to make money. This depends on audience numbers, popularity, and whether your niche and show appeal to potential advertisers and sponsors.
Where can I create a free podcast?
There are lots of options when it comes to creating a free podcast. Look for free podcast recording software, editing software, and hosting platforms. You can use Riverside for free to record and edit. It even connects directly to Spotify for Creators, so you’ll also have free hosting taken care of!
What is required to start a podcast for free?
Luckily, starting a podcast for free involves a mix of working with what you already have and harnessing a few free tools. You’ll have a full podcasting setup in no time:
An idea
You can’t start a podcast without an idea and a plan. You need to have a vision for what your podcast will be about, how you’re going to format it, and what you’ll record. Preparation, consistency, and passion are key - if you can tick these three boxes, you’re set.
Mobile Phone/Computer
You’ll need a mobile phone, laptop, or desktop to record, produce, and publish your podcast.
Mic
If you’re starting from scratch, chances are you don’t have an external mic lying around. Don’t worry - you can use your phone or computer’s built-in microphone, although remember that this may result in lower-quality recordings in the long run.
Camera
If you want to create a video podcast, use your computer’s built-in camera or the webcam you use for work. You could also use your phone’s camera. This is often the better option because some phones, like iPhones, shoot in 4k quality.
Podcasting recording software
A podcast recording tool is absolutely essential. It is key to capturing your audio and potentially including remote guests in your recording. Luckily, several free and affordable paid tools are available, such as Riverside and Garageband.
Free podcast host
Last but not least, you’ll need a free podcast host. A podcast host stores and distributes your podcast episodes. Various free podcast hosts, such as Anchor, offer key insights into your podcast’s performance and help you monetize your content.
How can I start a podcast for free on Spotify?
Spotify offers one of the best free hosting platforms available now - Spotify for Creators. The platform is also integrated with Riverside so you can record, edit, and distribute your podcast all in one place.
Spotify allows podcasters to upload and store unlimited episodes and offers some of the broadest distribution available. It even includes monetization opportunities for podcasters via revenue sharing and ad integration programs. And did I mention that all these tools are available for free?
How can I start a podcast for free on Apple?
Although Apple Podcasts has some paid features, it doesn’t charge podcasters for being included on the platform.
If you have a hosting platform that provides an RSS feed, getting set up on Apple Podcasts for free should be easy. Set up your podcast with a free podcast host (like Spotify for Podcasters), and then submit your RSS feed to Apple Podcasts.
And that’s it! Your new episodes will appear on Apple Podcasts as you upload them to your host.
How can I start a podcast for free on Youtube?
YouTube is free to use - and with more than 2.7 billion monthly active users, it presents a fantastic opportunity for podcasters.
Recent surveys suggest that more than 30% of listeners use YouTube for podcast listening.
To start a podcast for free on YouTube, simply create your content using a free recording tool like Riverside, create a channel for yourself, and upload your content to the platform.
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