You’ve decided to start a podcast, but you’re not quite sure what all you’re going to need to create a truly successful show. Of course, a great podcast always starts with a great idea, so spend a lot of time determining how the show will be laid out, who the hosts are and what types of guests you’ll invite to be a part of the show as well. Once the ideas are flowing, it’s time to invest in an all-in-one podcasting bundle to get you started. You’ll want to purchase affordable podcasting equipment as soon as you’ve committed to your idea because it will take longer to learn how to use than you might expect. However, if you’re not careful, you may end up dropping way too much money on very high-end products that your podcast doesn’t need. Here’s how you can find quality products while maintaining a reasonable budget.
Purchase Affordable Podcasting Equipment
The type of equipment you buy is going to greatly impact the clarity of the audio and the overall quality of the show. Because of this, it’s extremely important to do plenty of research before actually making a purchase. You’ll need to find a quality microphone and invest in a mic stand, audio mixer and headphones. These are the basic devices every podcaster uses, but as you become better and your audience grows, there are additional tools you can use to boost sound quality. Some people get nervous about buying cheap equipment and end up spending tons of money on professional equipment that isn’t necessary for a brand new podcast. Save yourself the trouble and purchase affordable podcasting equipment with solid reviews.
Take Advantage of Free Editing Software
Behind equipment costs, editing programs are the most important and potentially most expensive aspect of launching a podcast. Your editing software is vital because the process of cutting and pulling together the show is very time-consuming and using a program that makes it even more difficult will lengthen the process and create additional frustrations. However, this is also an area where you can easily cut costs if you’re working on a low budget. Dozens of free editing apps exist that are actually very good programs. Don’t worry about buying expensive software when you can edit your show for free, but be sure to do your research and find the best free editing apps for podcasts.
Use Stock Music or Create Your Own
A small detail that is easy to forget about until you’re recording and editing the podcast, music is vital to introducing your show, setting the tone and transitioning between segments. You might have a song in mind that you’d really like to incorporate into the show, but buying music rights to popular songs can be very pricey. Instead, try to integrate free stock music to cut costs. There are hundreds of songs available that you can use within the podcast.
Though some stock music may feel cheesy or not fit for your show, there are so many options that you’re sure to find something that will work and save you money. In fact, the popular TV show Always Sunny in Philadelphia filmed their entire intro on a handheld device and featured stock music. As the show grew and gained much more funding, the creators decided to keep the low-budget introduction because it was so popular amongst the fan base. If you’re musically inclined, you could also consider writing your own music, but keep in mind that this may make your production time longer.
Find the Right Hosting Site
This is a step in the podcast creation process that many people forget until they’re already involved in the project. Without somewhere to host your episodes, people won’t be able to listen to the show. But, hosting services can be expensive, so you need to find a site that is both affordable and easy to access. Your hosting site is where you upload every episode and then use the RSS feed to make the show available on apps like Apple Music or Spotify. Hosting is a service that you’re going to want to pay for if you want a quality site that can handle large audio files, but when you’re just starting out, you don’t need to spend a lot because your audience base is going to take time to grow. Opt for one of the top podcast hosting sites and choose a beginner package, which can be as low as $20 per month, until you’ve gained a larger follower base and racked up more episodes that need hosting.
Design Your Own Website
If you want people to find and listen to your podcast, you’re going to need a website where listeners can go for more information on the show and link back to downloadable episodes. However, paying someone to design a website can become expensive very quickly. In the beginning, your site doesn’t need to be fancy. As long as it includes information on the show and the hosts, a schedule of releases and a link to download episodes, you’re good to go. You can save money here by creating the website yourself on sites like Wix or WordPress. These sites are very user-friendly and designed to walk people through the website creation process.
Use Social Media as a Promotional Tool
Without a plan for how to promote your podcast, you’ll find it very difficult to attract listeners outside your personal connections like friends and family. Don’t spend tons of money on paid advertisements though. Social media is a cheap and very effective way to introduce your podcast to your target audience. Create an account and begin posting about the show release, upcoming guests and the hosts of the show. This is a step you can start working on before you’ve even released the podcast to create a buzz around the show and make people excited for the release.
Launching a podcast takes a lot of time, dedication, planning and money. But, it doesn’t have to break the bank if you spend your money wisely. Purchase affordable podcasting equipment that promises high-quality audio, find a cheap hosting site with everything you need and use social media as a free promotional platform. With these steps in mind, you’ll be able to create a successful podcast without breaking the bank.
About the Author: Ethan Long is the business development director for MovoPhoto.com. Before starting with them, he worked in advertising in NYC where he gained over eight years of experience in content and video marketing. In his free time, he enjoys being outside, learning new photo and videography techniques, and spending time with his wife and their dog, Rory.
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