Starting a podcast should be FUN! It’s a great way to get your voice heard and make connections. However, a common misconception is that you have to spend a lot to sound great. It’s simply not true!
If you’re just getting started and you haven’t decided if this is a fleeting hobby or a long-term project, it makes sense to be wary of expensive podcasting equipment or hosting sites. If you’re looking to get your podcast off the gournd while spending next to nothing, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s what you’ll need to start your podcast on a budget.
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Microphone
Software
Hosting
Art
Free Checklist!
Microphones
You’ve researched for weeks, you’ve prepared your witty banter and you’re feeling great about the content you’re recording. I’m here to tell you, none of that matters if your audience can’t hear you clearly.
“But, my laptop comes with a built-in microphone,” you may say. “It works fine for my Zoom calls and meetings“. And that may be true, but when you’re producing content meant for audio-only, you need to go a step further and invest in something that will make you sound clear and professional. And luckily, there are a lot of great options that won’t break the bank.
Blue Snowball Microphone, $48 on Amazon
Queens Podcast has been using the Blue Snowball Microphone since our very first episode back in 2017. This reliable little mic has even been featured in some of our fun Instagram shots over the years.
Currently, this tried and true microphone is $48 on Amazon, but it often goes on sale and is an investment you will not regret. While some complain that Blue is basic, in the last 4 years, we have never had any issues. Just plug it into the USB port of your laptop and get to podcasting! Also, if nearly $50 is more than you were planning to spend on your budget beginnings, don’t worry. This is the most expensive item on this list!
Recording and Editing Software
Now, that you’ve got your mic and you’re ready to record, you may be wondering how to get your voice recorded and your story sounding great! You’ll need to download recording and editing software. If you’re not a tech-y person, this may sound daunting. But we promise it’s quite simple once you get going.
Audacity, FREE
Queens Podcast recommends the free application Audacity for new podcasters. While there may be more sophisticated software available, once you learn this super intuitive (and did we mention free?) software, recording and editing is a breeze. You can record straight into it or you can upload your MP3 files and edit on one or multiple tracks.
The best thing about Audacity is the community around it. Given the zero-dollar price tag, there are millions of users who are happy to share their tips in message boards and YouTube videos. So, whatever issue you’re running into as you learn and grow, there is almost always someone to offer a helping word of advice.
Podcasting Hosts
Now that you have your first episode (or few episodes!) recorded and edited, you’re ready to go. But, how do you get your show out there? You need to sign up for a podcast hosting service. When you set up your show with a hosting site, this platform will help you to easily distribute your show to all of the most popular platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify and more.
These hosts can range from bare bones basic to incredibly robust, offering analytics and social media integrations. But since we’re talking about getting started on a budget, I’m happy to inform you that there are several FREE options to get started.
Note: You are never tied to your hosting site and can take your show elsewhere once your budget starts to grow along with your show.
3 Hosting Sites Offering FREE Plans
- Anchor.fm: Queens podcast has been using Anchor since 2020. This free hosting site has no monthly limits in storage and is great for beginners. Anchor does not offer any upgrades to paid plans, so as your show grows you may want to switch hosts.
- Acast: While the free plan is quite basic, there are no limitations on storage. If you plan to upgrade your plan Acast has great paid packages you can move to as your show grows without switching hosts.
- Buzzsprout: Growing to be one of the most popular podcasting host, Buzzsprout offers a free plan to get you started. However, the free plan only allows for 2 hours of podcasting a month. Depending on your goals, you may outgrow the free plan quickly.
Show Art
Now that you sound good, let’s make sure we look good to! Having unique show art will help your show stand out and is also a great tool to use on social platforms such as Instagram or Facebook.
But don’t worry! You don’t have to hire an expensive graphic designer to create standout show art.
Canva, Free
Canva is an incredible platform for branding and creating captivating art for your show. With hundreds of free templates, you don’t have to go to design school to create beautiful graphics for your show.
While Queens Podcast subscribes to a paid membership with Canva now, we created lots of fun cover art, twitter banners, and Instagram posts with the free version for about two years before upgrading!
Your FREE Checklist
As you can see, starting your podcast can be extremely affordable! It can cost you next to nothing to record, produce and distribute your show! So, what are you waiting for? Need a reminder of what you’ll need on the go? Download your free Queens Podcast checklist below.