The podcast is one of the best ways to spread creators' words, and the listeners are growing daily.
So, almost all the creators now want to start a podcast on specific topics they know well and grow their audience. So, companies, from startups to big corporates, have created a podcast to maximize their reach.
Here, one definite question comes into mind: how to start a podcast for free.
I will teach you how to start a podcast for free and tell you the best software and equipment.
What is a Podcast?
Podcasts are a form of audio broadcasting that can be streamed or downloaded. Podcasts differ from other audio broadcasts because listeners can download and play conveniently.
They also have no time constraints, meaning listeners can listen to them when they want to.
Podcasts were first developed in the early 2000s and have since become the most popular form of audio on the internet. Podcast listenership has grown exponentially since then, with nearly one-third of U.S. adults have listened to a podcast in the past month (Nielsen).
There are many benefits to starting a podcast, but it is not an easy task to complete without some preparation and research.
Some people may think that starting a podcast is as simple as just recording themselves talking about their favorite topic for an hour or two each week, but this is not true.
This article will provide tips on starting a podcast for free and offer resources for more information about this growing medium.
Why Start a Podcast?
Podcasts are one of the fastest-growing audio formats in the World. The number of people listening to podcasts has grown from 12 million in 2008 to more than 50 million. The audience for podcasts has been growing all over the World, even in India, too.
A podcast is an episodic series of digital audio or video files distributed over the internet using syndication feeds for playback on mobile devices and personal computers.
So, for creating an audience and monetization, the Podcast is one of the best channels that most content creators, and corporate are stated. At the same time, the podcasters are getting sponsored by leading brands.
According to KPMG's Media and Entertainment Report 2020, India's podcast consumption increased by 29.3 percent in the first year of the pandemic. With 57.6 million monthly listeners, India is the third-largest consumer of podcasts (after the United States and China), according to PwC's Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2020 study, and is expected to reach 17.61 million by 2023.
Read detailed articles: https://www.indiatimes.com/explainers/news/indias-podcast-market-podcasts-562877.html
Where to Find Free Podcasts Ideas to Create Your Episodes.
There are a lot of free content ideas available on the internet to help you create your show. You can find plenty of free audio content ideas to start with, video content ideas, and even more in-depth topics like tips on how to write your show.
You can visit the marketplaces such as Google podcasts, Apple podcasts, and Amazon podcasts to get popular podcast ideas.
It would help if you shortlisted the tropics that seem reasonable or better for you. Then, please choose only one out of them, and start Podcast on it. Stay focused, create valuable content that your audience loves to listen to, and get their trust. Before making a podcast, you must plan, research, and record your content.
Choosing the Best Equipment for Your Podcast.
Podcasting has been on the rise in recent years. Podcasts are great for connecting with listeners and creating a loyal following. However, to be successful, you need the right equipment.
Initially, you can record podcasts/voices using your smartphone and earphone. Then, download the mobile apps such as Anchor or Hubhopper from the Google play store for free podcast hosting . Then, you can add loyalty-free podcast music available within them, publish podcasts, and distribute them to other podcast hosting channels.
After your initial confidence in the podcasts you made and published, you may purchase the microphones and editing software if your podcasts will draw the listeners' attention and download.
Two main microphones used for podcasts: USB mics and XLR mics. USB mics are more affordable, but they don't always sound as good as XLR mics. XLR mics can be used with professional audio equipment and provide better sound quality, but they cost more than a USB mic.
If you're starting, it's best to get a USB mic because it's cheaper and will allow you to see if podcasting is something that you want to pursue.
However, before investing in an expensive microphone, that may not be worth the investment if podcasting is not a primary source of income.
On the other hand, if you're looking to invest in a microphone, the Sennheiser e935 USB mic is an excellent option because it provides professional audio quality and it's XLR-compatible.
Read: Best and cheapest podcast kit (Amazon Links Inside.)
Best Podcast Hosting Providers.
After recording your podcasts, upload them to the hosting providers. Web hosting is different from podcast hosting. Web hosting is where the website theme, files, photos, and all other contents are uploaded. On the other side, Podcasts are hosted on Podcast Hosting. Why separate podcast hosting is required because podcasts have a little bigger size that will slow down the website speed, that's why different hosting for Podcasts is needed.
Here, the Podcast hosting providers are Podbean, BuzzSprout, Transistor, Libsyn, Captivate, and RSS.
Read: The detailed reviews of the World's Best Podcast Hosting Providers.
Podcast Creation Workflow & Editing Software
Podcasts have become a popular form of content. They are a great way to share information and ideas with listeners.
The workflow of podcast creation can divide into four main steps: Recording, Editing, Publishing, and Marketing.
We need to use free podcast recording and editing software like Audacity.
There are many other different podcast recording software options available today, so it's essential to find one that suits your needs best.
Once you have edited the audio track, it is ready to publish on your website, blogs, courses, YouTube channel, or social media.
How to Promote and Distribute Your Podcast.
All Podcast Hosting Providers have an auto or manual distribution system on all popular podcast platforms like Apple, Google, Stitcher, Spotify, Amazon Music, JioSaavn, Gaana, Hubbhopper, etc.
Podcasts vs. YouTube Videos.
YouTube is one of the most popular video-sharing platforms, with over 1 billion users. It has been the go-to video-sharing platform since its inception in 2005. With YouTube, you can upload and share videos on your channel or embed it on a website.
Podcasts are a relatively new form of media that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Podcasts are audio recordings that consist of voice recordings along with music and sound effects to create a more immersive experience for listeners.
They both have advantages and disadvantages: YouTube is great for editing, but podcasts are better for storytelling and engaging listeners.