Looking to save money on your podcast? Podcasting is an investment, but that doesn’t mean it has to break the bank. In fact, there are several ways to cut costs. So if you’re podcasting on a budget, let’s go over key money saving tips.
Go for the free option
Save money on your podcast by opting in for the free option. The best way to save money is to avoid making any purchases at all. So let’s go over all the freebies to save money on your podcast.
Hosting: Instead of spending €20+ a month on podcast hosting, go for one of the many free options such as Podbean, Buzzspout, or Anchor. These are just a few of the many free hosting options out there. However, before finalizing your podcast host, make sure to do some research. Between storage, bandwidth, and other features, each host has different offers to suit different needs.
Editing software: Just like podcast hosting, there are a variety of choices for free editing software such as Audacity and Audio Director. For all of the Mac users out there, you can use GarageBand, an audio production software available to Apple users.
Bonus tip: Looking to upgrade? Try out Adobe Premiere or Audition by signing up for a month free trial.
Marketing: One of the biggest issues for any content creator is growth. Instead of investing in a marketing agency or ads, utilize social media. It’s a great free tool to promote your podcast and build a community of engaged listeners. If social media isn’t your brew of choice, reach out to podcasters with a similar audience to see if you can make a guest appearance.
Cut costs where you can
Getting something for free is a nice feeling, but there may come a point where you’ll want to spend money on your podcast. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t save when you spend.
Here are a few areas where you can cut costs:
- Use what you have. Nowadays, most smart phones are equipped to record good quality audio (and video). If you’re an iPhone user, record using the Voice Memos app. Here’s a bonus tip: Some podcast hosts like Anchor have the ability to record audio using a mobile app. You can even use your phone to record video. If you haven’t considered utilizing video, read why video is becoming more important in the podcast industry.
- Before outsourcing, try learning. There are tons of free resources out there that will teach you how to do almost anything. YouTube is a great place to start. So the next time you get stuck in post-production and are tempted to hire an editor, learn by doing.
- Instead of purchasing equipment, try borrowing some. Ask friends and family if they have a microphone, headphones, or anything you’re missing in your podcast setup.
- Pick used over new. Check out Facebook Marketplace, Reverb, or your favorite discount store to find slightly used equipment. Please use caution: Make sure what you’re buying works. Do not be afraid to ask the seller to test the equipment in front of you if possible.
Join a podcast community to get help (and more)
Before spending money to solve a problem, reach out to the podcast community. Let’s go over a few key benefits:
- Free advice: Trying to figure out the best podcast host? Maybe you are weighing the pros and cons of outsourcing. If you have burning questions, podcasters have the answers—and it’s free.
- Collaboration: Working with other podcasters is a fun and beneficial experience. If you connect with another podcaster in your niche, collaborate by guesting on each other’s show. Not only can you grow both audiences, but make a new podcasting friend.
- Market research: Want to start a podcast? Maybe it’s for business or just for fun. Either way, utilize the podcast community as a resource for your market research.
- Support: Whether it’s friends or family, everyone needs a support system. Joining a podcast community does this. And if you need extra support, ask the community if someone wants to be accountability friends. This can be as simple as checking in with each other to see if tasks have been done.
Want to join a podcast community? Social media is a great tool to discover new communities. If you’re stuck on which platform to join, Facebook has several engaged podcast communities. For example, the Podcast Movement Facebook Group has over 74 thousand members.
Podcasting can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. Save money while podcasting with these money saving tips: go for the free option, cut costs where you can, and do not be afraid to ask for help from the podcast community. Happy podcasting.
At The Podcast Studios we work with companies, organisations, and individuals to help them tell their stories in audio form. If there is any part of your podcast journey that needs a professional touch, from start to finish, get in touch today by contacting us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.thepodcaststudios.ie
