When I first began thinking about starting my own podcast, the hardest part for me was trying to figure out how to actually make it happen.
Starting a podcast can get pretty expensive if you let it. If you’re wondering how to start a podcast for free, I can help you out!
All you should need is your phone and a free podcast host that gives you the most value and the most features.
But first:
Here’s Some Things To Think About
The process of getting your podcast out into the world is actually pretty easy. So, it helps to get some of the more creative stuff out of the way. I recommend having it all prepared so that when you actually start setting up your podcast, you’re not stuck feeling like you’re doing multiple projects. This is a short to-do list to complete before moving forward!
- Pick your podcast title.
- Consider the category/podcast genre.
- Have your podcast description ready.
- Record a one-minute trailer and/or your first episode.
- You can do this on your phone, tablet, or computer. Anything that allows you to record audio.
- Create your podcast cover art!
- Canva is a great free resource for your graphic design.
HostING Your Podcast
Somewhat in the way that you would store videos on Youtube, you need a designated space to store your podcast episodes. There are a bunch of podcast hosting options you can look into but not all of them are truly free. So here’s a list of some of the most popular FREE options:
- Anchor
Episode/Storage Limit | Unlimited |
Podcasts Per Account | 1 |
Monetization | Yes |
Distribution | Yes |
Analytics | Yes |
Website | No |
- Buzzsprout
Episode/Storage Limit | 2 hours per month 90 day trial period |
Podcasts Per Account | 1 |
Monetization | No |
Distribution | No |
Analytics | Yes |
Website | No |
- Spreaker
Episode/Storage Limit | 5 hours 10 episodes |
Podcasts Per Account | Multiple |
Monetization | No |
Distribution | Yes |
Analytics | 6-month statistics |
Website | No |
- Podbean
Episode/Storage Limit | 5 hours 3 episodes per day |
Podcasts Per Account | 1 |
Monetization | No |
Distribution | Yes |
Analytics | Basic |
Website | Yes |
- Acast
Episode/Storage Limit | Unlimited |
Podcasts Per Account | 1 |
Monetization | No |
Distribution | Limited |
Analytics | Basic |
Website | Yes |
- Podomatic
Episode/Storage Limit | 6 hours 20 episodes |
Podcasts Per Account | 1 |
Monetization | Yes |
Distribution | Yes |
Analytics | Basic |
Website | No |
OBVIOUSLY ANCHOR IS THE BEST FREE PODCAST HOSTING PLATFORM!
How To Start A Podcast For FREE with Anchor
1. Go to anchor.fm.
2. Click “Get started” in the top right corner.
3. Create your account.
4. Verify your email. Click “Let’s do it.”
5. Upload your trailer and/or your first episode. “Click to upload or drag files here.”
I usually have my podcasts pre-recorded and ready by the time I get into Anchor. With Anchor, you also have the option to record your podcast from your browser. You can use the library to hold onto the intro and outro of your podcast as well.
The episode I’m using for this tutorial is called “lost in the right direction.” If you’re interested in listening, click here!
6. Click “Save episode.” Then, enter the episode title, description, and desired publish date.
When you click the drop-down for “Publish Date,” you can choose to publish the episode immediately or schedule it for later. On this page, you’re able to engage with listeners by creating polls and asking your audience questions based on your content in Spotify. You can also customize the episode by adding season and episode numbers and specifying episode and content types.
7. When you finish up your episode details and click “Next” in the top right corner, you’re going to be prompted to “Set up your podcast.”
Enter your podcast name, your podcast description, your podcast category, and the podcast language.
8. If you hadn’t done so already in the Episode details, you will be prompted to upload your cover art.
Distributing Your Podcast
Your RSS feed is what helps you get your podcast on other platforms. These are some platforms where your podcast can be streamed:
- Spotify
- Anchor
- Apple Podcasts
- Google Podcasts
- Overcast
- Breaker
- Castbox
- Pocket Casts
- RadioPublic
- Stitcher
9. Go to settings. Click “Podcast Availability.”
Apart from Spotify and Anchor, you will be given specific instructions for adding your podcast to each platform by clicking the drop-downs for each option. Once you are approved in those directories you will receive a confirmation. Then, paste the link to your podcast and click “Add to Profile” for quick access.