How to Start a Podcast for Free: Lessons from My Journey

1. Why I Started My Podcast

The original purpose of my podcast was to grow my agency, attract pest control business owners, and showcase my expertise in SEO. Over time, it became much more than that. It’s now a platform to build relationships, learn from industry leaders, and expand my personal brand.

With over 750 subscribers on YouTube and a rapidly growing audience, the podcast has helped me:

• Land new clients for my agency.

• Create invaluable networking opportunities.

• Build a community of followers who trust my expertise.

2. What You Need to Start a Podcast for Free

Podcasting doesn’t require a huge budget to get started. Here’s what I used in the beginning:

Basic Equipment:

• Microphone: I bought an affordable mic on Amazon for under $50.

• No Webcam Needed: I used my MacBook webcam for my first few episodes.

• Recording Software: I used Riverside.fm, which offers free basic recording tools and good audio quality.

Hosting Platforms:

• Spotify for Creators: A must-have for syncing your RSS feed across platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.

• Anchor (now part of Spotify for Creators): Free and user-friendly for hosting and distributing your podcast.

Pro Tip: Don’t limit your podcast to YouTube. Use your RSS feed to publish across platforms for maximum reach.

3. Planning Your Podcast

A little planning goes a long way in making your podcast successful.

Define Your Goals:

• Are you looking to grow your business, build an audience, or simply share your thoughts? My initial goal was to connect with pest control business owners, and now my focus has broadened to marketers and entrepreneurs.

Decide on a Format:

• Will it be solo episodes, interviews, or a mix of both? I started with solo episodes but found interviews added variety and credibility.

Outline Your Topics:

• Start with what you know. For me, it was SEO and marketing. Now, I cover topics that help local businesses grow.

Pro Tip: Keep your episodes conversational and focused on providing value.

4. Recording and Editing on a Budget

I recorded my first episodes in a quiet room, using minimal gear:

• Riverside.fm for recording directly in my browser.

• Free Editing Tools: Audacity or GarageBand to clean up the audio.

• Simple Setup: Focus on sound clarity rather than perfection.

Pro Tip: Choose a quiet space to minimize background noise and keep editing simple.

5. Publishing and Syncing Your Podcast

Publishing your podcast across multiple platforms ensures you reach the widest audience. Here’s how I did it:

• Host on Spotify for Creators: It’s free and makes distributing your podcast to platforms like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher seamless.

• YouTube: Upload your episodes to YouTube, even if they’re audio-only. My podcast has over 3,000 watch hours and continues to grow thanks to this platform.

Pro Tip: Sync your RSS feed to distribute your podcast automatically across all major platforms. Don’t rely solely on YouTube.

6. Promoting and Growing Your Podcast

Once your podcast is live, promotion is key to building an audience.

How I Grew My Podcast:

• Social Media: Sharing episodes on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter helped attract followers who were interested in marketing and business.

• Guest Collaborations: Featuring industry leaders like Neil Patel not only added credibility but also brought their audiences to my platform.

• Email Marketing: Sending updates to my email list kept my audience engaged.

Engagement Tips:

• Encourage listeners to leave reviews and subscribe.

• Respond to comments and messages to build connections with your audience.

• Use video clips on social media to promote key moments from your episodes.

Pro Tip: Consistency is everything. Stick to a publishing schedule to keep your audience coming back.

7. Upgrading as You Grow

As my podcast grew, so did my setup. While I started with the basics, I’ve since invested in better recording equipment and a more professional studio setup:

• High-Quality Mic: Better audio quality improves the listening experience.

• Webcam and Lighting: Adding video content helped attract a broader audience on YouTube.

• Better Thumbnails: I tested different thumbnails and found a format that worked great.

Pro Tip: Start small and scale your equipment and tools as your podcast grows.

8. Why You Should Start Your Podcast Today

Podcasting has opened doors for me that I never imagined. It’s connected me with successful entrepreneurs, helped grow my brand, and created opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. And the best part? You can start for free, just like I did.

If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast, don’t let a lack of resources hold you back. Use the tools you have, focus on creating valuable content, and watch your audience grow.

Final Thoughts

Starting a podcast doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Whether you’re using a basic mic and free software or investing in better equipment over time, the most important thing is to start. My journey from The Pest Control SEO Podcast to The Local Marketeer has shown me that podcasting is about consistency, value, and connection.

Sync your podcast across all major platforms, engage with your audience, and focus on delivering content that matters. Who knows? Your podcast might just become the next big thing in your niche.