Starting up your own podcast on a budget - TODAY

If you are a coach/ influencer/ business owner and do not already have a podcast NOW is the time. Podcasts have exploded in popularity with more and more listeners every year. For you this means an even bigger audience and reach.

I started my first podcast over 10 years ago with nothing but a little dictation recorder and an idea. Now it’s even easier.

The first thing you need is a name and your theme. What will your show be about? Will you be the only host? How long would you like each episode to be? Once you have a good grasp of those things you’re ready.

You will need the following things:

Equipment you will be recording with
A hosting site for your show

Sounds really easy right? It is. Do not get intimidated by all the extras. They will come in time.

Time to record! You can do this really simply with a laptop with a built in mic. On the go I have used my macbook air to record quick episodes. If you are going to invest in one thing I do recommend getting a better microphone. The Blue Yeti is an excellent one to start with, plugs straight into your computer and will give you a much cleaner and richer sound.  If you are unfamiliar with recording programs I am going to send you to the expert Pat Flynn - go here and watch this: Recording Your Show. Thank you me later.

Record your first episode. Don’t worry about awkward pauses, ums, or mess-ups. The beauty of the podcast is you can edit those out later. I recommend recording an intro you can use for every episode first. This will get you used to talking to your audience about who you are and what your show is. You don’t need any fancy theme music but you can certainly grab some royalty free from places like: Audio Jungle

For recording and editing I use Garageband and Audacity. Both are easy to set up and get going. 

If you are a coach you probably have used ZOOM. Did you know that you can export the audio files from ZOOM? YES! You could record your entire show using ZOOM if you wanted to.

I use ZOOM and SKYPE when I am conducting interviews. 

OK you have recorded your first episode and you’ve edited it - YAY. Now you need to save that audio file as an MP3 and upload it to your host.

Your host is next. Even if you have a website you need a podcast host to house your audio files and distribute your feed. There are several hosts but the two I recommend are:

Libsyn

Podbean

Both offer very inexpensive packages. Depending on how many episodes you do each month will dictate what will be a better choice for you. I personally use Podbean for The Spark Effect.

Both hosts will walk you through setting up and even how to apply for the iTunes directory. iTunes is your most important directory but you can also get listed in Stitcher, Google Play, and Spotify

Once you have connected them they will automatically get each new episode. Hurray!

Upload your very first episode. Give it some cover art - Canva is the perfect place to create this - and launch it into the world.

Congrats! You are now a podcaster.

Many of you are REALLY busy. I highly recommend outsourcing things like editing if you are not super technical, when you can. I offer services in podcast editing. For all of you coaches who have gone live on FB and have lots of content already recorded - I can take your livestreams and convert them into podcast episodes for your show. SO GOOD right!? Get in touch with me and we can discuss what you need. [email protected]

A few final tips:
• Promote your show in IG and FB stories
•Ask your listeners to rate and review your show in iTunes
•Be consistent. Set up a schedule and stick to it
•Be decisive. This YOUR podcast. You make the rules.