How To Start A Podcast With No Audience and No Money[15 Steps]

Starting a podcast might seem daunting for begginers, especially if you’re on a tight budget, but I’m here to guide you through the entire process.

By the end of this article, you’ll have all the knowledge and tools needed to launch a successful podcast with No Audience and No Money.

Let’s dive in!

Introduction

So, you want to start a podcast but aren’t sure how to begin? Maybe you’re concerned about investing time and effort into something that might not succeed.

Don’t worry—I’m going to help set you up for success.

This guide is a comprehensive resource for beginners.

If you’re looking to reach a new audience, establish yourself as a thought leader, or create a potential revenue stream, this step-by-step guide is for you.

Article Covers:

Here’s what we’ll cover:

1. Basics of Getting Set Up: From choosing a podcast concept to branding your podcast.
2. Content Creation: How to write scripts, what kind of content to publish, and what budget-friendly gear to use.
3. Growth and Scaling: Tips on getting guest speakers, securing sponsors, and using analytics to grow your podcast.
4. Content Repurposing: How to work smarter, not harder, by repurposing your content.

Let’s get started!

Step 1: Choosing Your Content Concept

Why Choosing the Right Concept Matters

Your first step is to decide on a podcast concept. This is crucial because it will define what your show is about and help you attract listeners who are interested in your topic.

When someone thinks of a specific subject, you want them to think of your podcast.

If your podcast topic is all over the place, like discussing healthy living one day and solving math problems the next, it’s unlikely your audience will stick around.

Consistency is key.

How to Choose a Concept:

1. Pick a Passionate Topic: Passion will keep you motivated and resonate with your audience.
2. Broad, Yet Focused: Choose a topic broad enough to cover multiple episodes but focused enough to establish a niche.

For example, if you’re passionate about rock climbing, that could be your podcast topic.

Pro Tip:

I recommend writing your ideas down on paper. By the end of this article, you’ll have a comprehensive plan to start your podcast.

Step 2: Writing Your Guiding Statement

What Is a Guiding Statement?

The next step is to write a guiding statement. This statement acts as the foundation for everything you’ll do moving forward. It’s a simple but powerful sentence that clearly defines your podcast.

How to Write a Guiding Statement

Here’s a template you can use: “My [NOUN] podcast [VERB] [AUDIENCE] by [MISSION STATEMENT].”

• Noun: The category your podcast falls under (e.g., outdoor rock climbing).
• Verb: The format (e.g., inspires, educates, entertains).
• Audience: Who are you targeting?
• Mission Statement: What are you promising to deliver in each episode?

For example, my guiding statement could be: “My outdoor rock climbing podcast inspires U.S.-based novices to grow as rock climbers by documenting and narrating my personal journey.”

Why It’s Important:

This statement should be:

• Clear and Unique: Your audience should instantly understand what you offer.
• Focused on Your Audience: Tailor it to who will benefit the most from your content.
• Supportive of Good Storytelling: Your concept should allow for compelling, relatable storytelling.

Example Guiding Statements

• “My bedtime podcast calms overthinkers all over the world by narrating mundane and relaxing stories.”
• “My cooking podcast educates female food lovers over 50 living with arthritis by sharing exciting, accessible tools and recipes.”

Ensuring Your Guiding Statement Hits the Mark

To make sure your guiding statement is effective, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is your angle unique?
• Is your value proposition clear?
• Do you understand your target audience deeply?
• Does your concept allow for endless content creation?
• Does your podcast support good storytelling?

Once you’ve established your guiding concept, you can confidently choose your podcast category.

Step 3: Choosing Your Podcast Category

With your guiding statement ready, choose your podcast category. This helps platforms like Spotify and Apple Podcasts recommend your show to the right audience.

You can also pick subcategories to increase your chances of being discovered in niche areas.

Tip: Opt for subcategories with low competition for better visibility.

Step 4: Choosing a Name

Why the Right Name Matters

Your podcast name should be catchy, memorable, and descriptive. It needs to convey what your podcast is about within seconds.

How to Brainstorm

If you’re stuck, try using a tool like Copy AI, an AI-powered copywriter. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Create a free account.
2. Start a new project.
3. Provide a detailed prompt (e.g., “I’m starting a podcast for novice rock climbers who need inspiration to keep going”).

Name Ideas from Copy AI

Some potential podcast names could be:

• Climb On: A podcast for novice rock climbers.
• Rock On: Inspiration for novice rock climbers.
• Rock Solid: A podcast for novice climbers looking to build confidence.

Pro Tip:

Include keywords in your name that listeners might search for, improving your podcast’s discoverability.

Step 5: Crafting Your Podcast Description

Why the Description is Crucial

Your podcast description is more than just a few sentences—it’s a key piece of marketing.

It appears on podcast directories like Spotify and Apple Podcasts and in search results. Make it count.

How to Write It:

1. Be Direct: Clearly state the value your podcast offers.
2. Include Keywords: Use words that potential listeners might search for.
3. Show Your Personality: Let your unique voice shine through.
4. Research Competitors: Look at how similar podcasts describe themselves and think about what sets you apart.

If you get stuck, remember that tools like Copy AI can help generate compelling descriptions.

---

Step 6: Designing Your Podcast Cover Art

Your podcast cover art can be the deciding factor for potential listeners. The design should appeal to your target audience and be simple yet eye-catching.

Here are some tips:

• Keep it simple: Avoid cluttered designs that might not be readable on small devices.
• Use a large font: Ensure your text is readable on mobile screens.
• Communicate your podcast’s value: If your podcast is about helping people sleep, consider a serene image like someone sleeping under the moon.

The format should be square, with a minimum size of 1400×1400 pixels, up to 3000×3000 pixels, which is suitable for Apple, Google, and Spotify podcasts.

If you don’t have graphic design skills, tools like Canva or DALL·E can help you create professional-looking artwork.

Step 7: Setting Up Your Podcast Studio

You don’t need a professional studio to start a podcast, but the right equipment is essential.

Let’s go over the types of microphones available:

USB Microphones

• Pros: USB mics are easy to set up, affordable, and often come with a built-in headphone jack for monitoring.
• Cons: They may not offer the same audio quality and versatility as other microphones.

If you’re starting with a USB mic, the Blue Snowball iCE is a simple, cost-effective option, though it may not offer high-end audio quality.

Dynamic Microphones

• Pros: Durable and less sensitive to background noise, making them ideal for home recording.
• Cons: They may not capture as much detail, and you might need to adjust the gain, which can introduce noise.

The Shure SM58 is a popular choice for podcasters, musicians, and broadcasters for its reliability and performance.

Condenser Microphones

• Pros: Offer greater sensitivity and high-quality audio, often used in studio environments.
• Cons: They can pick up background noise and require additional equipment like phantom power or an audio interface.

Lavalier Microphone

The last microphone option to consider is the lavalier mic, also known as a clip-on mic. These are the tiny mics that you often see clipped onto the clothing of news anchors, presenters, or interviewees.

Pros:

Portability: Lavalier mics are small, lightweight, and easy to carry around. This makes them ideal for recording on the go.

Hands-Free: Since they clip onto your clothing, you can use your hands freely without worrying about holding a mic.

Discreet: Their small size makes them less noticeable, which is great if you want to maintain a clean visual setup, especially if you’re recording video content.

Cons:

Sound Quality: While lavalier mics are convenient, they might not offer the same level of sound quality as dynamic or condenser mics.

Wired Connection: Most lavalier mics are wired, which can limit your movement unless you invest in a wireless version.

Background Noise: Because they are positioned closer to your chest, they may pick up rustling noises from your clothing.

If you’re thinking about getting a lavalier mic, the Rode smartLav+ is a popular choice.

It offers decent sound quality for its size and price, making it a good entry-level option for podcasters who want something simple and portable.

Step 8: Select Recording Software

Once you’ve chosen your mic, the next step is selecting the right recording software. The software you choose will play a significant role in your podcast’s audio quality and overall production value.

Free Options:

1. Audacity: This is one of the most popular free audio editing programs available.

It’s open-source, so it works on almost every operating system. Audacity offers all the basic tools you need for recording and editing, such as cutting, trimming, and adding effects to your audio.

2. GarageBand: For Mac users, GarageBand is an excellent free option. It’s user-friendly and comes pre-installed on most Mac devices.

While it’s more commonly known for music production, it has all the tools necessary for podcasting as well.

Paid Options:

1. Adobe Audition: This is a professional-grade audio editing software from Adobe. It’s part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite, so if you’re already using other Adobe products, it might be a seamless addition to your workflow.

Adobe Audition offers advanced features like multi camera recording, noise reduction, and batch processing.

2. Hindenburg Journalist: Specifically designed for podcasters and radio journalists, Hindenburg Journalist offers a streamlined workflow for editing spoken word content.

It’s user-friendly and packed with features like automatic levels, noise reduction, and publishing tools.

Enhance your speech with Adobe Podcast AI Speech Enhancer

Step 9: Recording Your First Episode

With your space set up and your equipment ready, it’s time to record your first episode. This can be both exciting and nerve-wracking, but remember, you don’t have to get it perfect on the first try.

1. Prepare Your Script or Outline:

Before you hit record, make sure you have your script or outline ready. Having a clear structure will help you stay on track and ensure that your episode flows smoothly.

However, don’t feel like you need to stick to your script word-for-word. Allow yourself some flexibility to ad-lib and speak naturally.

Your audience will appreciate the authenticity.

2. Conduct a Sound Check:

When you’re ready, do a quick sound check. Record a short test clip to make sure everything sounds good.

Listen back to it with headphones to check for any issues like background noise or mic placement problems.

3. Record with Confidence:

Once you’re satisfied, it’s time to record your episode.

Try to relax and speak clearly and confidently. If you make a mistake, don’t worry—just pause, take a breath, and start again.

You can always edit out any errors later.

Step 10: Editing Your Podcast

This is the step to turning your raw recordings into a polished final product.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to editing your podcast:

1. Import Your Audio: Start by importing your recorded audio into your chosen software.

2. Cut Out Mistakes: Listen through the entire recording and cut out any mistakes, long pauses, or sections where you fumble with words. Keep your content tight and engaging.

3. Add Intro and Outro: If you’ve created an intro and outro for your podcast, add them to the beginning and end of your episode.

4. Include Music and Sound Effects: Adding background music or sound effects can enhance the listening experience. Just make sure that the music doesn’t overpower your voice.

5. Adjust Levels: Ensure that all audio levels are balanced. This means making sure that your voice is clear and consistent throughout the episode.

6. Apply Noise Reduction: Use noise reduction tools to eliminate background noise or hums. This is especially important if you’re recording in a non-studio environment.

7. Export Your File: Once you’re happy with the final edit, export your file in a podcast-friendly format like MP3.

Step 11: Hosting Your Podcast

After your podcast is edited and ready to go, the next step is finding a hosting platform.

A podcast host is a service that stores your podcast files and distributes them to various directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Popular Podcast Hosting Platforms:

Anchor:

Anchor is a free, beginner-friendly podcast hosting service owned by Spotify. It’s a great choice if you’re just starting out and want a simple, all-in-one solution.

Buzzsprout:

Buzzsprout is a paid hosting service that’s popular among podcasters for its ease of use and reliable support. It also offers detailed analytics, which can help you track your podcast’s growth.

Podbean:

Podbean offers both free and paid plans and is known for its robust monetization options. It’s a good choice if you’re looking to grow your podcast and eventually turn it into a source of income.

Step 12: Publishing and Promoting Your Podcast

Once your podcast is hosted, it’s time to publish and promote it. Here’s a quick guide to getting your podcast out into the world:

1. Submit to Directories:

Make sure to submit your podcast to all the major directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and TuneIn. This will make your podcast more accessible to a wider audience.

2. Create a Website:

Having a dedicated website for your podcast can help with discoverability. You can use platforms like WordPress or Squarespace to create a simple site where listeners can find your episodes, learn more about you, and contact you.

3. Use Social Media:

Promote each new episode on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Engage with your audience, ask for feedback, and encourage them to share your podcast with their friends.

4. Email Marketing:

Build an email list and send out newsletters whenever you release a new episode. This keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.

5. Collaborate with Other Podcasters:

Guest appearances on other podcasts can introduce you to a new audience. It’s a great way to grow your listener base and build your reputation in the podcasting community.

Step 13: Monetizing Your Podcast

As your podcast grows, you may want to start monetizing it. Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Sponsorships: Reach out to brands and companies that align with your podcast’s niche. Sponsorship deals can be a significant source of revenue once you have a sizable audience.
2. Crowdfunding: Platforms like Patreon allow your listeners to support you financially in exchange for exclusive content, early access, or other perks.
3. Merchandise: Selling branded merchandise like T-shirts, mugs, or stickers can be a fun way to engage with your audience and generate income.
4. Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services related to your podcast’s topic, and earn a commission on any sales made through your affiliate links.

Step 14: Analyzing Your Podcast’s Performance

To ensure your podcast continues to grow, it’s essential to track its performance. Most hosting platforms offer analytics, but here are a few key metrics to focus on:

Downloads and Streams:

Track the number of downloads and streams each episode receives. This will give you an idea of your podcast’s reach.

Listener Demographics:

Understanding who your listeners are can help you tailor your content to better meet their needs.

Retention Rates:

See how many listeners are sticking around for the entire episode. If people are dropping off midway, consider tightening your content or experimenting with different formats.

Feedback and Reviews:

Pay attention to listener feedback and reviews. Positive reviews can help attract new listeners, while constructive criticism can help you improve.

Step 15: Repurposing Your Content

Finally, don’t let your hard work go to waste—repurpose your podcast content to maximize its reach:

1. Transcribe Episodes: Convert your podcast episodes into blog posts or articles. This can help with SEO and attract readers who prefer written content.

2. Create Short Clips: Extract key moments from your episodes and share them as short video clips on social media.

3. Develop an Email Series: Turn your podcast content into a series of emails that educate your subscribers on a specific topic.

Conclusion

Starting a podcast might seem overwhelming, but with the right preparation and tools, you can launch a successful show even on a tight budget.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating content that resonates with your audience and grows over time.

Remember, consistency is key, and as you continue to learn and refine your process, your podcast will only get better.

Good luck, and happy podcasting!