Free Guide to Starting Your First Podcast

Understanding Podcast Basics and What You Need to Know

A podcast is an audio show that people can listen to whenever they want. Unlike radio, listeners don't tune in at a specific time—they download or stream episodes on their schedule. The word "podcast" comes from "iPod" and "broadcast," though you don't need an iPod to make or listen to one today.

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According to 2024 data from the Pew Research Center, about 41% of Americans have listened to a podcast, and roughly 16% listen to podcasts weekly. This growing audience means there's room for new creators with interesting ideas. Podcasts come in many formats: solo hosts sharing opinions, co-hosted conversations, interview series, storytelling shows, educational programs, and narrative fiction. Some podcasts release one episode weekly, while others publish multiple times per week or monthly.

The technical side is simpler than you might think. You need a microphone to record audio, software to edit what you've recorded, and a place to host your files so listeners can find them. Many successful podcasters started with just a basic USB microphone and free editing software. As your show grows, you can upgrade equipment, but expensive gear isn't necessary to start.

Before beginning, think about your podcast's purpose. Are you sharing knowledge about a specific topic? Entertaining people with stories? Having conversations with interesting guests? Starting a show for your local community? Your purpose shapes everything else—how often you'll record, what equipment makes sense, and where you'll promote your show.

Practical Takeaway: Write down three podcast ideas that genuinely interest you. For each one, identify who might want to listen and what you'd talk about in your first five episodes. This clarity will make everything that follows easier.

Choosing Your Equipment and Recording Setup

You don't need expensive equipment to record a quality podcast. Many podcasters launched successful shows with equipment costing under $100. The key is choosing tools that work reliably and produce clean audio.

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For microphones, beginners often start with USB microphones that plug directly into a computer. The Audio-Technica AT2020USB-X costs around $99 and is used by many podcasters. The Blue Yeti, priced near $80-100, is another popular choice. Both connect to your computer without needing additional equipment. These microphones sound professional enough for starting out and are miles better than built-in computer microphones.

If you're interviewing guests over the internet, you'll want recording software that captures both sides of the conversation. Riverside.fm and SquadCast are popular options that record high-quality audio from remote participants. Many offer free tiers for basic use. Alternatively, you can use free software like Audacity to record a single voice, then have remote guests send audio separately.

Your recording location matters as much as your equipment. Choose a quiet room with soft furnishings—carpets, curtains, and couches absorb sound and reduce echoes. A bedroom typically works better than a kitchen or bathroom. Close windows and doors to block outside noise. Some podcasters build small recording booths using blankets and PVC pipes, which costs very little.

Beyond the microphone, consider a pop filter (around $10-20), which reduces harsh "p" and "b" sounds. A headphone cable and basic headphones let you monitor your recording as you speak. If you're doing interviews, a simple desk stand keeps your microphone steady so you're not holding it.

Practical Takeaway: Visit a local electronics store or watch product demonstrations online for the AT2020USB-X, Blue Yeti, or comparable microphones. Record 2-3 minutes of yourself speaking in your intended recording space, using headphones to check how it sounds. This test tells you whether your setup works before you invest more.

Recording and Editing Your First Episodes

Recording a podcast episode involves speaking into your microphone, capturing your words, and saving the audio file. Many new podcasters worry about perfection, but listeners actually prefer natural, conversational episodes over overly polished productions. Your goal in recording is clear audio—people need to hear you, not background noise or technical problems.

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Start by writing an outline instead of a full script. An outline includes your main topics and key points but lets you speak naturally. Most successful podcasters find that 30-45 minutes of outline takes about 45-90 minutes to record, since you'll pause between thoughts, restart sentences, and take breaks. That's normal. You'll edit out the pauses and mistakes later.

Free editing software works well for beginners. Audacity (completely free, available for Windows and Mac) lets you cut out mistakes, adjust volume levels, and add intro music. GarageBand comes free with Mac computers. CapCut recently released a free desktop version. YouTube has hundreds of tutorials for each of these programs, so learning them takes a few hours of practice rather than formal training.

Basic editing steps include: recording your episode, listening back to identify parts to cut out, removing background noise using your software's noise reduction tool, adjusting overall volume so listeners don't have to turn up their speakers, and adding intro and outro music. Free music for podcasts is available from sites like Epidemic Sound's free tier, YouTube Audio Library, or Pixabay Music. Always check the license to make sure you can use the music in a podcast.

Many podcasters record 2-4 episodes before releasing their first one. This creates a small buffer so you're not scrambling to record the day you want to publish. Publishing on a regular schedule—like every Monday—helps listeners know when new episodes arrive.

Practical Takeaway: Download Audacity or a free editing software of your choice. Import a 5-minute recording of yourself (use something you recorded before, or record something new), then practice cutting out one section, adjusting volume, and adding background music. Save your work. This hands-on practice teaches you the software faster than watching tutorials alone.

Finding a Hosting Platform and Publishing Your Podcast

A podcast host is a service that stores your audio files and creates the feed that podcast apps like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts read to find your episodes. You can't submit directly to these apps—you need a host first. Think of the host as your podcast's home on the internet.

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Popular podcast hosting platforms include Buzzsprout, Podbean, Anchor (owned by Spotify), and Transistor. Many offer free plans that let you publish a certain number of episodes per month. Buzzsprout's free tier allows up to 3 hours of content per month. Anchor allows unlimited uploads. Most free plans include basic analytics showing how many people listened and where they're from.

The process is straightforward: you create an account, upload your audio file, add a title and description for the episode, and submit your podcast feed to directories. Once you submit to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts (the three largest directories), your show appears in those apps. This usually takes a few days to a week. Directories don't charge you—they're free.

When setting up your podcast, you'll need artwork (a 3000x3000 pixel image), a podcast title, a description of what your show is about, and information about you as the creator. The artwork is what shows up as a thumbnail when people browse for podcasts. You can create images using free tools like Canva.

Many podcasters eventually upgrade to paid hosting ($12-20 per month) to get unlimited storage, better analytics, and more customization options. But starting free gives you a chance to test your idea and grow an audience before spending money.

Practical Takeaway: Visit the websites of at least two free podcast hosting platforms (such as Buzzsprout and Anchor). Compare their free features—how many episodes per month do they allow? What analytics do they show? Create an account with one of them and explore the interface. You'll be ready to upload your first episode.

Promoting Your Podcast and Growing an Audience

Publishing an episode isn't enough—people need to know your podcast exists. Most new podcasts grow slowly, and that's okay. Successful podcasters typically spend months building an audience through consistent publishing and patient promotion.

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Start by telling people you know. Share your podcast with friends, family, and colleagues. Ask them to listen and leave a review on Apple Podcasts