During the past several months in quarantine, it felt like almost everyone considered starting a podcast. According to Voxnet, since March, the number of podcast listens have increased by nearly 50% across the globe.

Yet, some are hesitant to start their own podcast because they think it’s expensive. However, creating your own podcast doesn't have to break the bank. Careful planning and strategizing are more likely to create a successful podcast rather than purchasing the newest equipment.

It’s important to know all the nitty gritty and learn the basics in order to get started. Here are 5 simple tips to create your very own podcast on a budget.

1.) Have a clear goal 

Determine what your goals are and know the purpose of your podcast. It sounds simple, but writing out all of your ideas beforehand will give you a clear picture of what your podcast will be. 

• Who will be listening to this podcast? 
• What does your audience want to hear about? 
• What does your audience need to hear about?  

You also have to consider what you want to gain from this podcast. Are you doing this for money or to expand your business? Will it just be a hobby that you want to pursue? 

Another factor to consider is if you’ll be running this alone or with other people. If you have co-producers, then you’ll be able to split up the roles and responsibilities as well as the production costs.

When you create a plan that answers these questions, you’ll have a better understanding of what to budget and prioritize. The topics or niche you choose will also determine the right setup and equipment you’ll use for your podcast studio. 

2.) Find the right equipment 

After discovering the purpose of your podcast, investing in the proper equipment is next. Make a checklist of the equipment you already have at home and list anything you may need to purchase.

For starters, a good microphone and either a stand or a boom arm will be a good investment. Choosing the right microphone is the best way to avoid future audio troubles and headaches. Adding a pop filter is also a must! 

Your listeners will not tolerate bad audio! If people have trouble hearing what you're saying, they won't continue to tune in.

If you don’t want to go through the hassles of looking for individual equipment, we put together a podcast bundle for you here.

3.) Look for a free DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) software to use 

For editing purposes like adding music and effects to your podcast, using a software is required. Luckily, there is free software available such as Audacity, Power Sound Editor, Music Maker, WavePad and GarageBand. No need to spend money on DAW yet because the free software provides the tools to cut, record and equalize sounds. 

4.) Be your own Show Note writer 

Instead of hiring a podcast copy-writing company or agency, why not be your own show note writer? You can ask inputs from your audience and utilize your resources. If you have friends who are in on this podcast, their ideas would also be useful. The people around you may be more helpful than you realize!

5.) Find the perfect location for your podcast studio

If you’re using your room as a podcast studio, the cheapest way to get a killer acoustic environment is to use foam covers, curtains, pillows and blankets.

The sound from your mic shouldn’t produce any echo. It's important that you minimize and stop any vocal sound waves bouncing back from your wall to your microphone. Cover each corner of your walls or empty spaces where sound can bounce off of.  This is a foolproof trick from some start up podcasters. 

In a nutshell, creating your first podcast is just a matter of careful planning. Start with low budget equipment and upgrade if you feel necessary. Going this route is better than investing impulsively on gears without doing careful research. 

Also, a state-of-the-art equipment is nothing if you aren’t passionate on the topics or content you’ll be sharing with your audience. Rich informative content is still the number one ingredient in running a successful podcast.