51. Podcasting on a Budget

10/22/24 • 12 min

In this episode I’m sharing tips on how to start and maintain your podcast without breaking the bank. Just because you’re podcasting on a budget doesn’t mean your show has to sound like it. Whether you’re testing the waters or just want to keep costs down, I’ve got you covered with strategies that will make your podcast sound amazing—even on a shoestring budget.

In This Episode:

Essential Equipment on a Budget: Learn what gear you actually need to start your podcast and what you can skip. From affordable microphones to using your closet as a soundproof recording space, I'll guide you on making smart choices without overspending.
Free Tools You Should Be Using: I’m an Audacity girly, and I’ll tell you why this free, open-source software is perfect for editing. Plus, how to find royalty-free music that won’t cost a dime.
Maximizing Your Content with Minimal Post-Production: Keeping your episodes tight can save you (or your editor) time and money. Learn how to plan and execute efficiently.
Promotion on a Budget: How to use free platforms like social media to grow your podcast audience and the benefits of investing in a website when you're ready.
Strategic Upgrades: When it’s time to spend, I’ll share what to prioritize to get the most bang for your buck—like upgrading your microphone or headphones.

Key Takeaways:

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a high-quality podcast. A good mic, a quiet space, and free software can go a long way.
Make sure you prioritize your content and structure your show to minimize post-production work, saving both time and money.
Free resources like royalty-free music and social media can help you produce and promote your show effectively without added expenses.

Special Offer:

Want to learn how to edit like a pro without hiring one? Grab my Editing with Audacity Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to use Audacity to make your podcast sound amazing. Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off! Head to sonivia.com to get started.

Connect with Rue:

Instagram: @SoniviaStudios
Email: [email protected] for any podcasting questions or to book a free session.

Stay Tuned:

Don’t forget to subscribe to Up an Octave and leave a review if you found today’s episode helpful!

Music Credit: Up An Octave Theme by Rue Spence with additional vocals provided by Darnell Spence
Up An Octave is hosted by Rue Spence of Sonivia. Up An Octave is a podcast for women and nonbinary people who are ready to take up space in podcasting to share their voices with the world.

In This Episode:

Essential Equipment on a Budget: Learn what gear you actually need to start your podcast and what you can skip. From affordable microphones to using your closet as a soundproof recording space, I'll guide you on making smart choices without overspending.
Free Tools You Should Be Using: I’m an Audacity girly, and I’ll tell you why this free, open-source software is perfect for editing. Plus, how to find royalty-free music that won’t cost a dime.
Maximizing Your Content with Minimal Post-Production: Keeping your episodes tight can save you (or your editor) time and money. Learn how to plan and execute efficiently.
Promotion on a Budget: How to use free platforms like social media to grow your podcast audience and the benefits of investing in a website when you're ready.
Strategic Upgrades: When it’s time to spend, I’ll share what to prioritize to get the most bang for your buck—like upgrading your microphone or headphones.

Key Takeaways:

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a high-quality podcast. A good mic, a quiet space, and free software can go a long way.
Make sure you prioritize your content and structure your show to minimize post-production work, saving both time and money.
Free resources like royalty-free music and social media can help you produce and promote your show effectively without added expenses.

Special Offer:

Connect with Rue:

Instagram: @SoniviaStudios
Email: [email protected] for any podcasting questions or to book a free session.

Stay Tuned:

Don’t forget to subscribe to Up an Octave and leave a review if you found today’s episode helpful!

Previous Episode

50. Grow Your Podcast Audience With Guests

In this episode, I'm giving up the goods for one of my absolute favorite strategies for podcast growth: guest appearances. Whether you're just starting out or you're an established podcaster, guests are a powerful way to cross-pollinate and expand your reach. I’m spilling all the tea on how to find the right guests, how to pitch them, and why it’s crucial to maintain a meaningful connection long after the episode drops.

In This Episode:

Why Guest Appearances Matter: Learn how guest spots can help you grow your audience and create networking opportunities, no matter the size of your show.
Cross-Pollinating Your Niche: How to find guests who complement your niche and can expose you to new listeners without feeling like competition.
The Importance of Authenticity: Don’t just invite people for their follower count—make sure you’re genuinely excited about the conversation.
How to Pitch and Prepare for Guests: Practical tips on building relationships, vetting potential guests, and setting boundaries to ensure your show maintains its integrity.
Creating Shareable Assets: Why sharing your episode with your guest (and vice versa!) is crucial for growing both audiences.
Tracking Analytics: How to use episode analytics to measure the success of guest spots and decide whether to bring guests back.

Key Takeaways:

Guest appearances are one of the easiest ways to grow your show, but the key is being intentional about who you invite and why.
Establishing genuine relationships with your guests creates long-lasting collaboration opportunities.
Sharing episode assets and encouraging guests to promote their appearance can lead to higher visibility and more downloads.

Connect with Rue:

Instagram: @SoniviaStudios
Email: [email protected] for any podcasting questions or to set up a consultation.

Free Consultation:

Curious about how guest appearances can fit into your podcasting strategy? Book a free session with me to chat about it.
Did this episode light you up? Subscribe and leave a review to help other podcasters find it!

Next Episode

52. Storytelling Techniques for Podcasters

Today we're talking about using storytelling techniques to take your podcast to the next level, whether you’re a business owner looking to connect with clients, a fandom podcaster trying to find your people, or just sharing your passion with the world. Storytelling isn’t just for narrative podcasts; it’s a powerful tool for anyone who wants to connect with their audience on a deeper level.
In This Episode:
- Why Storytelling is a Game-Changer: Learn how using stories humanizes your content and helps your audience connect emotionally with your message, regardless of your niche.
- Creating a Compelling Hook: I’ll break down how to use a hook to grab attention, create a narrative arc, and keep listeners engaged throughout the episode.
- How to Apply Storytelling Techniques: Tips for turning dry statistics or data into human stories that people care about, making your podcast more engaging and memorable.
- Building Tension and Resolution: The importance of creating tension and then guiding your listeners to a resolution, which keeps them coming back for more.
- Real-life Case Studies and Examples: How storytelling can highlight transformations, client success stories, or real-world scenarios that resonate with your audience.
- Descriptive Language and Analogies: Learn to clarify complex topics through descriptive language and analogies to make your content more relatable and digestible.
Key Takeaways:
- Storytelling creates emotional connections, making your content more engaging and relatable.
- Using storytelling techniques in your podcast helps make your information easier to remember and implement for your audience.
- Crafting narrative arcs within your episodes helps guide listeners through the content, keeping them hooked and eager to hear more.
Special Offer:
Want to make your podcast editing even smoother? Grab my Editing with Audacity Guide for all my tips and tricks to help you edit like a pro without the hassle. Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off! Head here to snag yours!
Connect with Rue:
Instagram: @SoniviaStudios
Email: [email protected] for any podcasting questions or to book a free session.

Podcasting Up An Octave - 51. Podcasting on a Budget

Transcript

You're listening to Up an Octave, a podcast by Sonivia, the podcasting agency that believes that women and non binary people deserve to take up space in the podcasting industry. Because our thoughts, voices, and stories matter. Here, you'll learn how to make dope podcasts that inspire, educate, convert, and most importantly, make your voice shine.
I'm your host, Rue Spence, and I'm here to take podcasting up an octave. Let's get into it.
Hello, hello, and welcome back to Up an Octave.