Podcasting tools I love (and work with daily)
When I started #impact Podcast in 2016, I wanted a gorgeous production but I did not want it to break the bank. It amazes me how many free tools are out there that allow me to produce, curate and manage my show.
I put together this list of free Podcasting tools that I love working with, from curation to creating, from producing to marketing. Plus: I’ll add a bunch of examples how I work with these tools for my Podcast productions, in the hope to give you some shortcuts as well as inspiration.
This blog-series is brought to you by Start your Podcast. Make an Impact – my Podcasting online course & mentorship programme that shows you how to get your Podcast off the ground and make an impact with your show from day 1. You can take a peek inside the programme here.
CURATING, MANAGING, ORGANISING
Trello
For organising and planning content.
What I love about it:
Think of it as a huge post-it wall. It’s easy to use, visually pleasant and syncs with all devices. I use it to collect ideas and manage projects for my Podcast.
Now that I also have co-hosts that are based across the globe, we can easily collaborate online using Trello. I like that I can set reminders and deadlines to keep on track with our to-do’s.
When it comes to marketing, I started using public Trello-boards (Example from #impact Season 5 | Example from my new show OFF THE RECORD) to give partners and guests quick access to visuals and copy for our Podcast.
This helps them to share our content.
CREATING
Canva
For designing graphics, art work and podcast logos.
What I love about it:
I have to admit, I spend way too much time on Canva. I can’t help it. I just love getting creative and working on marketing material for the episodes. There are millions of templates, fonts, formats and I particularly love the integration of the stock photo libraries.
You can check our Instagram Social Media Campaign that #impact co-host Carol Li created for International Women’s Day to get some ideas for your own Podcast promotion.
AUDIO PRODUCTION
Garageband | Audacity
For audio editing.
What I love about it:
Once I figured out how to use Garageband and Audacity, I find them very easy to navigate. I wish I had a good tutorial that also introduced one of the most important Garageband shortcut back in the days – as that took me ages to figure out.
For many new Podcasters editing is daunting. With that in mind, that’s why I included a step by step tutorial for both Garageband and Audacity for my students in my Podcasting Course to show them how to create templates for audio editing to streamline the process.
Auphonic
For polishing audio files.
What I love about it:
Want to hear something crazy? When I started my Podcast I did every single volume adjustment manually. I spent hours and hours on editing. I do have to apologise for that way too loud audio jingle in my early episodes of #impact back in 2017. What the heck was I doing there really?!?! 🙂
Since I use Auphonic, I can adjust audio levels of my episodes with one click. For most Podcasters the monthly 2h free upload option will be sufficient. I’m really happy with the sound quality.
MARKETING
Wavve.link
For having a (mobile) web-presence, even if you don’ t want to build your own website.
What I love about it:
It was so easy to set up and I can now make it easier for listeners to subscribe to my shows on their favourite Podcast App.
When you are first starting out, an “online home” for your Podcast, a link that lists e.g. places where people can subscribe to your show will be beneficial.
Because that’s the tricky thing with Podcast promotion: Different people will prefer different players – some enjoy using e.g. Spotify, while others might want to listen through the Apple Podcasts App (and that’s just 2 of the million places from where you can stream Podcasts nowadays…)
Here are two examples how I use Wavve. I would then simply take the weblink and add it on my social media to share a new episode.
Example #impact Podcast | Example OFF THE RECORD
Btw, I created both of these sites with my sleeping baby in my arm, so it was really that simple.
Headliner
To create audio/video clips to promote your content.
What I love about it:
The site allows you to grab the Podcast episode from your RSS feed* which will save you time as you cut and edit your promotional audio clips. They offer 10 free videos a month which is plenty. You can manually add your own transcriptions too.
Here is a step-by-step tutorial on how to create an Audiogram that makes an impact
* RSS is a web feed that allows users and applications to access updates to websites in a standardized, computer-readable format. (To me, that sounds complicated. I like to think of the RSS Feed as my Podcast’s automatic newsletter, that is sending out my new episode to all my subscribers, no matter from which Podcast App or platform they are listening.
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT
Mailchimp
To stay in touch with your community.
What I love about it:
Mailchimp is easy to set up and use. The free version gives you up to free 2000 subscribers, which is plenty.
Even if you are just starting out, I can’t recommend starting an email list enough. Of course, at first, you will probably only have your friends and family sign up…. Thank you, Mommy! 🙂
Here you can find a #impact Newsletter example. As you will see, I tend to write very personal. In my Newsletter I share things I usually don’t share on other channels or Social Media. I think of my subscribers as my inner circle and that’s why they always get informed first, get more behind the scenes as well as event invitations and special offers.
Listen Notes
For curating playlists for my community (and myself).
What I love about it:
I particularly love that I can create audio clips from Podcasts that inspire me, but what makes it even more useful is that I can curate private as well as public Podcast playlists, adding value to my community as I help them discover specific episodes and new Podcasts.
I’ve received great feedback from my listeners about this playlist that I regularly update.
Here you go. 9 tools to try out. This list is by far exhaustive and I will keep updating as I find new tools I love. Want to connect? Any burning Podcasting question? Reach out to me at regina@hashtagimpact.com
How to prepare and set up for your first Podcast recording? Find my answer in the Start a Podcast with impact – Guide.
About the Author:
Regina Larko launched her first Hong Kong based audio show #impact – A Podcast about stuff that matters, highlighting the work of social enterprises and Non-Profits in 2017. Besides #impact, she also hosts OFF THE RECORD – Podcasting with #impact and A Zero Waste Journey Podcast.
Regina mentors new Podcasters to give them the confidence, tools and resources they need to find Podcasting success with her Online Mentorship programme Start your Podcast. Make an impact.
