5 free tools to keep your podcast business running smoothly
Nothing in life is free, except for everything in this post
Our favorite phrase in the English language? Free cookies. We’re fresh out of cookies, so we’re sharing free resources that will help you and others on your team work smarter, not harder. Being the dedicated podcaster you are we know you’re busy booking guests, writing intros, voicing ads, promoting your episodes, attending events, nurturing your audience, posting to your socials…there’s a lot to be done! There’s a lot to juggle and podcasting as a business is not going to get any easier as the landscape continues to change. You can take control of your day-to-day to get organized, stay on track, and meet your goals — all without breaking the bank. Here are 5 free tools that will keep your podcast business running smoothly.
1.Heard here first
Getting your show in front of new ears (AKA people new to podcasts who are looking for content like yours) is a top priority. That’s why Google has set out to help podcasts appear in their searches right along with text, images, and video — to capture a completely new audience outside of the usual podcatcher platforms. In the meantime, all the touchpoints associated with your audio content should be optimized for “searchability” including your website, show notes, or blog. Using the always free Google Keyword Planner in conjunction with Google Trends will populate the search possibilities that best define your niche and identify the best keywords to use.
2. Automation nation
If managing your social media has become all-consuming, then a platform that schedules and posts your content automatically is just what you need. If time is money, then automation is your retirement fund. Buffer lets you schedule up to 10 posts per account with their Chrome extension, so you can post more consistently and easily share content your audience will love. The free tier connects up to 3 social accounts: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn…and yes, you can even schedule for the ‘Gram. Planning ahead and automatically filling your feed with great content means you’ll have more time to connect with your followers in real-time.
3. Bringing email back
We couldn’t have a list of free tools without mentioning one of the top free marketing platforms out there — MailChimp. Old school but effective, email marketing engages your audience beyond your podcast and acts as another distribution point for your content. If you have a niche audience, or are just getting started with email marketing, the forever free account will get you on the right foot with 12K emails per month to 2K contacts plus a ton of features. Analytics provide the basic data needed to track your progress and inform your strategy, while beefed-up marketing automation and segmentation tools for sending the right message at the right time, and custom landing pages help grow your list. Though it’s all free, the platform remains easy to use so you can spend more time running your business.
4. The creative process
No matter what kind of podcast you host, some research is required to create authentic content that your fans will not only love but engage with and share. Are you researching something for your next episode right now? Do you have a zillion tabs open? Google Drive’s Research Tool is a built-in solution if you use Google Docs to compile your thoughts. Conduct searches without having to navigate away from your window — saving time and making it easier to cite your sources. All you have to do is click “Tools” from the menu bar, choose “Research” from the dropdown menu, and bring all that information to life.
5. Alright stop. Collaborate and listen.
It takes a village to create a great podcast, so keep that village on the same page. Divide and conquer with a messaging platform like Slack. Organize conversations around different teams or responsibilities and seamlessly share files while reducing your reliance on emails. Plus, the free version is perfectly suited for small businesses i.e. it has few limited features for unlimited users.
