How to make a Podcast...for free

Here's a fast, easy,and cheap way to make and distribute your podcast:

Create

1. Find a computer with a built-in microphone or buy a cheapy mic that plugs directly into your computer.

2. Downloadⁱ, install, and run Audacity (a free, open-source program)

a. Download Audacity for Windows/PC or Mac

b. Download the LAME MP3 encoder for Windows/PC or Mac and put it in the same directory as Audacity. You will need to locate it the first time you export to MP3.

3. Press the "Record" button and begin speaking into the mic.

4. Stop talking and select File->Export as MP3

Listen to a sample recording made with Audacity

Distribute

1. Go to the Internet Archive and sign-up for a free account.

2. Download, install, and run SpinXpress (a free, Creative Commonsⁱ-friendly tool).

3. Select "Publish" and choose the MP3 you exported from Audacity.

4. Login with your Internet Archive account and enter the appropriate info.

5. Once the file has been uploaded, select "My Profile" and open the URL for your file under "Published Files."

6. Log in to Ourmedia with your Internet Archive username and password.

7. In your profile, you will find an RSSⁱ feed for content you upload to the profile, which can be used to distribute your podcasts.

Please see our Advanced Guide to Podcasting for more in-depth info on recording and editing audio. It is also the place to find out more about uploading and hosting audio.

If you are interested in more information on distribution/RSS, see How to set-up and Use RSS