Podcasting

Podcasting for NonProfits – Everything You Need to Know

Podcasting for NonProfits Header 
Learn how nonprofits can use podcasting to raise awareness, engage donors, and build a community. Get all the tips and tricks in this comprehensive guide. This post does contain affiliate links. If you purchase any product/service through one of my affiliate links this website will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Earning More for the Cause – A Guide to Podcasting for NonProfits

Ready to uncover the immense potential of podcasting for nonprofits? This comprehensive guide is for you! In it you’ll learn how to utilize this powerful medium to raise awareness, engage donors, and foster a vibrant community. Discover the strategies and insights necessary to launch your own nonprofit podcast and make a meaningful impact. From planning and production to distribution and monetization, this ultimate resource covers everything you need to know to embark on your podcasting journey. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to harness the power of podcasting for nonprofits and amplify your organization’s reach.

Why Bother With Podcasting for Nonprofits?

Podcasting for nonprofits offers a multitude of compelling reasons to get involved. Firstly, it provides a unique and engaging platform to raise awareness about your cause, connecting with a diverse audience. Podcasts facilitate meaningful storytelling, allowing you to share impactful narratives and create a personal connection with listeners. Moreover, podcasting fosters donor engagement, attracting and retaining supporters through regular, insightful content. Additionally, it helps build a vibrant community around your nonprofit, fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration. Finally, podcasting enables you to amplify your message, reach new audiences, and establish your organization as a thought leader in the nonprofit sector.

How Would Podcasting for NonProfits Work?

To get started with podcasting for nonprofits, follow these steps:

Define your goals 

Determine the objectives you want to achieve through podcasting. Whether it’s raising awareness, educating the public, or mobilizing supporters, clarity on your goals will shape your podcast’s direction.

Identify your target audience

Understand who your podcast is aimed at. Define your target demographic and their interests, which will guide your content creation and help you tailor your messaging effectively.

Plan your podcast content

Develop a content strategy that aligns with your goals and target audience. Brainstorm topics, outline episodes, and consider incorporating interviews, storytelling, and expert insights to make your podcast engaging and informative.

Gather the necessary equipment

Invest in a decent microphone, headphones, and audio editing software. A good audio quality is crucial for a professional-sounding podcast.

Create compelling episodes

Write scripts or outlines for your episodes, focusing on delivering valuable content. Consider using storytelling techniques, interviews with experts or beneficiaries, and incorporating a call-to-action to engage your audience further.

Record and edit your episodes

Find a quiet space to record your episodes and use audio editing software to enhance the sound quality, remove any background noise, and add intros, outros, or music.

Choose a podcast hosting platform

Select a reliable podcast hosting platform that will store and distribute your episodes to various podcast directories such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Podcasts.

Publish and promote your podcast

Upload your episodes to your chosen hosting platform and submit them to podcast directories. Create a marketing strategy to promote your podcast, including sharing episodes on social media, engaging with your audience, collaborating with other podcasts, and leveraging your existing nonprofit networks.

Monitor and measure your podcast’s success

Track your podcast’s performance by analyzing download metrics, listener feedback, and engagement levels. Adjust your strategy accordingly to continuously improve and meet your goals.

Remember, consistency and quality are key to building an audience and establishing your nonprofit as an authority in the podcasting space.

How to Measure the Success of Your NonProfit Podcast

Introducing this section on measuring the success of your nonprofit podcast, it’s important to track and analyze key metrics to understand the impact of your podcasting efforts. Here are some direct and indirect ways to measure the success of your nonprofit podcast:

Direct Measurement

   – Number of downloads and listens: Track the number of downloads and listens to your podcast episodes to gauge its reach and popularity.

   – Subscriber growth: Monitor the growth of your podcast subscribers to assess the audience’s level of engagement and loyalty.

   – Listener feedback and reviews: Pay attention to listener feedback, reviews, and comments to understand their reception of your podcast and gather insights for improvement.

   – Conversion and donations: Measure the conversion rate of podcast listeners into donors or supporters of your nonprofit by tracking donations or other desired actions taken.

Indirect Measurement

   – Website traffic and referrals: Analyze your website traffic and referrals from podcast episodes to assess the impact of your podcast in driving people to engage with your nonprofit’s website and resources.

   – Social media engagement: Monitor the engagement levels on social media platforms, such as likes, shares, and comments related to your podcast episodes.

   – Brand recognition and visibility: Keep an eye on mentions, media coverage, or partnerships that arise as a result of your podcast, indicating increased brand recognition and visibility.

   – Community engagement: Measure the level of engagement and interaction within your podcast’s community, such as participation in discussions, comments on social media, or emails received.

By utilizing these direct and indirect measurement methods, you can gain valuable insights into the success and impact of your nonprofit podcast.

Where to Go From Here – Starting Your NonProfit Podcast

First, Look into the Equipment Needed for Podcasting

Here are the basics of what you will need:

1. Microphone: Invest in a quality microphone for clear audio recording. USB microphones like the Blue Yeti or XLR microphones like the Audio-Technica ATR2100x are popular choices.

2. Headphones: Use closed-back headphones to monitor audio while recording and editing, ensuring optimal sound quality.

3. Podcast Hosting: I highly recommend RSS.com as your podcast host because they have amazing plans geared towards podcasting for nonprofits!

Optional:

Pop Filter and a Mic Stand or Boom Arm: Attach a pop filter to the microphone to reduce plosive sounds (such as “p” and “b” sounds) and improve audio clarity. Securely position the microphone using a stand or boom arm to maintain consistency in sound quality and ease of use.

Ask Your Donors to Help you Start

Here are some ideas to get you going:

  • Create a crowdfunding campaign: Set up a dedicated crowdfunding campaign to raise funds specifically for starting a podcast. Offer attractive perks or rewards to encourage donor contributions.
  • Sponsorship opportunities: Reach out to potential sponsors or corporate partners who align with your nonprofit’s mission. Offer podcast sponsorship packages that provide exposure and value in exchange for financial support.
  • Grant applications: Research and apply for grants specifically available for media or communication initiatives. Many foundations and organizations offer grants to support nonprofit projects, including podcasting.
  • Donor appeals and fundraising events: Launch targeted donor appeals or host fundraising events centered around the goal of starting a podcast. Highlight the impact and benefits of podcasting in furthering your nonprofit’s mission to inspire donor support.
  • In-kind donations: Seek in-kind donations of podcasting equipment or services from individuals or businesses within your network. Many individuals or companies may be willing to contribute their expertise or resources to help you get started.

Remember to clearly communicate the importance and potential impact of podcasting for your nonprofit when reaching out to donors. Show how podcasting can amplify your message, reach a wider audience, and engage supporters in a meaningful way.

Ready to start podcasting for your nonprofit? Click here to begin for just $5 a month!

Read More Posts in my Podcasting Series

Expert Roundup – Important Tips for First Time Podcasters

Expert Round Up - Tips for First Time Podcasters Blog Header 
Thinking about starting a podcast? This post can help! In it I’m sharing a round up of tips for first time podcasters. This post does contain affiliate links. If you purchase a book through one of these affiliate links this website will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Starting a podcast can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. To help you navigate this journey, I’ve gathered essential tips that you should keep in mind when you’re ready to launch a podcast of your own. Here’s a quick overview of the tips you’re about to read:

  • Manage Your Web Presence Effectively
  • Focus on Alternative Revenue Streams
  • Plan it Out
  • Get a Good Microphone
  • Pick the Right Topic
  • Know Your Target Audience
  • Get Clear on Your Ideal Listener 

Manage Your Web Presence Effectively

If I were to time travel back to my first podcast recording, I’d definitely have a heart-to-heart with myself about managing my web presence effectively. You see, podcasting isn’t just about hitting the record button and chatting away. It involves curating your online image, ensuring your podcast website is slick and functional, and taking charge of your SEO. 

Think about your web presence as your podcast’s digital living room, make it welcoming.

Podcast link: TC 034: Dustin Miller – How to Manage Google Ads for Clients – Digital Triggers 

Joe Troyer, CEO and Growth Advisor, Digital Triggers

Ready to Start Your Podcast? Click here and get your first episode for free!

Focus on Alternative Revenue Streams

Do not chase the money. I originally started podcasting thinking it would be a revenue stream based on advertising and sponsors. It was frustrating to see so few downloads compared to others and the sponsors obviously never looked my way. 

However, I quickly learned that I was making revenue in other ways from the podcast. Listeners became clients and clients became referrals.

Here is the landing page for my podcast. This links out to iTunes, YouTube, etc. Marketing Impact PODCAST with Mike Wood 

I also just published an article on Medium that talks about monetizing podcasts if you find it useful.  Ultimate Guide to Making Money Through Podcasting | by Mike Wood | May, 2023 | Medium 

Mike Wood, Digital Marketer, Legalmorning

Plan It Out

  • Create a well-thought-out plan to streamline your podcasting process.
  • Include topics, episode count, and launch dates in your podcast plan.
  • Schedules may seem dull, but they ensure consistent publishing.
  • Clearly define the message you want to convey in each podcast episode.
  • Customize your podcast starter kit to suit your preferences and needs.
  • Find equipment that complements your voice and inflection.
  • Create a schedule that aligns with your lifestyle.
  • Consider marketing strategies to promote your podcast.
  • Following these tips will lead to a better podcasting experience.

Via Dearmedia

Get a Good Microphone

  1. Buying a cheap microphone led to heavy editing to fix poor audio quality, which was a mistake I made.
  2. If you have the budget or can wait, invest in a quality microphone to avoid such issues.
  3. Check out online entrepreneur and podcast expert Pat Flynn’s video for recommendations on the best microphones for podcasting, or research other options available in your area.

Via Shout Me Loud

Pick the Right Topic

When starting a podcast, avoid broad subjects or a wide range of topics. Instead, choose a specific theme or niche that you are passionate about. It should be something you can summarize and make appealing in 20 seconds, while also targeting a specific audience. Remember, people enjoy listening to podcasts hosted by individuals they can relate to.

Via Podlad

Know Your Target Audience

To create engaging content for your podcast, identify your target audience. Avoid trying to appeal to everyone, as this often leads to appealing to no one. Instead, create a buyer persona by considering factors such as age, interests, occupation, location, and life goals of your ideal listener. Having a clear understanding of your audience will enable you to produce content that consistently resonates with and entertains them.

Via Riverside.fm

Get Clear on Your Ideal Listener 

To effectively share your message through your podcast, determine your target audience—just like a business owner identifies their ideal customer. Instead of a general group, focus on one perfect person who you want to connect with. Simplify content creation by catering specifically to this individual. Create an ideal listener persona by considering their gender, age, employment status, social life, aspirations, challenges, and the information they would seek related to your podcast’s topic. The more specific you are, the better, as these answers can become the foundation for your initial episodes.

Via RSS.com – Start your podcast with your first episode free by clicking this link!

You’ve got the tips. Now all that’s left is to start your podcast! You can launch your show with a free episode on RSS.com. Click here to get started today!

Got a tip I missed that needs to be added? Tweet me and tell me about it!

The Best Podcast Hosting Companies to Start a Podcast

Thinking of starting a podcast? You’re going to need a hosting company to publish it with. Get details on the leading hosting companies right here!

The 11 Best Podcast Hosting Companies to Start a Podcast

Podcasting is an excellent method to engage with your audience, express your thoughts, generate amusing material, and promote your brand. One of the issues that novice podcasters struggle with is deciding on a host for their podcast.

Related: Learn how to get internet famous with podcasting

The problem is that there are so many alternatives available that even glancing through them may be overwhelming. Even for the savviest customers, the brands might begin to blur together. That is why we have done all of the research for you. In this post, I’ll go through some of the top podcast hosting businesses as well as their essential features.

We’ll look at RSS.com, as well as Transistor, Simplecast, Blubrry, Podbean, and many others. Finally, you’ll be able to make an educated conclusion about which platform is best for you and your new podcast. Let’s get started.

What is a podcast hosting company?

For those who aren’t already familiar with the definition, let’s cover what a podcast hosting company does. The short answer is that a podcast hosting company allows you, the creator, to focus on creating and publishing content while they handle all of the technical aspects of hosting and making the podcast available to your audience. 

Podcast hosting companies also offer a variety of features and tools to help podcasters manage their podcasts, such as analytics, monetization options, and integrations with other platforms. Some platforms even provide support, tutorials, and other resources to help podcasters produce and promote their podcasts more effectively.

While you technically can create a podcast without working with a hosting platform, it comes with a long list of things the creator will need to address. You will need to arrange for storage space and server bandwidth so people can listen, and without a host, you may also need to create your RSS feed to distribute your podcast, which can be complicated. You’ll also face challenges getting similar analytics and monetization options that big hosts can provide. 

What should you look for in a podcast hosting company?

There are potentially dozens of criteria by which you can evaluate or compare hosting companies, but we’ve limited our list to the top 3 things to consider when looking for a podcast hosting company.

Uptime

If you want to reach your audience, your podcast needs to be available when they are, which means you need a reliable host above all else. Uptime is a strong indicator of overall reliability. If you are going to be putting out episodes relatively frequently, you’ll want to ensure your platform has the highest uptime possible.

Analytics & Insights

Another thing to look for in a potential podcast hosting platform is that they provide a detailed set of insights and analytics tools to understand the behavior of your audience. This will include things like download stats, listener distribution, and more. Having detailed analytics means you can make much more informed decisions about your content and marketing strategies. 

Monetization

Finally, if you plan to monetize your podcast to create income or revenue from it, finding a platform with a variety of robust monetization options is going to be crucial. This isn’t just limited to advertising either, this can apply to premium or additional content and more. This also means finding the most favorable revenue-sharing models so that you keep more of what you make. 

Related: Learn how to start a successful podcast from experts in the field.

Best podcast hosting companies right now

My Top Pick: RSS.com

RSS.com has been in the podcast game since 2005, which has given them a long time to get things fine-tuned. You can get started completely free on RSS.com, and you only need to choose a plan once you publish your first episode. They are the perfect platform for beginners and expert podcasters alike.

Features

  • No episode limit
  • Cross-platform analytics and insights
  • Embedded episode player
  • Customizable RSS feed
  • Social share buttons for your episodes
  • Free podcasting website
  • Automatic distribution on the most popular podcast directories including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google and Samsung Podcasts
  • Podcasting 2.0 tags to add chapters, transcripts and soundbites to your episodes

Free/Paid?

All plans are paid.

  • The all-in-one podcasting plan will cost $14.99 per month, or $11.99/month if you choose annual billing.
  • Student and NGO plans available at just $4.99/month!
  • There is also a podcast networks plan starting at $14.99/month that allows you to host multiple podcasts on a single account.

Free trial?

New users can set up their accounts for free, which will allow them to create and publish a single episode. To load a second episode you will have to choose a paid plan.

Pros

  • Highly affordable
  • All-in dashboard
  • Multiple monetization options
  • Cross-platform analytics
  • Embedded player
  • One-click sharing
  • Top-tier customer support

Cons

  • Top-end plans can be relatively expensive

Related: Learn how to protect your intellectual property online.

Transistor

Transistor is a relatively new podcasting hosting platform and has a very skilled and dedicated team behind it. They are very highly focused on podcasts that have a brand, rather than serving those who are unsure of their commitment to production. 

Features

  • Publish multiple different podcasts
  • The ability to add team members
  • They offer great stat visibility

Free/Paid?

There is no option for a free plan, but the plans start at $19 per month, for up to 20,000 downloads, and go up from there. 

Free trial?

Transistor does offer a two-week free trial of their premium offerings. 

Pros

  • Host unlimited different shows
  • Multiple team members
  • Great analytics

Cons

  • Comparatively expensive for higher plans
  • Not geared toward hobbyists

Simplecast

Simplecast offers some of the coolest embedded players, as well as great insights. 

Features

  • Unlimited uploads
  • Stats
  • Website
  • Team members

Free/Paid?

Plans start at $15 per month, which comes with unlimited uploads. Plans of $35 per month or more come with vastly expanded features.

Free trial?

14-day free trials are available with certain promo codes

Pros

  • Unlimited storage 
  • Unlimited uploads
  • Custom website and domain

Cons

  • Only one additional team member allowed

Blubrry

Blubrry is a well-loved podcasting platform that many creators choose over bigger names. They have WordPress integration and a forgiving upload plan, making them great for beginners.

Features

  • PowerPress plugin integration
  • Highly-advanced stats
  • No-fault upload overage lets you exceed upload caps without charges

Free/Paid?

No free plan, but the plans start at $10 per month, with 125MB per month of content storage. This means about one episode per month without an overage.

Free trial?

No free trial option is available

Pros

  • A good option for beginners & experienced podcasters
  • Good customer support
  • Podcast directory integration

Cons

  • Analytics cost extra

Podbean

Podbean is a great option with progressive plans for podcasts to grow into. They also feature their app, as well as Alexa integration for finding and listening to other podcasts.

Features

  • Cheap plans
  • Analytics included
  • App integration

Free/Paid?

The free plan allows 5 hours of uploads with basic stats. Upgraded tiers start at $9 per month when you buy a year, and include custom domains, a website, and more detailed analytics.

Free trial?

Some promo codes can be used to get a free month.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Good features with the free plan

Cons

  • Free plan doesn’t include publishing to Spotify

Castos

Castos is a great option for those who have a WordPress site that they want to integrate with their podcast. They are the brand behind the Seriously Simply Podcasting plugin for WordPress as well.

Features

  • No bandwidth cap
  • Excellent WordPress integration
  • The plugin enables ultra-simple podcasting

Free/Paid?

No free plan. Plans start at $19 per month for unlimited bandwidth and uploads. 

Free trial?

14-day free trials are available, which can also be extended to a month with a coupon code. 

Pros

  • Free, unlimited hosting
  • Listener support
  • Solid analytics

Cons

  • The audio editor needs to be improved
  • Customer support is lacking
  • Limited marketing & distribution options

Spreaker

Spreaker is another platform that’s been around for more than a decade, and they’ve created some unique features over the years. They make it a point to simplify the podcasting process for their users, and have numerous integrations. 

Features

  • Live Podcasting option built-in
  • Chatbox
  • Apps for PC, Mac, Android, and iOS

Free/Paid?

To explore the platform and its features, they do offer a free plan. The most popular option, however, is the $20/month plan called Broadcaster.

Free trial?

Promo codes can earn an extra month on personal annual plans. 

Pros

  • Multiple pricing plans for versatility
  • Super user-friendly

Cons

  • No video podcasting ability
  • Minimal integrated functionalities

Anchor – Spotify for Podcasters

Anchor Spotify for Podcasters is a well-known free podcasting platform, with a heavy focus on mobile podcasting. For a free platform, they are pretty versatile and feature-rich.

Features

  • Built-in ad platform 
  • Focused on mobile podcasting
  • Built-in audio editor

Free/Paid?

The platform is free.

Pros

  • User-friendly
  • Free to use
  • Makes distribution simple for beginners

Cons

  • Extra hoops to jump through to change the email address in your RSS feed to have more creative control
  • Limited sound quality options
  • Remote recording options limited

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout was created to make podcasting simple, without hampering future expansion or publishing. They have one of the best at-a-glance dashboards, which give you crucial details without digging around. They also update their platform with new features regularly.

Features

  • Built-in transcription
  • “Magic Mastering”
  • Affiliate marketing programs
  • Text editor for show notes

Free/Paid?

They have a free plan that hosts your episodes for 90 days and plans that start at $12/month for permanent hosting.

Free trial?

No free trial, just the forever free plan

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Simple interface
  • Constantly improving

Cons

  • With the free plan, your episodes disappear after 90 days

Libsyn

Libsyn is a podcasting platform that has been around for many years, since the advent of podcasting. They are often recommended by word of mouth by existing users that have been with them for a long time, but they need an update.

Features

  • Devoted user base
  • Cheap plans

Free/Paid?

There are no free plans. The cost starts at $5 per month for a 162MB upload cap.

Free trial?

No free trial offers, unless you can find a code somewhere online

Pros

  • Been in the game a while so they are an experienced platform

Cons

  • Outdated
  • Low upload limits
  • Expensive plans for the limited storage and hours per month

Acast

Acast is a platform used globally and has a wide range of monetization options. It’s built to be useful to seasoned podcasters as well as beginners. 

Features

  • Multiple monetization options
  • Advanced analytics
  • Built-in recording and editing abilities

Free/Paid?

Free plans are available with paid plans starting at $14.99 and $29.99/month that unlock additional features 

Free trial?

N/A

Pros

  • Easy onboarding
  • Good insights
  • Membership integration

Cons

  • Difficult social integrations
  • Logging in can be challenging for some

Which podcast hosting company is best?

When It comes down to it, I feel RSS.com is the best podcast hosting company for a variety of reasons. Before we get into those reasons, I do need to disclose that I’m actually such a fan of theirs I’ve even become a brand ambassador for the company. I currently host RSS.com’s show Podcasting 101 with RSS.com as well as my own podcast The Bloggy Friends Show on their platform. 

That said, here’s why RSS.com is the leading podcast platform in my opinion:

  • RSS.com is incredibly user-friendly and has an intuitive interface. These make it seriously easy for even the newest creators to start their podcasts. 
  • RSS.com maintains a robust hosting framework that can accommodate massive traffic and provides all the storage you’ll ever need.
  • The tools you get with RSS.com help you scrape valuable data about the performance of your podcast as well as who’s listening to it.
  • If you’re looking to make money, the monetization options offered by RSS.com are ideal, offering both advertising via Podcorn, tipping with bitcoin, as well as the ability to add your own sponsored content within your episodes. You can even add your Paypal or Patreon link to your public podcast website to give your listeners even more ways to support your content! 

Keep in mind that while I prefer RSS.com and use it exclusively for my podcasting needs, I do fully understand that some podcasters need streaming and private podcasting RSS feed options. While some hosts offer slightly similar benefits and features, RSS.com is my overall top pick for the best podcasting platform. That said, make sure you know what you want from your platform, and do your homework before committing to anyone.

Conclusion and next steps

Now that you have a full rundown of the most popular podcast hosting companies out there right now, as well as a personal recommendation on which I think is the best overall, it’s time to pick your host of choice and start a podcast. Remember – Make sure you consider your wants and needs when shopping for a hosting company. And, you can start your podcast for free with code RSSFREEMONTH with RSS.com. Or you can click this link to switch from your current host and get SIX months free!