See you soon! The Daily will be on fall break next week. We’ll be back on Monday, October 4 with your morning headlines, resources, and tips.

PodMov Daily: Friday, September 24

Episode 511: Week Download Complete

A $0.00 Podcast Can’t Be Made for Free

While it’s certainly possible to make a podcast for next to nothing, should you? Producer and consultant Nick Hilton considers what podcasting is pressured to believe about itself — that “people can rock up with a dream and no experience” and succeed. Monetary or not, there’s always a cost to the creator.

“Whether you make a podcast for $0.00 or $1,000,000, you are going to end up making a similar investment from your reserves of endeavour and optimism,” Hilton says. A few hundred dollars can realistically improve one’s chances if spent wisely. If your starting budget is just an idea, the odds may not be worth the labor. 

Money boosts those odds in a crowded field. If it’s possible to save up, Hilton suggests focusing on development in the meantime. However, opportunity is still “the drug that fires podcasting’s imagination.” Just take the leap if free is what’s affordable: “A thousand to one might be a shot in the dark, but it’s still a shot.”

What's On Next Week in Podcasting

While the newsletter will be on break, we want to keep your work inspired and your calendars full. Enjoy!

Monday, September 27: This is the last day to fill out The Podcaster Problems Survey 2021. The Podcast Host plans to develop strategies for creators’ ongoing challenges. Answer 10 questions for a chance to win a Samson Q2U mic and gear.

Tuesday, September 28: A virtual Podchaser event, “Growing your Podcast via the Hero’s Journey,” is at 12:00 pm ET. The hourlong session will cover the platform’s features and tips for  SEO optimization, growth, and discovery.

Wednesday, September 29: George the Poet and producer Benbrick will discuss the skills and inspiration behind their Peabody-winning show Have You Heard George’s Podcast?, which also swept the 2019 British Podcast Awards. Audiotrain registration is pay-what-you-can from £5 to £15. Begins at 12:00 pm CT/6:00 pm BST.

Also on Wednesday, Africa Podfest kicks off its Discovery Tour on the road to this year’s event. Held in Zambia, the celebration of International Podcast Day is the first of four ‘stops.’ Over three hours, creators from across the continent will share experiences, skills, and tips. Begins at 6:45 am CT/1:45 pm GMT +2.

Thursday September 30: International Podcast Day. Worldwide celebrations include the second annual Black Podcasting Awards, founded by Georgie-Ann Getton. The virtual ceremony featuring special performances will represent 165+ Black podcasts across 20+ categories. Free registration, begins at 8:00 pm ET. 

For True Fans: Standup Comedy “Your Host & MC”

Every week on Your Host & MC, Scott Edwards celebrates 40+ years on the fringe of show business. It’s a podcast for true standup fans, with classic legends and fresh talent all on one stage. As a club founder, Scott shares the mic with the best working and retired comics.

Along with standup sets, you’ll hear interviews with the famous — and not-so-famous. Kick back with Dana Carvey, Jerry Seinfeld, Paula Poundstone, Bob Saget, and many (many) more, telling behind-the-scenes stories you won’t hear anywhere else. 

Episodes drop on Sundays, plus bonus shows every other week with fresh standup material. Ready to get back in the audience? Your Host & MC brings nonstop jokes from the greenroom to your living room. Listen, subscribe, and meet your new favorite podcast.

Here's what else is going on:

• A toast: The nonprofit audio collective Hub and Spoke has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Rasmussen Family Fund. Founded in 2017, the collective is made up of nine artist-owned shows. This trailblazing victory could set a new model for indie funding, writes Jon Christensen.

• Next level: Getting serious about podcasting ideally means upgrading your materials. In Podcast Pontifications, Evo Terra recommends five tools and services to get started. Though spending a bit more won’t make you a better creator, the time and money saved can enhance your focus. 

• Hands up: Clubhouse has introduced Wave, “a feature that makes it easier to start private rooms with friends when you see that they’re online.” Amanda Silberling of TechCrunch details the rules and what to expect. As Ashley Carman puts it, “Clubhouse reinvents the Facebook poke.”

• Outside in: A translation initiative into Australian sign language is “finally giving Deaf and hard of hearing people access to the world of podcasting.” The hosts of Talking In Common and two Deaf podcast fans tell broadcaster SBS what the development has meant for their community.