How to Grow Your Podcast on Zero Budget: Real Tips That Work

The Circle Sessions

In this episode, I’m joined by Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications to talk about something many podcasters face: how to start and grow your podcast with little to no budget. Tonnisha brings her expertise in digital marketing and small business solutions to share real, actionable advice for podcasters working with limited resources.

We kick things off by discussing the importance of just getting started, even if all you have is a smartphone and a laptop. Tonnisha recommends using free or low-cost editing tools like iMovie or Canva, and uploading your episodes to free platforms such as YouTube. We chat about the importance of being mindful of your recording environment, especially if you’re only using built-in microphones.

A big focus is on growing organically—leveraging social media, tagging guests, and collaborating to maximize your reach. Tonnisha shares practical tips like inviting guests to co-create Instagram content, which can expand your audience without spending a dime. We emphasize making guests feel valued, keeping them in the loop about episode launches, and encouraging their support in promoting your content.

We also highlight free marketing channels like newsletters (using Substack, ConvertKit, or LinkedIn), and the power of repurposing engaging moments from your episodes on social to spark conversation. Tonnisha suggests joining topic-specific Facebook or LinkedIn groups to share your podcast with communities already interested in your subject matter, and even interviewing group admins to build real connections and increase visibility.

Editing can be a pain point, so we talk about batching episodes, planning recordings to minimize mistakes, and tracking your time with tools like Toggl to decide when it’s worth outsourcing. Ultimately, we stress that DIY-ing is great for starting out, but knowing when to invest your time—or someone else’s—makes all the difference.

If you’re looking for creative ways to keep your podcast moving forward on a shoestring budget, this episode is packed with first-hand advice, inspiration, and resources to help you make the most of what you have.

Key Moments

00:00 "Podcasting Basics with Free Tools"

03:09 Organic Podcast Growth Tips

07:23 Podcast Studio Networking Tips

12:09 "Maximize Podcast Reach and Savings"

13:54 Promoting Podcasts in Niche Groups

18:57 Time Management for Effective Outsourcing

20:50 Efficient Time Management Tips

24:23 "Building Business with Free Resources"

Here are my top 3 takeaways from our conversation:

• Start with What You Have: Leverage your smartphone, laptop, and free or built-in editing tools like Canva or iMovie to produce and share your episodes. Don’t let the lack of expensive equipment hold you back—focus on content and consistency.
• Grow Organically (and Creatively): Collaborate with your podcast guests for cross-promotion, use social platforms to tag and invite them as collaborators, and tap into relevant Facebook or LinkedIn groups. Building your network this way can be just as effective as paid ads—and often more authentic.
• Track Your Time & Outsource Strategically: Use free tools like Toggl to see where you’re spending time. If editing eats up your hours, consider bartering services or investing a bit to outsource the tasks that slow you down, so you can focus on what you do best.

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Each week, one of The Circle of Experts talks about critical aspects of growing your podcast. We focus on marketing, social media, monetization, website design, and implementation of all of these to help you make the best podcast possible.

Have a question or an idea for one of our episodes? Send us an email at [email protected].

The Circle of Experts are:

Yasmine Robles from Rebel Marketing

Tonnisha English-Amamoo of TJE Communications

Don The Idea Guy

Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy®, from Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants

Copyright 2025 Brett Johnson, My Podcast Guy™

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