What Tools Do You Need to Start a Podcast?
When I started my podcast three years ago, I thought I needed all the tech. I searched out the best equipment and software, preparing for a massive dent in my bank account.
Then I started following a few podcasters and watching their behind-the-scenes Instagram stories and posts. I listened to my business mentor talk about the equipment she uses to produce her podcast, and a light bulb went off.
I don’t need expensive studio equipment to do this!
So, in the Summer of 2018, I bought an inexpensive yet popular microphone on Amazon Prime Day, downloaded free editing software, plugged in my trusty headphones, and recorded episode one.
And you know what? It sounded pretty darn good!
You don’t need expensive equipment to get started: just a great idea and a way to record. There are a few things that help, though, as you get started in your podcasting journey.
Here are a few of the key and practical tools for starting a podcast:
Content
Content is, above all, the most crucial piece to starting a podcast. Without content, you have, well, no podcast.
Your podcast content should fit in with your business’s mission, vision, and goals. It should be a part of your content marketing strategy and provide helpful information to your audience, drawing them in over and over again.
Make sure your content is consistent. If your podcast is about cats, don’t go off talking about dogs unless you can somehow connect the two. Similarly, if you’re bringing guest interviews into your episodes, make sure that their content aligns with your podcast.
Computer or smartphone
The next most important tool is a way to record your podcast, and with today’s technology, you can record from nearly any device.
I recommend recording your podcast on a computer into a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) such as Garageband or Audacity or to interview guests, an Internet-based platform like Zencastr, Zoom SquadCast, or Riverside FM.
A DAW has all the tools you need to record and edit your episode. Macs come with Garageband pre-installed, or you can download Audacity for free for either Mac or PC.
Internet-based platforms typically only allow for recording, creating the extra steps of downloading the file to your computer and uploading it to your DAW for editing. Still, some platforms are beginning to offer basic editing tools.
If a computer just isn’t possible at the moment, then your smartphone might be able to help you out. You can use your voice recorder app, download an app meant just for podcasting, or if your hosting platform comes with an app (like Anchor or Spreaker), then you can record right into their app.
Project management tool
Podcast episodes involve many small details, and if you want to be consistent with your podcast, then a project management tool is key for staying organized.
I prefer to use Asana, but you can create a workflow in any project management platform out there. To make the best use of your tool, I create templates for guest and solo episodes, including all the bits and pieces for each episode: outline content, record, insert intro/outro, edit, social media content, etc. It keeps me organized and consistent with how I release episodes.
You can purchase my Asana podcast management tracker template from Templana (yes, I do receive a commission) to keep your podcast organized.
Hosting platform
Besides content and a way to record, a hosting platform is one of your podcast’s most essential tools. Without one, your podcast would go nowhere.
Hosting platforms are the middleman between you and the distribution platforms (think Apple, Spotify, Google, and more). You upload your content to the hosting platform, and then it shares the content with the distribution platforms via an RSS feed (Really Simple Syndication).
There are countless hosting platforms out there now with all different price ranges and features. The key to choosing a platform is to understand your goals and budget for the podcast, then comparing the features and pricing. Here’s a helpful guide to choosing your hosting platform.
Microphone
An excellent professional microphone can make your podcast sound impressive, but it’s not necessary out of the gate, especially if you’re just testing the podcasting waters. Most computers today come equipped with an internal microphone, and your smartphone will have one as well. I used the microphone on my headset for a few episodes when my podcast mic bit the dust a few weeks back. Sure, the sound wasn’t as good, but it was pretty incredible given the tech I used.
When you’re ready to go all-in on your podcast, an excellent professional microphone is a worthy investment. I like Blue Microphones and record with their Blue Yeti, but other brands create quality USB microphones (Shure, RODE, Audio Technica). There are microphones for all budgets and needs, so you’ll be sure to find something that suits you best.
Headphones
Like a microphone, headphones aren’t necessary right away, though they make an incredible difference if you’re editing in a noisy environment. Headphones are also helpful for recording guest episodes to cut down on any feedback that comes through the recording interface.
For the first two years of podcasting, I used my trusty Apple headphones (the ones that come with your iPhone). Sure, the quality isn’t the greatest, but they did the trick and kept my podcast expenses low. Once the noise level increased in my apartment complex due to children and construction, I invested in a pair of noise-canceling headphones from AKG. What a difference they make!
Editing software
Last but not least, you’ll need to have some editing software. As mentioned earlier, some of these DAWs come installed on your computer or are available as free downloads online.
With editing software, you can cut out the “ums,” “ahs,” and “you knows” (my filler of choice), edit out parts you may not want to share, and integrate your intro, outro, and any ads into the final mp3 file.
A high-end DAW isn’t required, as the free platforms can do the trick for most podcasters. Free software includes Garageband and Audacity, and higher-end software can include Adobe Audition, Logic Pro, Avid Pro Tools, Ableton, and more.
If editing just isn’t your thing or you want a higher quality edit, then you can contract your editing out to a podcast or audio editor. They know the software inside and out and can produce a quality final product.
What else might you need?
While some tools you need (content, a computer, and a hosting platform), some are tools you can invest in down the road.
One other tool you can invest in, especially if you’re short on time and can’t keep a consistent schedule with your episodes, is a podcast manager.
A podcast manager (PM) will take all the tedious and time-consuming tasks off your plate and can even help you strategize your podcast, episodes, and marketing. PMs typically help edit, write show notes, upload to your hosting platform, create blog content, produce audiograms and other social media assets, and do guest management.
Podcasting doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. You can start and grow a podcast with just a few essential tools and invest more down the road. That’s what I think makes podcasting unique: it’s easy, and anyone can do it!
*Originally published at Medium.com