Podcasts are taking over the world and changing the way people interact with new content online. Now is the best time to jump on board the podcast bandwagon by starting one yourself! Whether you have your website or you have a story idea you want to take live, you need the right gear to get started. You don’t need a big budget to start your own podcast! The key is to spend time researching the best equipment for your podcast needs so you can get started on the right foot. With so many new podcasts hitting the market every day, you can’t have sub-par quality if you want people to take notice. Here’s a guide to starting a podcast and finding the right tech!

First, Choose a Microphone

Since podcasts are 100% audio (usually) the first and most obvious step to starting your podcast is finding the right microphone. There are a lot of options for getting started, but if you’re new to audio you might not know where to begin. While there are many podcasts that have started using nothing but a smartphone, this won’t ensure the best level of quality. In the early days of podcasting, it was easier to get away with lower quality audio! Today, it’s all about studio-quality sound. Luckily, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to record the best sound.

There are a few main types of microphones for podcasting. There are standing mics that need their own stand which you can adjust as needed. These are generally the most high-quality mics on the market and they produce great podcasts! Next, there are headset mics which come attached to headphones. These aren’t usually the best quality, but they can be a good option for budget podcasters. Finally, there are handheld mics which might resemble something you’d see at a live event.

Depending on your setup, you’ll need to select a podcast microphone that makes the most sense for your needs. If you’re serious about your podcast and want to get started strong, you can’t go wrong with a usb mic. Click here to see the benefits of a usb mic.

Second, you need headphones

Headphones are essential to hearing your audio output in real time. Nothing is worse than recording a full podcast only to realize when you go to edit it that the sound quality is no good! Prevent tech malfunctions by listening to your audio output as you record with a good pair of headphones.

Avoid headphones with built-in mic components since these will produce poor audio and poor sound. If you’re hosting interviews over a platform like Skype, these headphones will be essential to hearing your guest and reducing background noise. The best kind of headphones for podcasters are over the ear headphones that block outside sound and produce the best level of sound quality.

Decide if you need a pop filter

Pop filters aren’t something you use every day, but they can make a big difference in the podcasting world! They aren’t necessary for all types of talkers, but if you know you tend to pop some letters (like p or b!) then you should consider buying a pop filter. These are cheap filters you can use with most mics that help keep these popping sounds to a minimum when you’re speaking into the mic. Don’t worry, these are easy to find and afford! If you don’t have a problem with overly “popping” your letters, you might be able to get around this by speaking into the side of your mic instead of directly into the front.

Sign up for the right accounts

If you’re hosting a podcast, you’ll need a few different accounts to get started. The first is a Skype account. A lot of podcasts feature a variety of guests, and odds are you’ll be doing interviews over Skype. This platform is free and easy to use! You’ll then need a way to record your guest through Skype. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think!

Choose the best audio editing software

One of the most intimidating parts of starting your own podcast is choosing the right editing software. If you aren’t familiar with audio editing, these programs can seem overwhelming at first. The good news is that if you only need simple edits, you don’t need a big program when you’re first getting started. In fact, your computer probably already comes with the free software you need! Gargage Band is a free and high-quality sound and music editor that you can use on your computer to polish your podcasts before launching it.

Finally, you need a hosting account

Now that your podcast is recorded and edited, it’s ready to be launched. That means you need somewhere to host it online so people can download! There are a lot of online hosts to choose from nowadays, and they come with different features and price points. The most popular options are Libsyn and Blubrry which have different packages depending on your hosting needs. When you’re just getting started, you don’t need a large amount of storage since you likely won’t start with a big audience. Start small and find a platform that can grow with you!

Add any finishing touches

Now that your podcast is launched, it’s time to work on the finishing touches. You might want a URL to drive users to your podcast or a social media platform for hosting any updates. The best part about these finishing touches is that they’re all up to you! You can spend as little or as much time and money as you choose on these additions depending on your goals. You might want to design a logo or create an audio intro to take your podcast to the next level! As long as you have great content, users will come!

Podcasting Today

You don’t need a lot of complex tools or tech to get started podcasting. The best part of creating a podcast is building a community of listeners. As long as you have the minimum tech gear, you can produce a great-sounding podcast on a budget! These tech tips above will get you started in your search for the right podcasting gear! What are you waiting for? Click record and start podcasting!