I used to run the St. Louis Podcasting MeetUp Group.
We have had dozens of get-togethers with a variety of topics like “How Can I Use Podcasting To Grow My Business”.
But the conversation always meandered back to “What do I need to start a podcast?”
Here is a simple list of what you should have to start a successful podcast.
Note: Some of the items below include affiliate links and/or coupon codes that will allow me to earn a commission – and some may save you money too.
MICROPHONE: Give your podcast audio a boost
Computers and webcams come with microphones. However, spending a few dollars on a dedicated microphone may be the best value purchase you ever make for your podcast.
There are thousands of options to choose from but I have found the Samson Q2U to be the most budget-friendly and expandable microphone currently out there.
Check out my Resources page for other recommendations
RECORDING software or services
To record solo episodes, you could simply use the Voice Recorder (Windows) or QuickTime (Mac) to record audio. Just make sure it is recognizing your microphone and hit Record.
However, recording with someone over the internet requires more tech. Everyone is familiar with Zoom, but I recommend better quality and reliable services like Riverside or Descript to record those conversations. Plus, they record video too.
Note: If you have more than one person in the room with you, then things get more complicated. I recommend getting a digital recorder or another setup (see my Resources page).
EDITING software
The best editing software you can use is the one you already know HOW to use. Podcasters can get into passionate discussions about why their recording/editing program is better than the other – but learning a new tool can be agonizing.
Start with what you know, then migrate to something better if you feel the need. We talk about editing software all the time in my Podcast Editors Club. Feel free to join!
Audio editing software:
I've been using Audacity since before podcasting existed! It's the tool I knew, so it's the tool I've learned to master over the years.
Adobe Audition is the #1 program used by professional Podcast Editors, and it's a name you can trust. Package it along with Photoshop and Premiere and you've got access to a suite of powerful content creation and editing tools!
Other popular DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) are Hindenburg, Pro Tools, Reaper, and **Logic Pro.
All of the above programs work on both Windows and Mac computers with the exception of **Logic Pro (Mac only). Only Audacity is free, the others require a subscription except Reaper (one-time purchase).
Video editing software:
This gets more complicated, so I'll just list out all the options:
Premiere Pro: From Adobe, Premiere offers cloud backups and integration with Audition. Works on Windows and Mac
Final Cut: A Mac-only app with a one-time purchase price. Very powerful, especially on new silicon chip Mac computers.
DaVinci Resolve: A FREE video editing program for both Windows and Mac. EXTREMELY powerful, with access to really cool visual effects.
Descript: This program has redefined editing both audio and video. Media is transcribed, then you EDIT THE TEXT LIKE A WORD DOCUMENT! If I were to start fresh today, this is what I'd spend time learning.
Riverside: Yes, Riverside the recording program has built-in editing. This is what I use for the Podcast Editors Mastermind Show. The features aren't as good or powerful as the others, but using the Ai tool saves TONS of time.
DOMAIN: Give your website a name
I highly recommend you purchase a domain for your website. This is the web address people will type into their web browser or on their smartphone to look for your content. Make it memorable and unique without using numbers, stop words or homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings like four, for, and fore).
If the domain is primarily for your podcast and you are 100% certain you will never use it for anything else then using the word “podcast” in the domain name might help you get an address that would otherwise be taken. This tip works really well for TV show fan clubs who podcast.
WEBSITE: Give your website a home
You could have a domain point to a Facebook group, Canva design page, or something else, but I highly recommend having a home base for everything you do and all the things you offer.
Web hosting companies give all your images, articles, and contact information a place to live…and it's completely under your control.
Note: You could have a free website hosted by WordPress.com (note the .com in the title) or Blogger.com but you lose many things like SEO or the ability to fully customize the functionality and design of your website.
MEDIA HOST: Give your recordings a home
Serving mp3 files from your own website, or places like Kajabi or Substack, can be fraught with tech issues.
This is why I recommend a podcast media host.
Captivate is my favorite because it offers YOU the ability to upload your own promos and ads to be inserted (and eventually removed) dynamically.
Buzzsprout is a very close second, and has an even better interface.
Libsyn is the best known, as it has been around since 2005. The lower tier plans don't include dynamic insertion tools, but their Pro level is powerful!
Media hosts I haven't yet had the pleasure of using, but are recommended, are RedCircle, Blubrry, Transistor, and RSS.com.
You could start podcasting with no out-of-pocket costs, but if you want your podcast to sound, look, and be accepted by its listeners as being professional then you will need to spend a little money. Take it from an expert: These tools work and make it easier to release a successful podcast.
Now, what are you waiting for? Yes, you can start a podcast too!
