But, when you’re first starting a new podcast, it can be daunting: What do I talk about? What equipment do I need? How do I post? What if no one listens?
When I first started, I used an iPhone (before the cameras were good) and a cheap mic. Over time, and with consistency, my content and my podcasting knowledge improved.
My advice is don’t wait until everything is perfect – because it never will be. Keep reading to learn the basics of starting a podcast, then go off and create.
CONTENT
Before you press record, establish two things: your podcast content and structure.
- Content: Establish the type of content you want to share on your podcast. Make it something you are passionate about and (at least somewhat) knowledgeable about. This makes it easier to be more consistent.
- Structure: Consider how you want to structure each show. Do you prefer an interview-style podcast where you’re speaking to other heads within your industry? Are you a news-style show where you’re directly covering events that affect your audience? Or perhaps you are answering questions directly from consumers? (Pro tip: Q&A format allows you to film in batches).
GEAR
This is where things get really overwhelming. Anyone who has typed “podcast equipment” in a Google search knows there are endless types of cameras, lights, microphones, computers, editing software, sound foam, and headphones that pop up…it’s a lot.
However, what most people don’t realize is, there’s a much lower barrier to entry when starting your own podcast. In fact, I wouldn’t recommend investing in a ton of gear until you are certain you will be consistent after the initial excitement of a new project wears off.
Do you have a phone that came out in the last couple of years? Great! Pair that with a decent USB mic and some good natural lighting and that is more than enough to get you started creating content and rolling out episodes of your podcast. As long as your audio is crisp and your content is genuine, you will find your audience.
If you are ready for some more equipment but don’t know where to start, take a look at these options ranging from newbie to podcast pro:
EDITING
If you are going to start out editing your own podcast (and have never edited before), go with a user-friendly software like iMovie. It has great transitions, sound effects, and titles built right in. Plus, it’s free and bundled in with every Apple computer. Some light editing is enough to add dynamics to your video and give it a professional feel.
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution has come so far in recent years, with sites like Anchor being the flagship. Anchor is a free platform that allows you to host your podcast and distribute it to other platforms like Apple Podcast and Spotify. All you have to do is upload your file and Anchor literally takes care of everything else! On top of that, they also have built-in monetization options to help you connect with advertisers.
Now that you have some of the basics down, go get started! If you’re looking for a more in-depth overview of starting a podcast, sign up for the BAM newsletter for more information on a Podcasting ebook.