Hosting a podcast can be a super enriching experience. With it, you’ll be able to share your knowledge and passion, cultivate an audience, and possibly make some money! No matter your area of expertise, whether it’s business, music, or psychology, a successful podcast requires some crucial fundamentals. With their booming popularity, the competition has gotten quite fierce nowadays. In that spirit, this beginner-friendly guide will walk you through everything you need to consider before starting your very own podcast.
Hardware Equipment
The first thing on your podcast preparation checklist is determining how well-equipped you are in terms of hardware. You’ll need a high-spec computer with a powerful processor (Intel i5 or Ryzen 5 at least) to ensure a lag-free creative experience. Ideally, your machine should have 8 or 16GB of RAM and plenty of SSD storage for your files. The more powerful, the better.
Next, consider your future recording equipment. Podcast hosts need microphones that deliver crisp, optimal sound quality for an optimal experience. If you plan on dedicating a lot of time to your show, opt for an XLR condenser mic and audio interface setup. It may be more costly than a standard USB microphone, but it’s worth the investment. Don’t forget high-quality headphones for audio monitoring, too. For some, it may be wise to look into room soundproofing solutions to record in peace.
Audio Software
After the hardware comes to the software, a Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW) will be your main command center for recording, editing, mixing, and post-processing your raw audio. Whether you’re a Windows or macOS user, there are plenty of options to try out, both free and paid. That said, as a novice, you’d best start with an easy to maneuver software, such as Audacity, to familiarize yourself with all the technicalities. With practice and experience, you’ll be able to move on to more complex software and take your recording value to the next level.
Podcast Hosting Platform
It should go without saying that choosing the right hosting platform is an essential aspect of your podcasting endeavor. These services handle the broadcasting and publishing your podcast on various streaming apps in exchange for a small monthly fee. To know what to look for, the expert reviewers at Wired Clip explain that a hosting platform needs to be accessible, reliable and guarantee that your show makes it to the most popular channels (iTunes, Spotify, RSSRadio, Podbean, etc.) for optimum exposure. With the dozens of providers available, be sure to conduct enough research and consult specialized reviews before you make a decision.
Theme and Topics
Once you’ve managed the technical and operational side of things, it’s time to get your creative juices flowing! Begin by selecting an overall theme for the podcast. This could be travel, gaming, learning, fashion, beauty, business, or whatever subject interests you. Next, make a list of possible topics, sub-topics, and current trends you’d like to explore throughout your show. Rather than prioritize either expertise or passion, find a subject that combines both and can get you talking for hours without getting bored (or boring).
Show’s Name, Format, and Hosting Style
Now that you’ve got plenty of material to work with, start building your podcast’s identity and marketability. Ideally, you need a unique concept for your audio show that will set you apart, attract listeners, and enable you to build large followership. Come up with a short, catchy name, complete with funky cover art and good music for the intro and outro. In parallel, put thought into the show’s format (storytelling, Q&A, interview) as well as your hosting style.
Yourself!
None of the above will matter if you’re not getting yourself ready. Remember that a podcast is an excellent opportunity to develop your communication, entertainment, and comedic skills. For that reason, make it a point to get in the right mindset, breathe, and warm up your voice. It will take plenty of trial-and-error to find your momentum and style, so perseverance is of the essence. By taking it one step at a time, learning from your mistake, and responding to your audience’s feedback, you’re maximizing your show’s appeal and attracting potentially lucrative partnerships and sponsors.
It’s fair to say that there’s a lot more to preparing for a podcast than meets the eye. Between getting your equipment ready, thinking of the show’s format and content, and finding a reliable hosting platform, starting a podcast requires plenty of commitment. Hopefully, these useful pointers will help you create a successful podcast and reach your target audience quickly and effectively.
