Essentials Needed to Create Your Own Podcast
Podcasting has become a digital staple in recent years. When we want something to make us laugh or soothe our minds, we often opt for a podcast over other mediums. But why is that, what makes podcasts so addictive?
Arguably, it’s the ability to be able to download and listen to these episodic audios whenever we want, about whatever topic we’re interested in. Despite the radio and audio books being enjoyable too, they have limitations that podcasts often don’t: you can more easily pick and choose, they’re normally short in length, and they offer an intimacy that other mediums don’t. In short, they allow you control over what you listen to as the consumer.
Given the above reasons, it’s not hard to understand why so many listeners don’t just want to consume the content, but they want to make their own too. This, in turn, emphasises yet another reason for the popularity: you can easily create your own podcast. Of course, while anyone can turn their hand to podcasting, not every podcast is made equal. Therefore, if you want to explore this creative medium, you first need to make sure you have a good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of SiriusXM vs Spotify, or other platforms, so you can publish your podcast to reach the widest audience. Beyond this, you also need to ensure you have the right equipment to do so.
The reason equipment is so crucial is because it determines how polished and easy to hear your audio is; if you want your podcast to be a success, you need the quality to be good. Before you go rushing to purchase some new equipment, however, make sure to use the below essentials to prevent you from spending unnecessarily on the wrong items.
Computer/Laptop
As obvious as this may sound, it’s important to drive home how crucial a good computer is. Even though you might already have a device to use, it may not have enough space or be able to handle the right software that you need to complete your podcast. Generally speaking, most people will have a device that is new enough to handle the recording and editing process. Nevertheless, if you find your computer begins to struggle, it may be wise to invest in a new computer; this is, of course, an investment that you can decide on later down the line. For now, if your computer or laptop does the job, albeit slowly, it’ll manage just fine.
A Microphone
Microphones are arguably the most important piece of puzzle, as they will be recording every word you say. This is why it’s important to buy the best microphone you can afford; there’s a lot of budget and higher end options out there, so the best advice is to research well. For someone who’s inexperienced with podcasts and is just starting out, you’d be best to go for a basic model that’ll get the job done for the time being. Granted, you’ll likely have to upgrade eventually, especially if your podcasts prove successful, but that’s not essential to creation right this second. If these sort of decisions have you stumped, you can click here to find out more and to ultimately help you better understand the different pros and cons of microphone models.
Pair of Headphones
In a similar vein to the microphone, headphones are also extremely important when recording a podcast. Why you ask? Simply because there’s certain sounds that you won’t be able to easily identify when listening back to your recording. Think of the example of a Let’s Play Youtuber, they sometimes comment on sounds in a game that you can’t hear without plugging in your own headphones. This is because the smallest sound can have an impact on how you engage with the audio. As a result, you want to ensure you can hone in on any background noise that needs cleaning up during editing. You don’t have to spend a fortune, in fact, if you’re starting out you can use the headphones you have from your mobile. The point is to be able to hear beyond what the naked ear can.
Editing/Mixing Assistance
Assistance doesn’t mean getting in a professional editor, although you can if you want to, but rather about having the right editing software. Some computers come with a basic package, which may be highly useful when starting out, however, once you begin to churn out more content, you’ll need better options. Most of the “better” software packages cost money, as you’d expect, but there are some options that are completely free. What matters most isn’t necessarily what everyone else uses, but what you find easiest to use; does it do the job, can you navigate the software well? Can you seamlessly add background music for podcast segments? If you can answer yes to these, then you’ve found the right tool for you.
Podcast Hosts
Once you’ve got the completed article and are ready to show your podcast to the public, you need to have somewhere to share it. This is where podcast hosts come into play. Their job is simply to offer you a platform to easily share your podcasts with as many listeners as possible. Even if you’re not intended to launch a career from podcasting, reaching listeners is vital for podcast creators, otherwise you’ve worked hard for little returns. There’s some argument out there that you don’t need to use a host, but most people who don’t have an under listened to mp3 — you don’t want that. Given the popularity of podcasting, there’s quite a few hosts to explore and test. Although most of them are well trusted, some don’t support certain channels, such as Instagram or Facebook, so make sure you research exactly where your podcast can be downloaded from.
Transcriptions for Accessibility
You might also want to consider how you provide show notes and transcriptions for your podcasts. Most listeners will like to read interviews with your guests rather than just listen, especially if you are providing excellent content. This is where an academic transcription could come in useful. There are services out there that will transcribe your podcast interviews quickly and accurately so you can include this in your show podcast show notes or as part of your blog.
This list is very much designed with beginners in mind. However, there’s nothing wrong with more experienced podcasters taking a look to give themselves a refresher.