6 Essential Tools You Need For A Successful Podcast

Some people think that starting a podcast is simply a case of recording yourself talk. If only it were that easy! Well, technically, you can just do this. There’s no rule that stops you from recording yourself and uploading it to a podcasting platform. The problem is that this won’t be a very good podcast at all. 

Audiences want to listen to podcasts that are informative and entertaining, but they also want something that’s of a high-quality. There are few things worse than trying to listen to something that sounds grainy or keeps jumping around. So, you need to produce a professional product that will actually impress your audience. 

To do this, you’ll need to get your hands on some vital tools and technologies. Here are the most essential things that podcasters need to be successful: 

A Top-Class Podcasting Microphone

Naturally, this is the best place to start. Your microphone will play a huge role in determining the audio quality of your podcast. A good one should provide minimal feedback and make your voice sound crisp and clear. There shouldn’t be any fuzzy or crackly background noises, and it should be able to isolate your voice.

It sounds silly, but a good microphone can make a world of difference for your podcast. It makes the listening experience so much better for the audience, making it more likely that they will keep listening and tuning in episode after episode. There are plenty of excellent podcasting microphones available, so have a look around and find one that suits your needs. Your main concern will be the price, think about how much you can afford to spend on a mic. I will say that this is a worthwhile investment, so don’t be afraid to get an expensive option if you want the best audio quality. 

Recording & Editing Software

Obviously, you need to record your podcast. To do this, you will need recording software. There are a few low-budget and free options like GarageBand or Audacity. Both of these programmes let you record and edit audio all in one go. Editing is crucial as you will rarely record something perfect all the way through. Things may need to be cut out, transitions might have to be put in, etc. 

While free options work well for beginners, it can be beneficial to get a paid editing software to be more professional. Things like Hindenburg Journalist Pro are popular amongst big podcasters as it gives you so many tools rolled into one package. You can adjust audio settings, crop files with ease; it’s very, very useful. Regardless, you need recording and editing software to, basically, run your podcast. 

A Good Smartphone

Don’t underestimate the value of a good smartphone for your podcast. Essentially, you will use this to keep your podcast up and running while you’re on the move. You can make audio notes when a new podcasting topic pops into your mind, set schedules via apps and the calendar, or even conduct interviews on the move through video calling. 
The fact is that you won’t be around your laptop or computer all the time. If you want your podcast to be successful, then you need to manage it on the move. Smartphones allow you to do just that. It mentions in an article titled Keep Your Business Mobile that Google Pixel 4 is an excellent phone for business use. I would suggest looking for businesses-centred phones to use as your portable management centre. They should come with all the features you need to stay updated with your podcast and keep track of everything.

Headphones

The quality of your headphones isn’t as important as the quality of your microphone, but it’s still a tool that all podcasters need. Effectively, the purpose is to hear yourself as you record. It lets you know what you sound like, and you can also hear audio from any guests as well. Without them, it’s a lot harder to hear what people are saying, which can mean you release episodes that are poor in quality without knowing it. 

Ideally, some over-the-head headphones are your best bet here. For me, the best podcasting headphones come with noise-cancelling features. This blocks out any outside noises, so you get clear audio streams through your ears. 

Remote Conversation Recording Software

In some cases, you will host a podcast with other people. This might mean you’re all in the same place, but it could mean you’re speaking to them remotely. As such, it’s hard to get both of your audio recordings onto the same podcast. You may need to record yourself, then the guest records their audio, and you combine the two. It’s far too complex, particularly when there are better options out there. 

Instead, you need some type of remote conversation recording software. This basically lets you conduct and record interviews with other people. Platforms like SquadCast operate like Skype in that you can video call someone from across the world, but it also lets you record the conversation. If you plan on having guests or other hosts, then this software is essential. 

Design Software

Lastly, you need a tool to help you design the podcast artwork. No matter where you list your podcast – be it Spotify or iTunes – you need to have some sort of cover art. This is what people will see when they play your podcast and when they scroll through podcast charts or libraries to see what’s on offer. 

As with pretty much everything in life, your podcast can be judged by its looks. An excellent piece of cover art can draw in an audience and get people to try you out. Don’t underestimate this! Use software like Adobe Photoshop or Canva to help you create the best artwork possible. Or, if you lack the skills/imagination, then hire a freelance designer to do it for you.  

Grab all of these tools, and you will be well set-up to start a successful podcast. Now, all you need is an excellent topic/theme and some ideas for episodes. Talk about things an audience will find interesting or entertaining, and be consistent with your uploads!