If you have a website, blog, or small business, there are many reasons why you should consider starting your own podcast. A podcast can be an excellent creative outlet, but it can also help build relationships with your customers and establish you as a brand authority in your industry or niche. As an author, it’s also a great way of connecting with your readers. Starting a podcast is easy, and we have a few suggestions for podcast equipment for beginners to help you begin to grow your audience.
What basic equipment is needed for a podcast?
The most important equipment you need for your podcast is an idea and topic that people will be interested in. As far as equipment is concerned, many people start with simple equipment and continue to grow their studio as they gain more experience.
One question that most people have in the beginning is, Can I start a podcast with my phone? The answer to that is yes, you can start with your phone, and many now-famous podcasters started that way. Of course, you need a phone that is feature-rich and that is designed with creators in mind. You also might want to consider some other equipment, too.
Digital Recorder
Many phones have recording software already installed that will be just fine for starting out. A separate handheld digital recorder will give you much more flexibility, and it can also be used as a USB interface. One advantage of this option is that digital recorders have more space and will not take up memory on your phone. My favorite is the Zoom H1n because it is camera-mountable and compact.
External Microphone
For professional broadcasting, the internal microphone on your phone is often not robust enough, and it can create noise or distortion. An external microphone will always be your best bet for professional quality. You have many different options available, but the one I like is the Shure SM58 handheld Dynamic Vocal Microphone because it is an excellent choice for interviews when you are on location.
SD Card
If you are starting the podcasting journey with your phone, an SD card is essential for your mobile podcasting gear. Recording audio and video will fill up your memory fast. The worst thing that can happen is that you are in the middle have a great podcast or interview and your phone memory tells you that the show is over. The SanDisk Extreme 512 GB is an excellent choice for your podcast equipment list because it will allow you to store many hours of audio and video.
Equipment for Your Home Studio
Starting with your phone is a good option for some people, but maybe you know that you are in it for the long haul, and you want to start building your professional studio from the beginning. Here are a few of the basics to get you started.
Microphones
The microphone is the most basic and most important piece of podcasting equipment. A good microphone can help eliminate pops, background noise, and make sure that your voice is crystal clear. A good microphone can also reduce editing time. The Blue Yeti is an excellent option for beginners because it is easy to use, has clear sound, and will not break the bank.
Computer System
Podcasting and video production require a powerful computer system. A DAW takes up a lot of memory and you need a fast processor for the best sound quality. The Lenovo IdeaPad with a 1Tb hard drive is an excellent choice.
Audio Interface and Mixer
In the beginning, you might not need an audio interface and mixer. You will need one if you plan to use two separate microphones and have professional capabilities. If you decide to start out with a mixer, the Zoom Podrak P4 is an excellent choice and will allow for up to four microphones at once.
Pop Filter/Windscreen
One of the things that will make your podcast appear to be amateur and downright annoying for your listeners is the heavy “p” sound or wind noise. Avoiding these two mistakes that can cost you loyal fans. The good news is that is it is easy to eliminate by using a pop filter or windscreen on your microphone. Depending on the microphone you purchased, it may come with one, or you might have to purchase one separately. The Saramonic Windshield and Suspension System is a professional-grade shield that will make you sound like a pro even when recording outdoors.
Headphones
When you are mixing and editing, you need a good set of headphones that allows you to hear every pop or crack that you want to eliminate. One of my favorite sets is the Superlux HD 681 Dynamic Semi=Open headphone set. This set produces a surprisingly crisp sound for the price.
Acoustic Treatment
If you are building a studio, one of the things you will want to consider is soundproofing for your walls or desk area. We all know what it is like to try to record in a house full of other people or while trying to compete with the sounds of the neighbor’s dog barking. Soundproofing the room can help eliminate many of these annoyances and give you a quiet recording space. Acoustic foam sound panels can be a podcaster’s best friend.
Podcast equipment for beginners
All of this can seem like a lot for those who are just learning the basics. There are a lot of options available when it comes to equipment. You might wonder, What do you need to start a podcast in the beginning? One of the best ways to get the essential equipment you need is by purchasing podcast equipment packages.
You can choose something basic and inexpensive, like the M-Audio Recording Bundle. You can also start with something that has a few professional-grade components like the Foscarite Scarlet 2i2. You have many options when it comes to what is included and the price range. A podcast starter kit is an excellent way to make sure you have everything you need to start broadcasting.
How do podcasts make money?
Enjoyment and expressing your creativity are some of the main reasons to start a podcast, but you can also make money as a podcaster. Earning some extra money is one of the best reasons to start a podcast this year.
One of the most frequent questions that many beginners have is, “does Spotify pay you for podcasts?” The answer is yes, but you have to build up quite an audience before it begins to pay off. Spotify pays between $0.0032 and $0.0054 per stream. How much you get paid depends on whether the person is a subscriber and the country where they are located. At this rate, it means that you earn about $75 for close to 19,000 streams.
That is not to say that you cannot make some serious money, but you have to be committed to building an audience and building your library of shows. You also need to consider a podcast as audio marketing for your products and services, even if the podcast does not make money directly. Here are some other ways that podcasters monetize their shows.
- Allow advertisements on your podcast.
- Referral sponsorships.
- Traditional Sponsorships.
- Sell your own products.
- Sell your services.
- Sell guest products as an affiliate.
- Listener donations.
- Syndicate your show on YouTube.
- Set up a paywall.
The best part is that you can have some excellent guests on you show and network with others in your industry.
Now you have some of our best recommendations for podcast equipment for beginners. You also know many reasons why you should consider starting a podcast this year. The best part is that you can repurpose content from your podcast for your blog, and vice versa. The next thing to do is to write down your creative ideas, and make a plan to get started.
