Resource:How to start a podcast series

Anybody can start a podcast series. It really takes three main things to get started; equipment, content, and a podcasting platform. That’s it! To give a better understanding of how each works we will break each main ingredient into it’s own section and discuss your options.

Section 1: Equipment

You can’t start a podcast without first having the equipment to record the content. For all intents and purposes, anything that can record sound digitally can make you a podcast. However, it is nice to have a list of equipment necessary for the task. So here is your list.

• Microphone
• Computer
• Audio Editing Software
• Speakers and/or Headphones

This simple list can essentially get anybody started in creating a podcast. Let's break it down a bit further:

Microphone:

A good microphone is an important part of your recording. Since a podcaster’s intent is to reach a mass audience, high quality sound should be a big priority. A microphone like “Blue Yeti” works great because it is a USB microphone that connects directly into your computer to record sound digitally. If you are recording your podcast in a room this should work great. If you are not recording in a room, but going on location, making sure you use a microphone with a windsock could help prevent wind-shearing in your audio recording. It is important to do your research when selecting a microphone, because your purpose should be to get one that allows you to get the quality of sound necessary for your podcast based on how you plan on producing your content.

Computer:

Any modern computer you have should work fine. Most modern computers have the capacity to handle the storage and playback of audio data. However, depending on the software you use, certain minimum requirements will be required of your machine. Depending on how you plan to store your raw data of the audio and how long you plan on keeping it, an external hard drive may also be beneficial to keep your computers hard drive free of unnecessary data storage. The computer to your podcast series is like the workbench to the craftsman. Your productivity and quality of final product can all be affected by the one you use.

Software:

This almost goes hand-in-hand with your computer selection. There are a number of online platforms such as Audacity, but it can get costly when it comes to storing your data (measured by the GB, so the more you store the costlier it becomes). We believe a software application such as Adobe Audition will work the best. It does come with an individual monthly cost of around $20 per month, but can grow along with your podcast series. If there is a worry about adding an additional monthly cost, software such as WavePad is a one-time cost of about $95 that can also grow with your podcast series. However, as new updates are implemented to WavePad, the updated software would need to be newly purchased whereas Adobe Audition will always be up to date with your monthly app subscription.

Speakers and/or Headphones:

Listening to, editing, or even knowing your podcast the way your users do is predicated on your ability to listen and fine tune it yourself first. Most computers should have onboard speakers or a headphone jack. However, if some of your audience will be utilizing better quality speakers and/or headphones than you, it would be prudent to at least match that quality through your editing and reviewing process. This will be the empathetic part of your process. Hearing your content in the same manor as the audience.

Section 2: Content

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Section 3: Platform

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Creating a Podcast Series: The Roadmap

Written by Keeyana Kian, Char'nae Davis, and Brian Hensley