Podcast Starter Kit

So you’ve decided to read our podcast starter kit… I guess that means you’re interested in starting your own podcast? 

Great idea! And you’ve definitely come to the right place to learn everything you need to know to become a pro! 

We’re going to help you find all the gear you’ll need to complete your podcast setup. 

You’ve just had an amazing idea for a podcast subject. That’s great! But now you’re maybe thinking, what’s next? 🤔

You began researching podcast starter kits… that’s a good place to start! And we’re very happy that you’ve decided to read ours! You won’t regret it! 😊 

This starter kit will help you determine all the fine details you need to launch your podcast and how to keep it up over the long run. 🏃‍♀️ 

First things first: ☝️

Don’t think that recording into a microphone is the first thing to do. 🙅‍♀️ 

Yes, it’s certainly important, but if you want to put stars in the eyes (or in our case the ears) of your audience, take your time, plan ahead, and keep reading:

So you have your podcast topic in mind, now you’ll need a name for your show. 

Make sure that it’s catchy, simple, unique and also represents what your podcast will be about. 

I know this seems like a lot, but trust me if you want your podcast to be successful you’re going to need to put in some work… but don’t worry, it’s mostly fun work! 🙌 

Next you need to figure out what the format of your podcast will be.

Will you be hosting interviews, will your friend co-host with you, or will you simply be recounting stories on your own. 

Any of these are great, but make sure you know ahead of time so you can plan accordingly. 🔮 

For example, finding a co-host or getting another microphone and headphones kit, if you’re planning on having guests. 

If you do plan to have guests, you also need to decide if they will come to the studio with you, or if you want to conduct the interview on Zoom or Skype. 💻 

Before recording your podcast:

This is where you might want to grab a pen and piece of paper because there’s a lot to do to prepare. 📝 

And something to think about, are you going to record your podcast with a video camera? 

It would be nice content for your social media or if you decide to start a Youtube channel… but maybe you want to keep it just as audio for now. 👂 

Let’s start with one of the more important parts: your budget. 💲

Determine your budget from the beginning, taking into account how many episodes you will produce each month, how many microphone and headphone kits you’ll need, etc. 

You’ll also need to consider which accessories are important for you to have in your starter kit, and of course, how the price will affect your budget. 

Because each person may want to have different accesories within their podcast starter kits. 🧰 

After you have the financial side taken care of for now, you can move onto the more technical side. 🎛️ 

So write out your equipment list and go get all your podcast starter kit gear! 🛍️ 

Podcast starter kit equipment:

Now it’s time to set up your studio! Wherever you decide to record…

Mics, headphones, and cables, oh my! 🦁 🐯 🐻 

It can be tempting to have equipment and accessories that are the best of the best, but keep in mind that there are lots of products for a more affordable price that are perfect for starting out! 

Or maybe you want to buy equipment at a super low price? Just remember that the quality of your audio recording could reflect that. ⚠️ 

But should you buy a microphone and headphone set separately, or maybe look into some packages of both? XLR or USB? Dynamic or condenser?

You’re probably unsure which headphones and microphone is best, but keep reading to hear some great starter options for your podcasting setup! 

I’m going to recommend a microphone and a set of headphones: 

This equipment is what I believe will work well for your first podcast starter kit. I’ll also tell you about a great podcast bundle that might spark your interest. 💥 

There are a lot of options when it comes to podcasting gear and accessories for your recording studio setup: microphones, headphones, mic stands, an audio interface, a sound mixer, a shock mount, a boom arm… woah, let’s slow down a bit. 

Keep in mind that over time the more of a pro you become, the easier it will be to determine which gear and accessories work best for you and your budget. 

And if you decide to monetize your podcast (more on this later) then over time you can get more podcasting equipment for your studio that may have a higher price than what you want to pay now. 

And be sure to check out the Ausha blog for more articles about finding the right equipment for your podcast. With all different price ranges and budgets you can find the right microphone and headphone set for you. 😄 

Microphone:

There are so many mics to choose from, and it is probably the most important piece of equipment in your setup… 

The microphone that I suggest for your podcast starter kit is the Audio Technica ATR2100x-USB. 🎤

It’s a dynamic mic, not a condenser mic and can be used for all different types of audio recordings. 

The main difference with a dynamic mic versus a condenser mic is that a condenser mic is more sensitive to sound, so it could be better in a proper studio. But being that you’re just starting out, a dynamic mic will do the trick in whichever “studio” space you have created. 🛋️ 

It offers a USB-C digital output and also an XLR analog outlook so that it fits everyones’ needs, even if you’re not a pro… yet. 

What’s the difference between a USB output microphone and an XLR output microphone?

A USB output can plug directly into your computer, while an XLR output will need to go into an audio interface which is then plugged into your computer. 💻 

The USB option can be better if you don’t want a lot of cables, or if you aren’t comfortable with more gear in your setup yet, like an interface. 

This Audio Technica mic is very versatile and has a great price for the sound quality that it records. 

The microphone that I chose also includes a headphone jack so that you can plug your headphones straight into the mic to hear what you’re recording… talk about raising your podcasting game! 

This microphone also comes with multiple cables that allow you to connect to a USB-C or USB-A port, which is perfect for every kind of setup. 

With over 4 stars as a rating ⭐  it costs $99.00 in most places, making the quality of this microphone good for its price and versatility.  

It’s also a great mic for starting out because it’s simple so you won’t have different cables all over the place. 

Keep in mind there are many microphones out there, but you’ll find one that will be the perfect match for your podcasting needs. 💕 

Headphones:

When recording audio to use for podcasting, good quality mics aren’t the only key part. 

You need good quality headphones as well to make sure that you can listen to your recordings with the best quality to find any unwanted sounds that will need to be edited out. 

Now for the headphones for your podcast starter kit, I have chosen the Audio Technica ATH-M30x. 🎧 

They have a frequency range of 15-20,000 Hz and 96dB for their sensitivity level. 

They are durable headphones that offer high-quality sound, on a budget.

These headphones also offer high-value for their price, which is usually around $69.99 and offers 4.6 stars in terms of audio quality. ⭐ 

The ATH-M30x headphones are the best for when you start in your make-do studio, because they provide excellent sound isolation when recording your podcast. 

They also offer a headphone jack connection so you can plug them straight into your computer without losing any quality, and without the price going through the roof! Can it get any better! 🤜🤛 

Next in the kit: Accessories

There are also some accessories for recording that you’ll need for your podcast starter kit to go with your mics. 

The first is something to hold your microphone. There are many stands that you could try, or a boom arm could be a nice choice as well. 💪 

Microphone stands are essential to your setup because if a person moves too much, the quality of the recording would go down. Also your arm would get very tired after recording for a while… 

Note: The microphone that we have chosen for our podcast starter kit comes with a desk mic stand included in its accessories bundle so that’s a great option to try! 

Shock mount

A shock mount holds your mic and reduces vibrations and other sounds that could disrupt your audio recording, but it’s not really necessary in your starter kit, but could be something to think about in the future. 

One shock mount that could work with the mic that we recommended is the Audio Technica AT8415 shock mount. It has almost 4.5 stars ⭐ and costs $59.00 if you want to try it out! 

Pop filter

A pop filter is another bonus to have among your recording setup. This will make your recording clearer and help your mic avoid capturing sounds of air popping from your mouth. 🤭 If you’re going to buy any accessories, it should be this one!

Again, it’s not really necessary at the debut of your podcast but would greatly improve the quality of your show. 

You can get a pop filter on Amazon that is compatible with most mics for around $10 with almost 5 stars. ⭐

Audio interface

An audio interface is necessary if you have an XLR microphone because the audio needs to be able to get into your computer… which is essentially the job of the audio interface. 

If you choose a USB mic like the one that we suggested (it actually has USB and XLR 😁), then you don’t need an audio interface. 

To finish up the kit:

If you decide to record your podcast with a video camera you’ll also need one of those of course! 📹 

And don’t forget unless you know a person who is willing to stand there and hold the camera, you’ll need to look at video camera stands too… 

Or if you want to keep your setup more simple, just use your phone and set it up on a tripod, which you can get for about $20 on Amazon with almost 5 stars as well… so easy! ⭐ 

Make sure it’s on airplane mode though so your recording doesn’t get interrupted by a phone call! 📞 

If you want to add sound effects to your show, a sound mixer is a great option too, but one that might be best used when you’re more of a pro! 

Unless you have the budget for it now, then go for it! But know that it’s not essential for your podcast starter kit. 

A sound mixer can also be good if you have lots of guests because you can adjust the different mics when recording. 🎛️ 

All this gear may seem like a lot but it will add quality to your podcast. And it all works well for live podcasting too! 

To make it simple – find a podcasting bundle:

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the podcasting equipment that you need for your recording studio, the best option for you, convenience and price wise, is to look into podcasting kits. 

These podcasting packages will usually include a mic, headphones, and a boom arm to hold your mic. 

Some may also include other accessories like a pop filter and a shock mount, but the price will reflect that so keep it in mind. 🏷️ 

Bundles are a great option when you want to find good gear for the right price. 

One bundle that could be great to start off with is the Rode NT-USB mini microphone kit. 

Ideal for one person doing the podcasting, it comes with a USB mic, headphones, and a desktop boom arm for $109.99. 

It has a rating of 4.5 stars ⭐, making it one of the best starter packages for your studio setup. 

This condenser mic has an internal windscreen, meaning that a pop filter isn’t as important for this mic as it is for others.  

It also connects straight to your computer with a USB and not an XLR so you don’t need an audio interface. 

And you can save money on mic stands because the boom arm can be clamped right onto your table, so you can use it easily no matter where your studio is! 🏡 

And in the future if you decide to grow your podcast and add guests to your show, you can connect up to 4 Rode NT-USB mini microphones together for a podcasting panel. 

Also, because it’s a dynamic mic, it will capture your sound clearly and not have it interrupted by the other person speaking next to you. 

You can easily connect the 4 microphones to your computer, again, without an interface, saving you time, money, and having cables going everywhere. 

But be sure to look around for other great gear packages that are available out there too! 

You’ll also need: Recording and editing software

After you have your recording equipment you’ll need to download a recording and editing software. 🖥️ 

I recommend Audacity for Windows or Mac and GarageBand for Mac only. 

Both the Audacity software and Garageband software are free and let you record and edit the audio for your podcast. 

And of course you’ll need a computer that can support editing software… most of you probably already have one that will work, or at least to get you started. 

You’ll need a podcast cover, 🖼️ music for your intro and outro, 🎶  a show description, and to choose a podcast hosting platform of course! (We know you’ll make the right choice and choose Ausha 💜) 

For your podcast cover:

Make sure that your podcast cover goes with the theme of your podcast and that it represents your show and what you talk about! For example, if you have a very serious podcast topic, don’t have a bright and cheerful podcast cover. And vice versa. 

For your podcast music:

Your music should go with the tone of your podcast. 🎼. You also want to make sure that the music is unique to your show, so that when your audience hears it they know what it is and get excited to hear your new content. 

For your show description:

The description for your show should be to the point about the topic of your podcast but also should spark an interest in those that read it. 

It’s very important to make sure that your show description is accurate and precise because it will appear on the podcast listening platforms, on your website, and maybe even on your social media, so take the time to do it right! ⌚ 

More things to consider:

Specify the colors and fonts for your podcast so that you can use this theme throughout all of your content. 🎨 

Before you get too far into everything regarding recording, make sure that you make a list of 15 to 20 more precise subtopics that you can base your episode subjects on for your show. 📋 

This is helpful because if you can’t even write 15 to 20 topics down, how are you going to be able to keep recording episodes in the future? 

This could discourage you and make you lose your motivation to keep producing podcasts… not good, not good at all. 😥 

At this time, also determine your podcast episode length ⏱️ and the frequency with which you will release episodes. 

Include a production schedule in your starter kit as well. It can contain your recording, editing, and distribution times. 🗓️ 

Podcast episode length:

The length of each episode should be around the same time for each one. But if you have more to say sometimes you could break it into a few parts, or have longer “special” episodes. 

Podcast episode frequency:

You don’t have to release your episodes super often, just as long as it’s consistent so that your listeners will know when your next episode will be out. 🗣️ 

You can choose to distribute your podcast monthly, every two weeks, weekly, or daily, just as long as it works with you and your schedule. 

Tip: If you start off with a release schedule that turns out to not work for you, change it! Just be sure to tell your audience so they can keep up! 

Final steps before recording:

Create social media pages like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn for your new show, and start to market the upcoming release of your newest episode. 📱 

This will get people excited to hear your new show, ultimately growing the size of your audience. 

And last but not least, test your audio equipment. 🎙️ 

This is a crucial step: to make sure that everything is working properly, do a few test recordings before starting the real thing.

What a buzz kill that would be if you were all excited and then nothing recorded… 

While recording your podcast:

If you have decided to have a guest on your show, make sure that they are comfortable, either in the studio or virtually. 

When you hit the record button, don’t stop along the way, even if you mess up. 🛑 

That’s what editing is for, to fix your mistakes later after your recording process is over. 

And when you’re recording, try to sound as natural as possible. 

This means that if you have a script, don’t read off of it like a robot, 🤖  practice it and try to make sure that you sound like you’re talking to your friends. 

After recording your podcast:

Edit your audio files in your editing software… remember, the ones I mentioned earlier. 

Upload the edited audio file to Ausha and prepare to have it distributed. 

Continue to market your podcast on social media throughout this whole process. 📣 

Tip: You can even release small parts of the audio as teasers to your followers before you release the whole episode.  

After you’ve uploaded it to Ausha, you can distribute it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many more listening platforms. ➡️ 

How can Ausha help?

Ausha offers many features on one convenient platform where you can upload your podcast, distribute it, and market it. 🤩 

With Ausha you can turn your podcast audio file into a video, and add generated waveforms to make it stand out! 🌊

Then you can upload the video to Youtube from your Ausha account directly. 

You can also make shorter videos and in a stories format that work perfectly for Instagram or your other social media! 

To make your life even easier, you can generate automatic transcriptions which can serve as subtitles in your videos. 

This transcription can also be used to write a blog post because you’ll have a lot of the content already written, saving you a lot of time! ⏳ 

With Ausha you can also keep track of any ad campaigns that you’re a part of, if you’ve decided to monetize your podcast. 💰 

Monetizing your podcast:

If you want to monetize your podcast you’ll need to reach out to companies that will have a similar target market to your podcast audience.  

If they’ve agreed to partner with you for a campaign, you can put all the details into the Ausha platform, and upload the audio directly to be put into your episodes. 

You even have the option to play the ad at the beginning (pre-roll) or end (post-roll) of your show, or to have a host-read ad which is in the middle of the episode and will be recorded during your podcast recording. ⬅️ ⬇️ ➡️ 

Ausha’s Social Media Manager:

The Social Media Manager on Ausha will hopefully become your new best friend, and something you can’t live without! 👯‍♀️ 

There are so many features within it that can help with marketing your podcast, and very easily too! 

The features include: 

Website: 🖥️

You have the ability to activate your podcast’s website on Ausha, and then everything is done for you!

You can choose the colors for your website so they match your podcast theme and then Ausha will create it for you. 

Newsletter: 💌

The newsletter feature allows you to see the subscriber list for your podcast.

Super handy when sending out your next newsletter! 

Smartlink: 🔗

The Smartlink allows your audience to click the link and be able to listen to your podcast on their preferred listening platform. 

You can post it on your website, in your newsletter, or in your Instagram bio.

SmartPlayer: ⏯️

The SmartPlayer is a feature that lets you embed your podcast episode somewhere. For example, in your blog!

Social Media: 📱

Finally, within the Social Media Manager you can schedule social media posts for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

This will save you lots of time and you can even post the content that you’ve created on Ausha’s platform. (For example, the video clips) 

Marketing your podcast:

Use the Ausha Social Media Manager to market and grow your podcast! 📈 

Tip: If you have a guest on your show, ask them to post about it on their social media as well, to increase your new episode’s discoverability. 

You can also post stories, reels, and host live videos to promote your podcast. 

What to do next:

Keep up with the statistics of your podcast on Ausha! 📊 

You can check your number of downloads per episode, on which device and platform people are listening to your podcast, and where your audience is listening geographically.  

Check on your statistics to see which episodes have the most downloads so that you can continue to create content that your audience will like. 👍 

Maintaining your podcast:

Stick to the schedule that you’ve created… there’s a reason that you made it. 

Keep up the frequency of your podcast… consistency is key. 🗝️ 

Stay motivated! 💪 

Continue to talk about topics that interest you so that you will want to create new episodes and maintain the regularity of your show. 

To sum up:

This podcast starter kit has everything you need to know regarding the gear, marketing, and setup to launch your first show and help you become a real podcaster! 😃 

There are many options when choosing a microphone and headphone set, so be sure to read reviews and find the right one for you, your budget, and your podcast starter kit needs. 

A higher price does not always mean better quality, so don’t break the bank on audio equipment. Because you can probably find equipment with similar quality but for a better price. ⚠️ 

Ausha has many amazing features that allow you to start and grow your podcast to gain a larger audience. 💜 

And while we know there are many other podcast starter kits out there we hope that you have found this one helpful! 😊 

So you’ve decided to read our podcast starter kit… I guess that means you’re interested in starting your own podcast? 

Great idea! And you’ve definitely come to the right place to learn everything you need to know to become a pro! 

We’re going to help you find all the gear you’ll need to complete your podcast setup. 

You’ve just had an amazing idea for a podcast subject. That’s great! But now you’re maybe thinking, what’s next? 🤔

You began researching podcast starter kits… that’s a good place to start! And we’re very happy that you’ve decided to read ours! You won’t regret it! 😊 

This starter kit will help you determine all the fine details you need to launch your podcast and how to keep it up over the long run. 🏃‍♀️ 

First things first: ☝️

Don’t think that recording into a microphone is the first thing to do. 🙅‍♀️ 

Yes, it’s certainly important, but if you want to put stars in the eyes (or in our case the ears) of your audience, take your time, plan ahead, and keep reading:

So you have your podcast topic in mind, now you’ll need a name for your show. 

Make sure that it’s catchy, simple, unique and also represents what your podcast will be about. 

I know this seems like a lot, but trust me if you want your podcast to be successful you’re going to need to put in some work… but don’t worry, it’s mostly fun work! 🙌 

Next you need to figure out what the format of your podcast will be.

Will you be hosting interviews, will your friend co-host with you, or will you simply be recounting stories on your own. 

Any of these are great, but make sure you know ahead of time so you can plan accordingly. 🔮 

For example, finding a co-host or getting another microphone and headphones kit, if you’re planning on having guests. 

If you do plan to have guests, you also need to decide if they will come to the studio with you, or if you want to conduct the interview on Zoom or Skype. 💻 

Before recording your podcast:

This is where you might want to grab a pen and piece of paper because there’s a lot to do to prepare. 📝 

And something to think about, are you going to record your podcast with a video camera? 

It would be nice content for your social media or if you decide to start a Youtube channel… but maybe you want to keep it just as audio for now. 👂 

Let’s start with one of the more important parts: your budget. 💲

Determine your budget from the beginning, taking into account how many episodes you will produce each month, how many microphone and headphone kits you’ll need, etc. 

You’ll also need to consider which accessories are important for you to have in your starter kit, and of course, how the price will affect your budget. 

Because each person may want to have different accesories within their podcast starter kits. 🧰 

After you have the financial side taken care of for now, you can move onto the more technical side. 🎛️ 

So write out your equipment list and go get all your podcast starter kit gear! 🛍️ 

Podcast starter kit equipment:

Now it’s time to set up your studio! Wherever you decide to record…

Mics, headphones, and cables, oh my! 🦁 🐯 🐻 

It can be tempting to have equipment and accessories that are the best of the best, but keep in mind that there are lots of products for a more affordable price that are perfect for starting out! 

Or maybe you want to buy equipment at a super low price? Just remember that the quality of your audio recording could reflect that. ⚠️ 

But should you buy a microphone and headphone set separately, or maybe look into some packages of both? XLR or USB? Dynamic or condenser?

You’re probably unsure which headphones and microphone is best, but keep reading to hear some great starter options for your podcasting setup! 

I’m going to recommend a microphone and a set of headphones: 

This equipment is what I believe will work well for your first podcast starter kit. I’ll also tell you about a great podcast bundle that might spark your interest. 💥 

There are a lot of options when it comes to podcasting gear and accessories for your recording studio setup: microphones, headphones, mic stands, an audio interface, a sound mixer, a shock mount, a boom arm… woah, let’s slow down a bit. 

Keep in mind that over time the more of a pro you become, the easier it will be to determine which gear and accessories work best for you and your budget. 

And if you decide to monetize your podcast (more on this later) then over time you can get more podcasting equipment for your studio that may have a higher price than what you want to pay now. 

And be sure to check out the Ausha blog for more articles about finding the right equipment for your podcast. With all different price ranges and budgets you can find the right microphone and headphone set for you. 😄 

Microphone:

There are so many mics to choose from, and it is probably the most important piece of equipment in your setup… 

The microphone that I suggest for your podcast starter kit is the Audio Technica ATR2100x-USB. 🎤

It’s a dynamic mic, not a condenser mic and can be used for all different types of audio recordings. 

The main difference with a dynamic mic versus a condenser mic is that a condenser mic is more sensitive to sound, so it could be better in a proper studio. But being that you’re just starting out, a dynamic mic will do the trick in whichever “studio” space you have created. 🛋️ 

It offers a USB-C digital output and also an XLR analog outlook so that it fits everyones’ needs, even if you’re not a pro… yet. 

What’s the difference between a USB output microphone and an XLR output microphone?

A USB output can plug directly into your computer, while an XLR output will need to go into an audio interface which is then plugged into your computer. 💻 

The USB option can be better if you don’t want a lot of cables, or if you aren’t comfortable with more gear in your setup yet, like an interface. 

This Audio Technica mic is very versatile and has a great price for the sound quality that it records. 

The microphone that I chose also includes a headphone jack so that you can plug your headphones straight into the mic to hear what you’re recording… talk about raising your podcasting game! 

This microphone also comes with multiple cables that allow you to connect to a USB-C or USB-A port, which is perfect for every kind of setup. 

With over 4 stars as a rating ⭐  it costs $99.00 in most places, making the quality of this microphone good for its price and versatility.  

It’s also a great mic for starting out because it’s simple so you won’t have different cables all over the place. 

Keep in mind there are many microphones out there, but you’ll find one that will be the perfect match for your podcasting needs. 💕 

Headphones:

When recording audio to use for podcasting, good quality mics aren’t the only key part. 

You need good quality headphones as well to make sure that you can listen to your recordings with the best quality to find any unwanted sounds that will need to be edited out. 

Now for the headphones for your podcast starter kit, I have chosen the Audio Technica ATH-M30x. 🎧 

They have a frequency range of 15-20,000 Hz and 96dB for their sensitivity level. 

They are durable headphones that offer high-quality sound, on a budget.

These headphones also offer high-value for their price, which is usually around $69.99 and offers 4.6 stars in terms of audio quality. ⭐ 

The ATH-M30x headphones are the best for when you start in your make-do studio, because they provide excellent sound isolation when recording your podcast. 

They also offer a headphone jack connection so you can plug them straight into your computer without losing any quality, and without the price going through the roof! Can it get any better! 🤜🤛 

Next in the kit: Accessories

There are also some accessories for recording that you’ll need for your podcast starter kit to go with your mics. 

The first is something to hold your microphone. There are many stands that you could try, or a boom arm could be a nice choice as well. 💪 

Microphone stands are essential to your setup because if a person moves too much, the quality of the recording would go down. Also your arm would get very tired after recording for a while… 

Note: The microphone that we have chosen for our podcast starter kit comes with a desk mic stand included in its accessories bundle so that’s a great option to try! 

Shock mount

A shock mount holds your mic and reduces vibrations and other sounds that could disrupt your audio recording, but it’s not really necessary in your starter kit, but could be something to think about in the future. 

One shock mount that could work with the mic that we recommended is the Audio Technica AT8415 shock mount. It has almost 4.5 stars ⭐ and costs $59.00 if you want to try it out! 

Pop filter

A pop filter is another bonus to have among your recording setup. This will make your recording clearer and help your mic avoid capturing sounds of air popping from your mouth. 🤭 If you’re going to buy any accessories, it should be this one!

Again, it’s not really necessary at the debut of your podcast but would greatly improve the quality of your show. 

You can get a pop filter on Amazon that is compatible with most mics for around $10 with almost 5 stars. ⭐

Audio interface

An audio interface is necessary if you have an XLR microphone because the audio needs to be able to get into your computer… which is essentially the job of the audio interface. 

If you choose a USB mic like the one that we suggested (it actually has USB and XLR 😁), then you don’t need an audio interface. 

To finish up the kit:

If you decide to record your podcast with a video camera you’ll also need one of those of course! 📹 

And don’t forget unless you know a person who is willing to stand there and hold the camera, you’ll need to look at video camera stands too… 

Or if you want to keep your setup more simple, just use your phone and set it up on a tripod, which you can get for about $20 on Amazon with almost 5 stars as well… so easy! ⭐ 

Make sure it’s on airplane mode though so your recording doesn’t get interrupted by a phone call! 📞 

If you want to add sound effects to your show, a sound mixer is a great option too, but one that might be best used when you’re more of a pro! 

Unless you have the budget for it now, then go for it! But know that it’s not essential for your podcast starter kit. 

A sound mixer can also be good if you have lots of guests because you can adjust the different mics when recording. 🎛️ 

All this gear may seem like a lot but it will add quality to your podcast. And it all works well for live podcasting too! 

To make it simple – find a podcasting bundle:

If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the podcasting equipment that you need for your recording studio, the best option for you, convenience and price wise, is to look into podcasting kits. 

These podcasting packages will usually include a mic, headphones, and a boom arm to hold your mic. 

Some may also include other accessories like a pop filter and a shock mount, but the price will reflect that so keep it in mind. 🏷️ 

Bundles are a great option when you want to find good gear for the right price. 

One bundle that could be great to start off with is the Rode NT-USB mini microphone kit. 

Ideal for one person doing the podcasting, it comes with a USB mic, headphones, and a desktop boom arm for $109.99. 

It has a rating of 4.5 stars ⭐, making it one of the best starter packages for your studio setup. 

This condenser mic has an internal windscreen, meaning that a pop filter isn’t as important for this mic as it is for others.  

It also connects straight to your computer with a USB and not an XLR so you don’t need an audio interface. 

And you can save money on mic stands because the boom arm can be clamped right onto your table, so you can use it easily no matter where your studio is! 🏡 

And in the future if you decide to grow your podcast and add guests to your show, you can connect up to 4 Rode NT-USB mini microphones together for a podcasting panel. 

Also, because it’s a dynamic mic, it will capture your sound clearly and not have it interrupted by the other person speaking next to you. 

You can easily connect the 4 microphones to your computer, again, without an interface, saving you time, money, and having cables going everywhere. 

But be sure to look around for other great gear packages that are available out there too! 

You’ll also need: Recording and editing software

After you have your recording equipment you’ll need to download a recording and editing software. 🖥️ 

I recommend Audacity for Windows or Mac and GarageBand for Mac only. 

Both the Audacity software and Garageband software are free and let you record and edit the audio for your podcast. 

And of course you’ll need a computer that can support editing software… most of you probably already have one that will work, or at least to get you started. 

You’ll need a podcast cover, 🖼️ music for your intro and outro, 🎶  a show description, and to choose a podcast hosting platform of course! (We know you’ll make the right choice and choose Ausha 💜) 

For your podcast cover:

Make sure that your podcast cover goes with the theme of your podcast and that it represents your show and what you talk about! For example, if you have a very serious podcast topic, don’t have a bright and cheerful podcast cover. And vice versa. 

For your podcast music:

Your music should go with the tone of your podcast. 🎼. You also want to make sure that the music is unique to your show, so that when your audience hears it they know what it is and get excited to hear your new content. 

For your show description:

The description for your show should be to the point about the topic of your podcast but also should spark an interest in those that read it. 

It’s very important to make sure that your show description is accurate and precise because it will appear on the podcast listening platforms, on your website, and maybe even on your social media, so take the time to do it right! ⌚ 

More things to consider:

Specify the colors and fonts for your podcast so that you can use this theme throughout all of your content. 🎨 

Before you get too far into everything regarding recording, make sure that you make a list of 15 to 20 more precise subtopics that you can base your episode subjects on for your show. 📋 

This is helpful because if you can’t even write 15 to 20 topics down, how are you going to be able to keep recording episodes in the future? 

This could discourage you and make you lose your motivation to keep producing podcasts… not good, not good at all. 😥 

At this time, also determine your podcast episode length ⏱️ and the frequency with which you will release episodes. 

Include a production schedule in your starter kit as well. It can contain your recording, editing, and distribution times. 🗓️ 

Podcast episode length:

The length of each episode should be around the same time for each one. But if you have more to say sometimes you could break it into a few parts, or have longer “special” episodes. 

Podcast episode frequency:

You don’t have to release your episodes super often, just as long as it’s consistent so that your listeners will know when your next episode will be out. 🗣️ 

You can choose to distribute your podcast monthly, every two weeks, weekly, or daily, just as long as it works with you and your schedule. 

Tip: If you start off with a release schedule that turns out to not work for you, change it! Just be sure to tell your audience so they can keep up! 

Final steps before recording:

Create social media pages like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn for your new show, and start to market the upcoming release of your newest episode. 📱 

This will get people excited to hear your new show, ultimately growing the size of your audience. 

And last but not least, test your audio equipment. 🎙️ 

This is a crucial step: to make sure that everything is working properly, do a few test recordings before starting the real thing.

What a buzz kill that would be if you were all excited and then nothing recorded… 

While recording your podcast:

If you have decided to have a guest on your show, make sure that they are comfortable, either in the studio or virtually. 

When you hit the record button, don’t stop along the way, even if you mess up. 🛑 

That’s what editing is for, to fix your mistakes later after your recording process is over. 

And when you’re recording, try to sound as natural as possible. 

This means that if you have a script, don’t read off of it like a robot, 🤖  practice it and try to make sure that you sound like you’re talking to your friends. 

After recording your podcast:

Edit your audio files in your editing software… remember, the ones I mentioned earlier. 

Upload the edited audio file to Ausha and prepare to have it distributed. 

Continue to market your podcast on social media throughout this whole process. 📣 

Tip: You can even release small parts of the audio as teasers to your followers before you release the whole episode.  

After you’ve uploaded it to Ausha, you can distribute it to Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and many more listening platforms. ➡️ 

How can Ausha help?

Ausha offers many features on one convenient platform where you can upload your podcast, distribute it, and market it. 🤩 

With Ausha you can turn your podcast audio file into a video, and add generated waveforms to make it stand out! 🌊

Then you can upload the video to Youtube from your Ausha account directly. 

You can also make shorter videos and in a stories format that work perfectly for Instagram or your other social media! 

To make your life even easier, you can generate automatic transcriptions which can serve as subtitles in your videos. 

This transcription can also be used to write a blog post because you’ll have a lot of the content already written, saving you a lot of time! ⏳ 

With Ausha you can also keep track of any ad campaigns that you’re a part of, if you’ve decided to monetize your podcast. 💰 

Monetizing your podcast:

If you want to monetize your podcast you’ll need to reach out to companies that will have a similar target market to your podcast audience.  

If they’ve agreed to partner with you for a campaign, you can put all the details into the Ausha platform, and upload the audio directly to be put into your episodes. 

You even have the option to play the ad at the beginning (pre-roll) or end (post-roll) of your show, or to have a host-read ad which is in the middle of the episode and will be recorded during your podcast recording. ⬅️ ⬇️ ➡️ 

Ausha’s Social Media Manager:

The Social Media Manager on Ausha will hopefully become your new best friend, and something you can’t live without! 👯‍♀️ 

There are so many features within it that can help with marketing your podcast, and very easily too! 

The features include: 

Website: 🖥️

You have the ability to activate your podcast’s website on Ausha, and then everything is done for you!

You can choose the colors for your website so they match your podcast theme and then Ausha will create it for you. 

Newsletter: 💌

The newsletter feature allows you to see the subscriber list for your podcast.

Super handy when sending out your next newsletter! 

Smartlink: 🔗

The Smartlink allows your audience to click the link and be able to listen to your podcast on their preferred listening platform. 

You can post it on your website, in your newsletter, or in your Instagram bio.

SmartPlayer: ⏯️

The SmartPlayer is a feature that lets you embed your podcast episode somewhere. For example, in your blog!

Social Media: 📱

Finally, within the Social Media Manager you can schedule social media posts for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. 

This will save you lots of time and you can even post the content that you’ve created on Ausha’s platform. (For example, the video clips) 

Marketing your podcast:

Use the Ausha Social Media Manager to market and grow your podcast! 📈 

Tip: If you have a guest on your show, ask them to post about it on their social media as well, to increase your new episode’s discoverability. 

You can also post stories, reels, and host live videos to promote your podcast. 

What to do next:

Keep up with the statistics of your podcast on Ausha! 📊 

You can check your number of downloads per episode, on which device and platform people are listening to your podcast, and where your audience is listening geographically.  

Check on your statistics to see which episodes have the most downloads so that you can continue to create content that your audience will like. 👍 

Maintaining your podcast:

Stick to the schedule that you’ve created… there’s a reason that you made it. 

Keep up the frequency of your podcast… consistency is key. 🗝️ 

Stay motivated! 💪 

Continue to talk about topics that interest you so that you will want to create new episodes and maintain the regularity of your show. 

To sum up:

This podcast starter kit has everything you need to know regarding the gear, marketing, and setup to launch your first show and help you become a real podcaster! 😃 

There are many options when choosing a microphone and headphone set, so be sure to read reviews and find the right one for you, your budget, and your podcast starter kit needs. 

A higher price does not always mean better quality, so don’t break the bank on audio equipment. Because you can probably find equipment with similar quality but for a better price. ⚠️ 

Ausha has many amazing features that allow you to start and grow your podcast to gain a larger audience. 💜 

And while we know there are many other podcast starter kits out there we hope that you have found this one helpful! 😊