Your Podcasting Starter Kit

Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy," is the world’s leading female podcast on Spotify, which grew to global success in just a few years. Her guests range from former A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow to Bachelorette contestants. Despite this diverse lineup, she has consistently focused on one thing: building and nurturing a community of true believers: the 'Daddies'. In return, they have rewarded her with a lot of money. 

Podcasting has become mainstream, but knowing where to start, can be daunting. But even Alex had to start somewhere.

Luckily, it’s simple. Come closer… a little closer… JUST START!

🎙️ First things first: Basic equipment

• Ensure your audience can hear you, duh: Clear audio is critical. Plus, a big ‘ol mic just gives that stamp of legitimacy. So, if you only buy one thing, invest in a high-quality microphone like the USB-enabled Blue Yeti or the dynamic Shure SM7B for professional sound. But these can be pricey. This is also a good option on a budget.

• Headphones: Closed-back headphones, noise-cancelling if possible, are good for monitoring audio levels and detecting background noise.

• Recording software: Options like Audacity (free) or Adobe Audition (paid) offer excellent features for recording and editing your podcast in post-production. 

🎁 Nice to haves

An audio interface: For microphones requiring an XLR connection, such as dynamic mics, an audio interface like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is perfect for superior sound quality. But you don’t need this as a beginner.  

A pop filter and boom arm: A pop filter will minimise plosives (hard 'p' and 'b' sounds), and a boom arm will provide stability and adjustable positioning for your big ‘ol mic. Avoiding unpleasant noises from hitting your mic is preferred, but it’s not a dealbreaker. 

Do I need a studio to do my podcast? 

You don’t need to be 6'5 with blue eyes or have a trust fund to start a podcast; a professional studio isn't necessary when you're just starting.

Many successful podcasters begin in their homes using a quiet room with good acoustics.

Which platform do I use to host my podcast? 

After recording and editing, you need a platform to publish your podcast, here are some good options:

• Buzzsprout: Offers unlimited storage, detailed analytics, and tools for creating a podcast home aka a website.

• Riverside.fm: Known for its high-quality audio and video recordings.

• Anchor: Free hosting, straightforward analytics.

• Podbean: Unlimited bandwidth, customisable website options, and monetisation opportunities.

And in case you were wondering about Zoom, yes it can be useful for recording podcast episodes, especially with remote guests; however, it's not designed for podcast hosting, so you'll need a separate service to host and distribute your episodes.

💰 How to make money from your podcast

Alex Cooper's net worth, rumoured to be around $10 million, might seem lofty, but it's possible to earn good money from podcasting. So, if you want to grow your homemade podcast to a studio-grade success, read on…

Let’s talk subscription models. 

Patreon, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, Buy Me a Coffee, Spotify’s subscription platform, and Supercast deliver exclusive content or ad-free episodes to audiences. They all allow you to create tiered membership systems, giving your listeners access to a wide range of benefits:

• Patreon: Where podcasters can set up their own fan club tiers, offering everything from sneak peeks and exclusive episodes to full backstage passes.

• Apple Podcasts Subscriptions: Like the VIP lounge of podcasting - it offers tools for an ad-free experience, plus exclusive content and FROW seats to early episode releases, all directly through Apple Podcasts.

• Buy Me a Coffee: The virtual tip jar that keeps on giving. A straightforward platform where your audience can show their love with one-time or subscription-based contributions, unlocking special content and perks.

• Spotify: Rolls out the red carpet for subscribers with its exclusive service, where episodes drop like secret shows - ad-free and VIP-only.

• Supercast: Acts as a direct line between podcasters and their most devoted listeners, providing a storefront to sell exclusive content that fans can't get anywhere else.

This quick guide has covered the basics of podcasting. In the next one, I’ll look into strategies for finding guests, preparing them for episodes, motivating them to share the podcast with their network and how to go about building a community around your podcast.