- Pick a clear topic and audience before buying equipment.
- Good sound needs a decent microphone and a quiet room, not expensive gear.
- Publish through a podcast host, which sends your show to the main apps.
The short answer
A podcast is a series of audio episodes that people can subscribe to. To start one, you need a clear idea, a microphone, a quiet place to record, simple editing software and a hosting service that distributes your episodes. You can begin with a phone and a small budget. What keeps a podcast alive is consistency and a clear purpose.
Step 1: Plan the show
- Topic: choose a subject you can talk about for many episodes, such as music careers, local stories or a hobby.
- Audience: picture one listener and who they are.
- Format: solo, co-hosted, interviews or storytelling. Interviews need booking and preparation.
- Length and schedule: choose something you can keep up, such as a 20 to 30 minute episode every week or two.
- Name and artwork: pick a short, clear name and a square cover image. Apple Podcasts accepts square artwork between 1400 and 3000 pixels, and 3000 by 3000 is a common choice.
Step 2: Equipment on a budget
| Item | Budget option | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Microphone | USB microphone or a dynamic microphone | Dynamic microphones pick up less room noise |
| Headphones | Closed-back wired pair | Prevents sound leaking into the recording. See how to choose headphones. |
| Pop filter and stand | Cheap foam cover and desk stand | Reduces harsh “p” sounds and handling noise |
| Space | Small, soft room with curtains, a bed or a wardrobe | Hard rooms create echo |
| Software | Audacity, GarageBand or similar | Free or low cost |
If you start with only a phone, hold it steady near your mouth in a quiet room, then upgrade once you are sure you will continue.
Step 3: Record well
- Record in the quietest place and time you can. Turn off fans, phones and notifications.
- Keep the same distance from the microphone, about a fist or two away.
- Do a short test recording and listen back before the real one.
- Speak naturally, and keep a simple outline instead of reading every word.
- Record the best music or intro separately, and use only audio you have the right to use.
A note on music and copyright
Playing a popular song in your podcast without permission can lead to takedowns. Use your own music, music you have a licence for or royalty-free tracks with clear terms. Our guide on how to protect your music copyright explains the basics of ownership.
Step 4: Edit simply
- Remove long pauses, repeated mistakes and background noise.
- Balance volume between speakers.
- Add a short intro and outro.
- Export as an MP3 at a sensible quality. Many spoken shows use about 96 to 128 kbps.
- Save the project and back it up. See how to back up your phone and laptop.
Step 5: Publish and distribute
You do not upload a podcast directly to each app. Instead, you upload episodes to a podcast hosting service, which creates an RSS feed, the web address that apps read. Many hosts exist, including Spotify for Creators, which has a free option. After you create the show, submit your feed to Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other directories. New episodes then appear automatically. Check each host’s terms and pricing before you choose.
Step 6: Promote the show
- Share short audio or video clips on social media. Learn how to take better photos with your smartphone for episode photos.
- Invite guests, who will share the episode with their audience.
- Ask listeners to follow, rate and share.
- Add the show link to your bio and website.
- Use how to build an artist brand and fanbase ideas to grow a loyal audience.
Quick checklist
- Choose topic, audience and format
- Get a decent microphone and a quiet space
- Record a test before every episode
- Edit lightly and back up files
- Use only music you have rights to
- Publish through a podcast host and submit your feed
Key points to remember
Start small, publish regularly and improve as you go. Your first episodes will not be perfect, and that is normal. Consistency builds both skill and audience.
