Overview
Starting a podcast is simpler than most people think. The barrier isn't technical — it's decisional. This guide cuts through the options and gives you a clear, practical path from zero to published in one sitting. Some links in this guide are Amazon affiliate links; if you purchase through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What You Need
- A USB microphone (Audio-Technica ATR2020 or similar)
- Audacity (free) or GarageBand (free on Mac)
- A podcast hosting account (Buzzsprout, Captivate, or Transistor)
- A quiet room
Steps
Choose a specific topic and audience
The most common mistake is picking a topic that's too broad. Don't make a podcast about "business" — make one about "running a one-person creative studio." A specific focus attracts loyal listeners faster than a wide net. Write one sentence describing exactly who the show is for and what they'll leave each episode knowing.
Pick your format
Solo commentary, co-hosted conversation, or interview? Solo is easiest to start — no scheduling, no guests, no split audio files. Keep early episodes under 20 minutes. You can always add a co-host or interview format once you've built the habit of recording consistently.
Get a microphone
You do not need an expensive mic to start. The Audio-Technica ATR2020 (~$80), Samson Q2U (~$60), or even the Blue Snowball (~$50) will produce listener-acceptable audio. Plug directly into USB, skip the audio interface for now. The room matters more than the mic — treat the space first.
Record your first episode
Open Audacity, set your sample rate to 44100Hz, record in mono (one track). Speak 6–8 inches from the mic at a slight angle to avoid plosives. Your levels should peak between −12dB and −6dB. Record a full episode without stopping to edit — finish, then fix. Use our Voice Over Recorder to make sure your levels are in good shape before you commit to a full take.
Edit and export your audio
Cut long pauses and any restarts. Apply noise reduction if needed, then compress (Threshold: −18dB, Ratio: 3:1). Normalize to −16 LUFS using Audacity's Loudness Normalization effect. Export as MP3 at 128kbps mono — this is the right quality/size balance for voice.
Choose a podcast host and publish
Your podcast host stores your audio files and generates the RSS feed that directories subscribe to. Buzzsprout and Captivate are beginner-friendly. Upload your episode, add show notes, set a publish date. Your host will provide an RSS URL.
Submit to directories
Submit your RSS feed to Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts Connect, Amazon Music/Audible, and Pocket Casts. Most directories review within 24–48 hours. After approval, new episodes appear automatically — you only submit once per directory.
Pro Tips
- Record three episodes before launching — publish them all at once to give new listeners something to binge.
- Your podcast artwork must be at least 1400×1400px (3000×3000 recommended) in JPG or PNG format.
- Use our Podcast Distributor Selector to find the right hosting platform for your budget and goals.