So, you want to start a podcast? Well, you’ve come to the right place! As a podcast manager and marketing strategist, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of the tech, tools, and programs behind making a podcast.

Rather than letting you find the right fit through trial and error, I want to share what goes into the best podcast start kit for beginners. 

Please Note: This blog post may include affiliate links, meaning that if you click through a link and purchase a product, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Building Your Podcast Starter Kit

Did you know the average cost to start a podcast is between $100 and $5,000? Luckily, with my recommendations, you won’t be spending $5k — and you may even get out less than $100 depending on your microphone — but remember that quality is an important factor, so don’t skip on a good mic if a podcast is something you’re passionate about.

This is a true podcast starter kit; we’re only looking at the essentials you need to start your podcast. In this case, a microphone, podcast host, editing software, and the actual launch of your podcast:

You can also get all my favorite recommendations by downloading my free Podcasting Starter Guide here.

#1. Pick a Microphone (and Headphones)

You don’t need the world’s most advanced microphone when you’re starting out — instead, aim for a good quality mic that fits in your budget; any plugin is better than your computer!

My recommendation if you’re aiming for something under $100 is the Samsung Q2U; it has great sound quality and is easy to use for beginners.

If you’re looking for something with a little bit better quality and around $100, I recommend the Blue Yeti. It’s a legendary podcasting mic and will adapt to your podcast as you grow!

You will need headphones to use with your microphone. Start with a set that plugs in to reduce the chances of connection issues!

#2. Find a Podcast Host

There are hundreds of podcast hosting platforms; don’t get shiny object syndrome! Instead, focus on one that fits your current needs and allows you to continue to grow. Podbean is great for this as it offers a free, basic Podcast Starter plan but also has multiple tiers you can upgrade to in the future. 

Alternatively, you can opt for Captivate — another high-quality podcast hosting platform. You’re going to commit to podcasting long-term, you’re going to want at least the first paid tier to benefit from their features. 

#3. Choose an Editing Software

My favorite is Descript because it allows you to edit your podcast via transcript and publish it straight from their app. They offer a free monthly plan with one export/month and 1 transcription hour/month. After that, their lowest plan is $15/month (although I highly recommend it, it’s what I use for myself and my clients).

Descript also recently merged with Squadcast, which allows seamless video and audio recoding at the same time — bringing a whole new level to guest podcasting (but we’ll talk about all the benefits of bringing video into your podcast another time; I just wanted to give it a mention here).

My second favorite is Audacity; it’s a forever free-to-use editing software — but it’s solely an editing software, not a transcription service or publisher.

#4. Plan Your Podcast

It’s not a tool to buy or a program to download, but one of the first things you should do when creating your podcast starter kit is plan your launch — at least, the essentials like your first podcast episodes and show name.

I’m all for launching a podcast, but I also believe that you should have a purpose in mind, and planning your podcast as part of your starter kit checks it off your list!

How to Start Your Podcast

You have your gear, you’re ready to edit, and you’ve planned your show — now it’s time to hit “record” and share it with your audience (unless you’re launching a podcast with no audience, then you might want to read this). 

Record and publish as you go or batch your episodes; either way, you’re officially starting your podcast! Share all the best things your audience has been waiting to hear. If you need any help with planning, editing, publishing, or repurposing your podcast episodes, fill out this form and let us know — we may be just what you need to grow!