The Best Podcast Tools for Beginners
You have a lot of options when it comes to podcast microphones, media hosts, and other podcasting gear, software, and services. It can be overwhelming…and hold you back from starting your show, which is why I’m sharing my favorite podcasting tools and resources with you here.
Some of these links are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and services that I know will benefit my podcast students, and sometimes I’m able to get you a discount. Yay!
Here are quick links to what I love and use. If you want to read why, keep scrolling for explanations below.
Microphone – Samson Q2U
Headphones – Senal SMH-1000 Closed-Back Professional Monitor Headphones
Podcasting course – Podcast Launch Academy
Podcast editing software – Descript
Podcast media host – Buzzsprout (you need a media host to get your podcast in players). Sign up for hosting using this link and you’ll get a $20 Amazon gift card when you pick a paid plan.
Remote recording software – Squadcast
Podcast logo design / graphics – Canva
Podcast music – Filmstro
Website – Squarespace
Email service provider – ConvertKit
Private podcast host – Hello Audio
Calendar to book pod guests – Tidycal
Trainings to grow on social media – Savvy Social School
Course creation platform – Kajabi
Best podcast microphones
There are several different kinds of mics you can buy. For podcasting, your best bet is a dynamic mic with a cardioid polar pattern, which just means where the microphone is picking up sound. This kind of mic picks up sound mostly from the front and a little on the sides, which is what you want for your podcast. You don’t want your mic picking up sounds from the other room or outside.
I recommend the Samson Q2U, which is great for home use and also travel because it can take a beating and is less likely to pick up sounds of you handling the mic (if you’re doing ‘on the scene’ reporting, rather than having your mic in a stand, which is usually best).
This mic can be plugged directly into your computer via USB. It usually comes with a mic stand and a foam windscreen to put over the mic head to prevent plosives, which are the harsh wind sounds we make on the mic when we say words that start with ‘p’ and ‘b.’ Put your hand over your mouth and say the word ‘purple pigtails’ and you’ll see what I mean.
The Samson Q2U will meet all your podcasting needs. However, some podcasters like to splash cash, and, to be honest, the more you get into podcasting, the more fun it is to buy new gear that you probably don’t need. If you’re curious about what pod junkies consider best-in-class mics, they are: Heil PR40, Shure SM7B, and Rode Procaster. These are excellent mics, but are they hundreds of dollars better? You can try them out and be the judge, but I’d stick to my original recommendation, at least to start.
Best headphones for editing podcasts
When you’re recording, the headphones you use aren’t that big of a deal, but when you’re editing and mixing your audio, you want to wear studio monitor headphones so you can hear the audio in its purest form. I use the Senal SMH-1000 Closed-Back Professional Monitor Headphones.
Noise-canceling headphones will distort the way you hear the recording because they cancel the high and low frequencies. Other kinds of headphones add bass and compress audio. So choose studio monitor headphones to accurately listen.
Senal SMH-1000 Closed-Back Professional Monitor Headphones
Best podcast media host
Wondering how to get your podcast into Apple Podcasts? You need a podcast media host and my favorite is Buzzsprout.
Here’s how it works, you sign up with a host and they create an RSS feed for your show. You submit that feed to directories like Apple Podcasts. Once approved, you don’t have to submit to directories again. You will publish your episodes on your podcast media host, and the podcast directories will pull your new content from your RSS feed and let people know new episodes are available.
After getting to know the Buzzsprout team over this last year, I’ve moved my podcasts over to their platform. Their customer services is ace, they have great pricing, and their hosting site is clean and easy to understand. They really care about creators and actually use their feedback to make improvements to their service.
Best private podcast service
Maybe you don’t want everyone to hear your podcast. If you’re looking to create an exclusive audio experience, try Hello Audio.
Private podcasting is great for course creators, coaches, and other people who want to start a show for their paying clients.
You might also want to create a free pop-up podcast to lead up to your product launch. So many options!
Best software for recording remote podcast interviews
If you’re recording with a remote guest, that is, you are in one place and your interviewee is somewhere else, you’ll use software to capture the recording.
There are several ways to do this. Squadcast is a subscription-based service that’s available to both Mac and PC users. Your guest doesn’t need to download any software; they just click a link that you send them. And Squadcast records both sides locally, so even if you have a weak internet connection and your guest sounds a bit choppy to you, in the end the interview should sound fine because Squadcast is recording your guest on their side of the conversation (but try to always record with a strong wifi signal, or, better yet, hardwire the internet into your computer).
Best podcast editing software
Descript is a magical software that lets you edit your podcast like you would a Google document. You’re editing the visual transcript in addition to the audio waves. This is the best investment you’ll make in your podcast. And it’s now a video editor, too.
You can fully create your entire episode in Descript, and I show you how to do this in my podcasting course Podcast Launch Academy. I also include a huge bonus on how to edit using Adobe Audition.
Best podcasting course
Here’s what a student said about my course, Podcast Launch Academy:
“The information Sarah shares is not only clear and inspiring but concise. She so deeply knows her information - from experience of her own - that she cuts right to what you need to know... and you move forward toward the reason you bought the course in the first place -- creating a great podcast.”
It’s easy to get frustrated when you’re trying to figure out podcasting on your own. After all, it’s not like this is the only thing you have going on in your life. You’re busy! And if you spend too much time spinning your wheels trying to teach yourself, you’re more likely to abandon ship and get stuck wondering what might have been.
I designed Podcast Launch Academy to save you time and replace analysis paralysis with a roadmap designed to have your podcast launched in 60 days. No stress. No trial and error or second guesses. Just a solid, streamlined course to help you launch a podcast that will expand your influence, build your brand and business and, and connect you to your global community and customers.
Best software for planning your show and booking podcast guests
I keep track of all my podcast ideas, guests, and production workflow in Airtable, which is a spreadsheet x 1000. You can do so much with it. For example, I show my podcast students how to use Airtable to manage their editorial calendar for the year.
When it comes to booking your guests, I love Tidycal for podcast scheduling. Somehow it’s only $29 FOREVER – not every month. Get this deal while you still can. You can create an intake form for the guest to fill out before the interview, asking the for information like their bio, social media handles, and other info. Plus, your guest will get reminders before the interview.
Best email service provider
Building your email list is essential for strengthening your relationship with your audience. Communicating via email with your listeners helps them get to know you better, gives them a direct line to connect with you, and allows you to keep your biggest fans informed of new episodes, new products, and other things going on in your life. After trying other providers, I settled on ConvertKit because it’s so easy to use and let’s me create beautiful landing pages (that’s where people opt-in for a freebie in exchange for their email address) in minutes.
Best tools and services to create podcast art
If you want to DIY your podcast logo creation, Canva is your best option. I use this site every week to create art for blog posts, and I’ve designed several logos using their templates, which look rather snazzy if I do say so myself.
If you want to pay someone else to create your podcast assets for you, you can find someone on Fiverr or 99designs.
For animated promos, really like Adobe Spark for Instagram Stories and Wavve to create audiograms.
Best podcast music resources
Filmstro. My new favorite! I'm adding a lot more music to my podcast Citizens of the World and doing more solo episodes. Music keeps listeners engaged and ensures smooth transitions between segments. And Filmstro's library is filled with lush tunes, including ambient music, which is perfect for podcasts. It's also royalty free forever, meaning when you download music during your subscription, you can keep using it even when you end your subscription.
PremiumBeat. Here’s where you buy one-off tracks to use for your intros. I purchased my intro music to my travel podcast Postcard Academy here. You can select by genre or mood and narrow down from there. So much fun! Use code UAEIDSEI for 25% off your first track.
Best tools to help with social media and Pinterest to drive traffic to your site
Unfortunately, the whole ‘if you build it, they will come’ idea is not true. You could have the best podcast in the world, but if you don’t tell anyone about it, it will be hard for people to discover you.
My friend Andrea Jones, who’s a podcaster herself, founded the The Savvy Social School to help people who want to use social media to grow their audience, but not spend all day on it. She recently expanded to talk about all things marketing.
Best website platform for podcasters
If you’re using your podcast to promote your brand and business and you already have a website, your podcast can be incorporated into that. If you’re creating an online course or membership site on Kajabi, you can build your website on that platform.
If you’re looking to create a podcast, think about how much time you want to spend on it. I chose Squarespace for two sites because their templates are gorgeous and easy to use. No coding required! If you want a professional email address attached to your website, you can set that up in Squarespace with their G Suite integration.
Best way to create an online course so you can make money with your podcast
Traditional sponsorship is not a great deal for most podcasters. If you really want to make money with your podcast, your best bet is to promote your own products and services on your show. One way to do that is with an online course. But I wouldn’t create a course and a podcast all at once — one thing at a time!
When it comes to software, I love Kajabi for course creation. Their templates look professional and they’re easy to manage for both creators and users. They also offer email, landing pages, membership sites, and other necessities to run your online course business.
I built Podcast Launch Academy on Kajabi, and my students love it.