The first thing you should be clear about is the goal you are looking to achieve when embarking on this adventure and that it is relevant to you. Inspire, make people laugh, share knowledge on a topic, debate, educate …? Fine-tune it as much as you can, because this motivation is what will drive you to keep going when you feel like getting little or nothing at it. Something that will surely happen, as with any initiative. The initial enthusiasm fades and reappears, but it takes enough push to get it going.
In addition to the purpose, you must clarify other essential aspects, such as the profile of the audience, your image or a description of the program with which to convince potential stakeholders. Stopping to identify these keys will not only help you attract followers more easily, but it will also help you function with clearer ideas. Get to know them in more detail here.
Once the ideas are defined, the next thing is to get down to work. But what material do you need?
Mobile apps
There are some apps with which to create a podcast from your own mobile. It is undoubtedly a convenient and fast option with which you can start doing it in a matter of seconds.
Many of them are quite complete in their free versions. They offer a recording of half an hour, at least, in which you can edit, add sounds and share the program directly on social networks. To know the statistics, yes, you will have to subscribe to the paid version.
In terms of quality, smartphone microphones have evolved – and continue to do so – so they can be heard well; do not think that the audio is going to be defective because it comes from the phone. However, it will sound better if you have a specific device for it.
Here are the materials you need to create a professional podcast.
Microphone
It is one of the essential devices in any studio and its function is to capture sound. There are them with different extra elements, such as a flexible arm to adjust them to your position or a sound layer to make it cleaner.
Audio capacitor
This device is used to improve audio quality. Minimize loud sounds and simplify voice waves to make them more understandable. In some microphones -like the one in the image above- it is included.
Is it necessary to purchase it? It depends on the degree of perfection you want to achieve with your program.
Headphones
It is recommended to use headphones to avoid unwanted external noise. In the case of recording studios, they also use it to communicate with the production team, which adds the music, bursts and sounds.
Editing software
Where can the podcast be edited? There are various computer programs dedicated to this. The most popular for beginners is Audacity, which is very easy to use. Other more complex ones are also used, such as Adobe Audition, which incorporates more advanced functions in its paid version.
Sound Effects Console
It is a device to add sounds during recording, which also allows you to program them. In the studios, they are managed by the filmmakers from their booth to introduce applause, laughter, phrases, songs …
It is necessary? It is an optional material that, depending on the type of content you offer, will interest you or not.
Video camera
Finally, a video camera. What sense can one of these have to create a podcast, whose channel is the audio and where there is no image?
More and more radio programs appear in video version and the YouTube phenomenon has a lot to do with it. The platform reaches record audience figures, in part due to the YouTubers, who are more and more established, since seeing the interlocutor adds extra information for the recipients. The visual is very powerful and this is something that you can consider when creating your podcast. Opening a channel on YouTube or other video apps may be a good idea.
If you choose to do so, it is best to use a professional camera for recordings, not a computer webcam, whose quality and capabilities are more limited.
Listen to other content
Having seen everything, we advise you to nourish yourself with other programs to know what is being done at the moment, what you like and whatnot, what you can improve … Although iTunes and iVoox are the most famous, there are many other applications where you can listen to podcasts, each one with its advantages. On the other hand, if you have the Movistar Home smart device, you can access a wide catalogue of entertainment podcasts for free from your television, thanks to the iVoox integration.