How to Start a Podcast: Complete Beginner's Guide
Starting a podcast has never been easier. Whether you want to share your expertise, build a community, or grow your business, this guide will walk you through everything you need to launch your podcast successfully.
What You Need to Start a Podcast
Essential Equipment
Microphone - Your most important investment. Options for every budget:
- Budget ($50-100): Audio-Technica ATR2100x, Samson Q2U
- Mid-range ($100-250): Shure MV7, Rode PodMic
- Professional ($250+): Shure SM7B, Electro-Voice RE20
Headphones - Closed-back headphones for monitoring:
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
- Sony MDR-7506
- Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro
Optional but helpful:
- Pop filter to reduce plosives
- Boom arm for microphone positioning
- Acoustic treatment for your recording space
Recording Software
Free options work great for beginners:
- Audacity - Free, cross-platform
- GarageBand - Free for Mac users
- Anchor - Free mobile recording
Professional options:
- Adobe Audition - Industry standard
- Descript - AI-powered editing
- Hindenburg - Designed for podcasters
Podcast Hosting
You need a podcast hosting platform to store your audio files and generate your RSS feed. Dispatch offers:
- Unlimited storage and bandwidth
- Automatic distribution to all major platforms
- Built-in analytics and listener insights
- Free podcast website
Planning Your Podcast
Choose Your Topic and Format
Ask yourself:
- What am I passionate about?
- What expertise can I share?
- Who is my target audience?
- What format works best? (Solo, interview, co-hosted, narrative)
Name Your Podcast
Your podcast name should be:
- Memorable and easy to spell
- Descriptive of your content
- Unique (search existing podcasts first)
- Not too long (aim for 2-4 words)
Design Your Cover Art
Requirements for most directories:
- Minimum 1400x1400 pixels
- Square format (1:1 ratio)
- JPEG or PNG format
- Readable at small sizes
Recording Your First Episode
Prepare Your Content
- Create an outline (don't script word-for-word)
- Research your topic thoroughly
- Prepare talking points, not a full script
- Have notes handy but don't read them
Recording Tips
- Find a quiet space with soft surfaces
- Position your microphone 4-6 inches from your mouth
- Speak clearly and at a consistent volume
- Record a test segment and listen back
- It's okay to make mistakes—you can edit later
Editing Basics
Focus on removing:
- Long pauses and "ums"
- Background noise
- Mistakes and false starts
- Anything that doesn't add value
Keep your intro under 30 seconds and get to the content quickly.
Launching Your Podcast
Upload to Your Host
- Export your audio as MP3 (128-192 kbps)
- Log into your Dispatch dashboard
- Create your show and add episode details
- Upload your audio file
- Add show notes with timestamps and links
Submit to Directories
Get listed on all major platforms:
- Apple Podcasts (largest directory)
- Spotify (fastest growing)
- Amazon Music / Audible
- Google Podcasts
- And 15+ more platforms
Dispatch makes this easy with one-click submissions for most directories.
Promote Your Launch
- Announce on social media
- Tell friends and family
- Email your existing audience
- Ask for reviews and ratings
- Be a guest on other podcasts
Growing Your Podcast
Consistency is Key
- Publish on a regular schedule
- Same day and time each week
- Don't sacrifice quality for quantity
- Build anticipation with your audience
Engage Your Listeners
- Respond to comments and messages
- Ask for feedback and topic suggestions
- Create a community (Discord, Facebook group)
- Feature listener questions in episodes
Track Your Progress
Monitor your analytics to understand:
- Download trends over time
- Which episodes perform best
- Where your listeners are located
- How they're finding your show
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overcomplicating your setup - Start simple and upgrade later
- Waiting for perfection - Launch now, improve as you go
- Inconsistent publishing - Stick to your schedule
- Ignoring audio quality - Good sound matters more than expensive equipment
- Not promoting - Great content needs promotion to be discovered
Ready to Start?
Starting a podcast is an exciting journey. Don't let perfectionism hold you back—the best time to start is now.
Create your free Dispatch account and launch your podcast today.