These are some of my go-to materials and tools when it comes to podcasting. All of the tools that are mentioned here are ones that I have either used recently or in the past, and I strongly suggest using them.

I divided them into categories to make it easier for you to discover everything you need, including podcasting resources, website resources, and graphics and video resources; nevertheless, the majority of podcasters will use all of them at some time in their careers.

Resources For Your Podcast

Podcast Hosting

You will need to find a business that specializes in podcast hosting in order to have your podcast hosted there.

You’ll find below my three top choices, but if you want to find out which podcast hosting service is ideal for you, you can also complete the Podcast Hosting Quiz.

Buzzsprout

Buzzsprout is a terrific company to work for since they prioritize simplicity and design in their products. Unquestionably the top podcast presenter for the vast majority of listeners (and what I use after trying many of them).

Transistor

Transistor gives you the ability to present an unlimited number of distinct shows for one flat rate, which begins at only $19 per month.

This ought to be a good match for you, whether you own a brand or a little company.

Simplecast

Simplecast has just released an upgrade to their whole platform, which included a number of brand-new capabilities and a completely redesigned user interface. They provide great features for both their team and their podcast network, as well as comprehensive statistics and an easy distribution system to the locations where people listen.

Podcast Gear

We have a lot of information on podcasting gear, so we’ll just highlight a few of our favorites in this section.

Microphones

Entry-level: Audio-Technica ATR 2100x-USB

Pro level: Shure SM7B (pair with a Cloudlifter CL-1 for the best results)

USB Interface

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (3rd Gen)

Mixer

Mackie PROFX8V2

Podcast Software

This section features software that may be used for a variety of purposes related to podcasting, including recording and editing audio, recording phone conversations, developing introductions, and transcribe shows, among other things.

Adobe Audition

Adobe Auditon is included in the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite; however, it is also available as a stand-alone product.

When it comes to editing, it may help you save a significant amount of time because to its many strong and helpful features.

Iris

Iris is capable of recording video and audio in high definition for a group of up to nine individuals.

Simple price structure and user-friendly interface!

Squadcast

While it comes to preventing quality problems when attempting to film remote interviews, Squadcast will be your closest ally. There is a little fee involved, but the benefit of not having to repeat an interview is immeasurable.

Audacity

Free and available for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, Audacity is a powerful audio editing tool. Ideal for getting things started with.

Auphonic

Your audio files will be mastered automatically by Auphonic, ID3 tags will be added, and the files will be sent to your podcast provider all in one step. You have the ability to establish presets with the parameters that you choose, making it possible to edit the specifics of your episodes in under a minute. Strongly suggested as an option.

Ecamm Skype Recorder

Using Ecamm’s Call Recorder for Skype, it is the simplest and most convenient method for recording Skype conversations and interviews. Mac only.

PremiumBeat

PremiumBeat is an excellent resource for locating music that may be used into your presentation.

They offer a fantastic search function that allows you to locate any kind of atmosphere or sound that you are searching for.

Music Radio Creative

Getting professional introductions, closings, jingles, advertisements, and just about everything else you want is really simple when you use Music Radio Creative.

Rev

Rev is a transcribing service that costs $1.50 per minute for human transcription and has an average delivery time of 5 hours for completed projects. They will transcribe several speakers as well as a variety of accents at no additional cost, in contrast to certain other businesses that will charge additional fees for these functions.

Podcast Course & Memberships

If you want to learn how to podcast and are interested in enrolling in a course or joining a membership site, the following are a couple of my favorites:

Power-Up Podcasting

The Power-Up Podcasting training course, created by Pat Flynn, is a comprehensive, step-by-step podcast training course that will assist you in developing and launching a podcast in a successful manner.

Pat Flynn is the proprietor of Smart Passive Income, which includes a very successful podcast, blog, and other components.

Podcasters’ Paradise

Podcasters’ Paradise is an online community as well as an educational resource devoted to podcasting in its many forms.

Resources For Your Website

Domain Names

Because you have greater control over the domain name and because it helps avoid a “single point of failure,” it is my personal preference to buy my domain names from a dedicated domain seller rather than obtaining one free with my hosting package.

Namecheap

When you buy a domain name from Namecheap, you automatically get free Whois privacy protection. Both the rates and the service are quite reasonable.

Name.com

Name.com is a bit more expensive than Namecheap, but they are located in Colorado, which is where I reside, and I like to patronize businesses that are locally owned and operated.

Website Builder

Podcastpage

Podcastpage is much more than simply a website hosting service. It is a website builder that was developed exclusively for podcasters so that they may quickly and simply have a website up and running (think Shopify but for podcasts instead of e-commerce).

I actually have a simple example page that you may look at, but if you want to see multiple themes and previews, as well as modifications that are continuously being made, I would suggest looking at the homepage instead.

You may connect a variety of services, such Google Analytics to find out who visits your website, MailChimp and ConvertKit to encourage people to join up for your email list, and many more.

Elementor

The WordPress page builder plugin known as Elementor has received widespread praise. The fact that you can create on the front end (using a WYSIWYG-style interface) and that it is free to get started are two of its most appealing features.

Explore each and every one of these features now. They make it very obvious what features are included in the free edition vs the premium version.

Website Hosting

Even if the majority of podcast servers include a simple website with their service, you should still host your website separately in my opinion.

Bluehost

Bluehost is a well-known web hosting business that simplifies the process of getting started online to an incredible degree.

Kinsta

The WordPress host that we use is called Kinsta.

They also just released entry-level plans that feature a free CDN, which makes it a great deal for websites of any size. They provide outstanding service and are widely considered to be among the industry’s finest WordPress hosting providers. Before you make changes to your website on the live server, you may quickly transfer it to a staging server beforehand.

WordPress Themes

Check out the page on our site that is devoted to WordPress themes for podcasting, or have a look at the following few choices.

StudioPress Genesis Themes

There is a plethora of high-quality themes available for selection from StudioPress. They are all mobile-responsive, quick, secure, and simple to personalize, and they come with thorough instructions on how to set them up.

They provide a good variety of e-commerce themes that are compatible with WooCommerce and are meant to be utilized with that platform.

Email Marketing

The most effective approach to communicate with your audience and inform them about new episodes is to send them an email. You may also use it to inform people about the goods and services that you provide, as well as about any special deals that you may be running.

In order to contact users who have signed up for your website, you will need to use an email service provider. The first two businesses on this list are my top picks:

ConvertKit

You can simply segment your audience with ConvertKit depending on where they opt-in, what they click on in your emails, or any other method you wish. This is one of the many reasons why ConvertKit is so fantastic.

Because of this, you will only be able to send relevant emails to those who have shown interest in receiving them, which will result in increased interaction. In addition to that, they come with an opt-in form and a WordPress plugin.

AWeber

Podcasters have access to a wealth of tools and automation options provided by AWeber.

They provide you with a large number of free stock photographs that you are free to use, as well as hundreds of email themes that will make your emails appear amazing, and much more.

OptinMonster

OptinMonster is not an email service provider like many of its competitors. It links to your email service provider and allows you to gather email addresses on your website. You use it to do this (like the 2 above). After trying a number of various opt-in services, I can confidently say that this particular company provides the greatest one.

Social Tools

Social Warfare

The most effective social sharing plugin for WordPress is called Social Warfare. I have used a few other ones, but the capabilities that come included with Social Warfare definitely set them apart from the competition. In addition, it loads really quickly and will not slow down your website in any way, unlike many of their rivals.

Buffer

The social media scheduling and sharing application known as Buffer enables users to connect numerous accounts simultaneously. They offer a fantastic Chrome extension in addition to applications for both iOS and Android, all of which make it really simple to add new material to your social queue.

WordPress Plugins

These WordPress plugins don’t really fit into the other categories, but they are all very useful.

WPForms

With WPForms, you can easily design amazing forms on your website. There are a few other businesses that provide similar services, but this group is fantastic, and their platform is really simple to work with.

MonsterInsights

The installation of Google Analytics on your website is made to be very simple by MonsterInsights. You are not required to utilize MonsterInsights; however, if you have less experience with technology or are looking for a simple approach to enable more complex features, using MonsterInsights is the way to go.

WordFence

These days, website security is of the utmost importance, and if you install WordFence, you’ll be able to monitor the number of attempts that are made by other parties to get into your website (usually with the intent to insert spam). The free version is wonderful and will certainly assist in preventing unwanted visitors from accessing the site, but upgrading to the commercial version grants access to extra security that is continuously updated.

Buffer is a social media scheduling and sharing program that gives users the ability to connect many accounts all at once. They provide a terrific Chrome extension in addition to apps for both iOS and Android, all of which make it incredibly easy to include fresh content in your social queue.

Graphic & Video Resources

Even if you have a podcast, you still need to create images and videos to accompany your content.

At the absolute least, you’ll need podcast cover art, graphics for social media, and featured pictures for each episode of your podcast.

When you have guests on your show, it is great to give them visuals that have been pre-created and are simple to distribute so that you may extend your audience. The simpler it is for someone to do something, the higher the probability that they will do it!

Shutterstock

There are a lot of other sites that provide stock photos, but my favorite one is Shutterstock; you should check it out!

99designs

99Designs is a website that operates similarly to a contest in which numerous designers compete with one another to gain your business. You will spend a fair amount of money for items of excellent quality.

This is an excellent method for designing the cover graphics for your podcast and giving it an expert appearance.

Wavve

Wavve is a great program that can convert the audio of your podcast into video clips that may be shared. This makes it simple to tease episodes and is an excellent approach to bring attention to your post in the congested social media feeds where it would otherwise get lost.

Canva

Canva makes it simple for you to design graphics for use on social networking platforms, websites, and other places. They provide a large number of pre-set templates that may serve as excellent jumping off places.

Screenflow

Screenflow is an excellent program that is really simple to use and learn how to use, and it can capture anything you see on your computer screen. Mac only.

Business Resources

These are the tools and software that I use myself and suggest to others who are podcasting as part of their company or as a business in its own right.

Quickbooks Online

There is a good reason why Quickbooks Online is the accounting program that is considered the industry standard.

Quickbooks Self-Employed is an excellent option for those who are just getting started in self-employment.

Gusto

Gusto is by far the most user-friendly payroll solution available.

They will do all the necessary calculations and filings for your federal and state taxes instantly.

In addition to that, they offer a fantastic link with Quickbooks, which makes managing things a lot more expedient.

Transferwise

Transferwise is an international banking service that provides its users with the relevant local bank information in a number of different countries.

They also offer the lowest currency conversion rates everywhere in the world, which means that if you need to pay contractors in other nations, it will be a lot less expensive for you to do so.

Robinhood

This is more of a private matter than a professional one, but if you start to experience some success with your podcast, investing in the market is a fantastic opportunity to put your money to work for you and grow it further.