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Essential Podcasting Tools: From Starting Your Show to Growing Your Audience

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Ready to start or grow your podcast? This list features essential tools for beginners and intermediate podcasters, from microphones and editing software to hosting and promotion tools. Curated with care by a podcast enthusiast, these resources will h...

Some of these are affiliate links, where I get a small commission if you decide to purchase the item. These links don't impose any extra cost on you.
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Top Microphones

 
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Pro-level sound with USB and XLR options. Perfect for podcasters ready to step up their audio game. (I have its predecessor, the MV7.)
Shure MV7+ Podcast Microphone
 
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The classic choice! Easy setup and great sound, perfect for beginners who want to sound professional.
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
 
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An affordable mic that gives you both USB and XLR. Great sound without the hefty price tag.
ATR2100x-USB - Audio-Technica

Best Audio Editing Tools

 
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My current go-to. Free and powerful! Perfect for beginners looking to get hands-on with editing without any costs.
Audacity ® | Free Audio editor, recorder, music making and ...
 
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Super intuitive, especially for Mac users. If you’re starting a podcast, this is a solid option with no added costs. I use it to edit music and sound effects for my podcast.
GarageBand for Mac - Apple
 
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Once you’re ready to level up your editing, Adobe Audition offers pro-level tools to fine-tune every detail.
Adobe Audition - Audio recording and editing software

Reliable Hosting Services

 
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My current host. Free hosting with great analytics. If you’re just starting, this is an easy, no-cost platform to get your show on the air.
Spotify for Creators: Tools to manage and grow your podcast
 
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A user-friendly platform with a solid free plan for beginners. If you need more features, their paid plans are affordable as your podcast grows.
Buzzsprout: Free Podcast Hosting
 
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A tried-and-true service for podcasters. If you’re looking to grow your show, Libsyn gives you all the tools you need with great analytics.
Libsyn Podcasting | The Best Podcast Hosting Platform

Easy Recording Software

 
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Perfect for remote interviews. Easy to set up and get started, though the 40-minute limit on free calls can be a bit tricky.
Zoom: One platform to connect
 
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A natural choice if using Spotify for Creators (like I am). Great for remote recording with high-quality sound and video. The free plan is a great start, but I recommend the paid one as you grow.
Riverside: HD Podcast & Video Software | Free Recording ...
 
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A smooth recording experience with high-quality audio. If you’re recording interviews remotely, SquadCast is a great option.
SquadCast - The Remote Recording Studio That Your ...

Promotion Tools

 
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Easy design tool for creating professional-looking artwork and promotional content (and my personal favorite). Plus, the free plan has tons of great templates!
Canva: Visual Suite for Everyone
 
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Create awesome audiograms and video clips for social media. The free plan is perfect for getting started and sharing your podcast.
Headliner - Promote your podcast, radio show or blog with video
 
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Great for creating dynamic, engaging video content. Once you're ready to take your podcast promo up a notch, Express's premium features are worth the investment.
Adobe Express | Free Design, Photo, and Video Tool

Track Your Growth

 
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Super simple to use, and it gives you clear metrics to track your podcast's growth and audience reach.
Podtrac
 
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Provides great listener insights and episode performance tracking. If you want to dig deeper into your audience, this is a solid tool.
Podcast Analytics Done Right - Castos
 
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A powerful analytics tool to help you monitor your podcast’s performance and audience insights. Plus, it’s free to get started!
Ausha - All-in-One Platform to Grow your Podcast

Monetize Your Show

 
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If you’ve got a dedicated fanbase, Patreon is the way to go. It lets you offer exclusive content and earn while you grow your podcast.
Patreon
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Libsyn Ads helps you monetize by connecting you with relevant advertisers. A great way to start earning once you have a steady audience!
Libsyn Ads | Podcast Advertising Network
 
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Perfect for turning your podcast into a subscription service with premium content. If you’re looking to monetize through memberships, this is the tool to try.
Supercast is podcast subscription that's made for podcasters