Episode Summary: Part 1 of a 2-part guide to setting up and launching a podcast — the planning and pre-launch decisions, and the exact gear (plus budget alternatives) needed to get recording.

What You'll Learn

• The full 17-step overview of launching a podcast, split across 2 episodes
• The first 10 planning and pre-launch steps, from committing to choosing a DAW
• Mike's exact studio gear list, with real prices
• Budget gear alternatives for anyone just getting started

How to Set Up or Launch a Podcast: The Overview

• Planning your show (this episode)
• Gear & production (this episode)
• Media hosting & website (Part 2)
• Launching your podcast (Part 2)
• Marketing & promotion (Part 2)

Podfest Multimedia Expo 2017: February 23–25, 2017, in Orlando, Florida. Podfest.us

The Steps (Part 1): Planning & Pre-Launch

Step 1 — Start. Commit to starting a podcast and don't overthink it.

Step 2 — Time. Is there genuinely room in the work/life schedule to produce a podcast consistently? If yes, move forward.

Step 3 — Why? Get honest about the real reason and goal behind starting.

Step 4 — Topic & audience. Know the topic, and visualize the target audience clearly.

Step 5 — Format. Solo show or interview-style? How long will episodes run?

Step 6 — Title. What's the show called?

Step 7 — Domain. Buy the domain name and start thinking through a website to house the show.

Step 8 — Artwork & branding. Cover art, headshots, promo photos, and a general visual identity are all needed.

Step 9 — Gear. Buy the equipment: dynamic microphone, audio interface/mixer, swivel boom arm, headphones.

Step 10 — DAW. Decide on a digital audio workstation for recording and editing (Adobe Audition, GarageBand, Audacity, etc.).

Mike's Gear List

• Microphone: Shure SM7B
• Audio interface: Allen & Heath ZED 10 Mixer
• Headphones: Sony MDR-7506
• Boom arm: Rode PSA-1
• DAW: Adobe Audition

More Gear Options (Budget-Friendly)

Microphone: Rode Procaster, Shure SM58, Audio-Technica ATR2100 Gain boost: Cloudlifter Audio interface: Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 Headphones: Audio-Technica ATH-M50x

Read the complete show notes and resources on mikemurphy.ai.

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