Episode Summary: How much does it actually cost to start and maintain a podcast? A full gear-and-software cost breakdown, tier by tier, plus why scripting beats winging it almost every time.
What You'll Learn
- A full gear cost breakdown: mics, mixers, interfaces, headphones, cables, and more
- The software and web services needed to actually run a podcast
- Recurring monthly costs beyond one-time gear purchases
- Why scripting (in some form) beats free-form conversation almost every time
Ask Mike Anything: Scripting Podcasts
Question: What's the take on scripting podcasts?
Answer: This show gets scripted in a conversational style. Preparation is the key to a good episode — whether that means a full script, an outline, or bullet points depends on personal style, but free-form conversation rarely produces a good result. Skipping preparation is, in most cases, disrespectful to the audience — listeners give up a real chunk of their day to tune in, and it's the host's job to deliver value rather than waste that time. Bottom line: prepare for every episode the way you'd prepare for a speech or presentation. Ever sat through a presentation where the speaker was clearly winging it? Painful, right?
The Cost of Starting a Podcast
Gear
Full lists live on the Mike Murphy Co Amazon Store
Microphones:
Mixers ($200+):
- Mackie ProFX8 or a Yamaha model are both solid recommendations; the mixer used here is an Allen & Heath ZED 10
Audio interfaces (~$250):
Headphones (under $100):
Boom arm (~$100):
Cables (~$50+):
Webcam (~$75):
Optional:
Speakers:
Read the complete show notes and resources on mikemurphy.ai.
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