5 Essential Podcast Tools every Podcaster should be using

If you’re new to the world of podcasting, it can be easy to talk yourself out of getting started before you even begin. Fortunately, there are plenty of podcast tools that will help you take those first steps.

Figures show that podcasting is reaching new heights, with podcast creation surging 27% last year. There are now more than 800,000 active podcasts with over 54 million episodes worldwide. The ad value of the medium is expected to exceed $1 billion in 2021. So, you would be crazy to miss out, right?

Podcasting may seem complex, but the reality is that starting a podcast is incredibly straightforward. Master the basics and then you can add levels of complexity later on.

Just make sure you start with a well-thought-out plan and decide on your topic or niche. Then choose a name, purchase the domain, then devise your episode format. Once you’ve performed all these steps, you will be ready to get started.

This is where you need to have the proper toolkit which can sound expensive. But the best news is that podcast tools cater to a range of budgets and there are plenty of free ones out there that will help you get your podcast off the ground.

If you are new to the exciting world of podcasting, here are our recommendations for essential podcast tools that will set you off on your path to the perfect podcast:

Design

First impressions count. So, it makes sense that your podcast logo will play an important role in the future success of your podcast. Great cover art will encourage potential listeners to press play.

Canva is a great tool to use in the designing process. It’s very simple and versatile. What makes it even better is that you can start using it for free!

Check out: Canva

Editing

Editing may seem terrifyingly technical, but the reality is that with the right tool, it can be a piece of cake.

There are a number of free editing tools like Pro Tools, Audacity and GarageBand that provide the perfect starting point.

You can look at more advanced software as your podcasting skills improve.

Check out: Pro Tools

Online interviewing

Chances are you will want to include an interview in your podcast from time to time or even on a more regular basis.

Interviews are a great way of digging deep into your subject matter and expanding your audience.

Most people have a Skype account, so this is an easy option, but you’ll need to invest in a recording program. Other tools like Squadcast enable you to connect and record in the same place, with emphasis on audio quality.

Check out: Squadcast

Transcriptions

If you have a text version of your podcast, you can easily repurpose the content into blog posts and articles making you extremely efficient.

It also means your podcasts become more accessible and searchable. That will improve SEO which will help build your audience.

If people like what you’re saying, they will also be able to quote you more easily – also good for maximising your reach. Find out more about building a podcast audience from scratch here.

Check out: Otter.ai

Analytics

Want to find out if you were on the right track with your first few podcasts? This is where chart analytics and marketing attribution tools come in.

With the data they provide, you will be able to enhance your podcasts so that you get discovered, stay on top of feedback and grow your audience.

Track your rankings, see your latest reviews and ratings – knowledge is power!

Check out: Podkite