So, you’ve thought of a fascinating topic, and you are ready to record your first podcast, but is that all you need? What do successful podcasters have in hand that makes them sound so exciting and connected with their audience?
Other than a microphone, there are various podcast tools that any podcaster can use to step up their game. By learning to edit a podcast, selecting and utilizing the right tools, you can capture your audiences’ attention and get your message out.
Perhaps you are too busy to stay up-to-date with new podcast production tools, or maybe you just stepped into the world of podcast production. Either way, don’t worry about a thing. Here you will find a list of the top 5 podcasting tools recommended by experts to help you become a hit!
Essential Podcast Tools
Do not rush into publishing your podcast as soon as you are done recording it. Now that you have the raw audio, it’s time to take advantage of editing tools and make your podcast more engaging before broadcasting to the public. People want to listen to a podcast that is not only informative and insightful but is also of high quality and well-edited.
You’ll need to add, remove, and mix your content, whether it’s a monologue to an interview or even a music track, using different applications; the specific app depends on the amount of money you’d like to spend and your overall aims. So, you need to learn about each digital audio workstation (DAW) and what they specialize in to be able to choose confidently.
Essential podcast tools are the apps or software that enable the editors to add or remove content after recording to maximize the podcast quality. Almost all of the tools enable podcasters to record and edit their podcast but in different qualities. Whilst many of these podcast editing tools are free, some may offer paid plans.
The features served by each tool differ slightly, so you need to find out which one fits your needs and budget best. Amongst all these tools, some are more popular because of their features, such as Adobe Audition, Audacity, Pro Tools, Garage Band and its advanced version Logic Pro, as they are more user-friendly and adaptable to most operating systems.
Audacity
The first well-known software for recording and editing podcasts is Audacity, which is designed for both beginners and experts. Many podcasters love it because it’s free (no in-app purchases needed), has sync-lock, and is compatible with almost every operating system, such as macOS, Windows, GNU/Linux, etc. Just keep in mind that it always has to be updated to its latest version so that you can use all the available features. Its sound quality is phenomenal, it has a user-friendly UI, and audios can be imported/exported in many different formats.
Adobe Audition
Podcasters love Adobe Audition’s ability to record multiple podcasts through various microphones at the same time. It also provides handy tools when it comes to mixing and creating tracks. It eliminates most background noises pretty well and provides you with fade-in or fade-out options along with simple volume control. What’s more, it offers a free seven-day trial, and its “single app” only costs $20.99 a month.
Garage Band
Garage Band is a user-friendly tool with an easy-access interface for Mac users that includes many pre-recorded background effects and music, enabling you to design and create a podcast with separate tracks. Garage Band gives Mac users special features free of charge and is compatible with both iPhones and iPads.
Logic Pro
This is a more advanced and full-featured version of Garage Band, with hundreds of plugins. It can filter your voice or add effects to make a unique hit. Even so, it’s just as easy to use as Garage Band. Logic Pro app has a full-featured free trial, and its life-time license costs $200; it is an incredible bargain!
Buzz Sprout
Perfect hosting options make Buzz Sprout of the most impressive podcast tools available on the market. It helps to follow your podcast listeners’ and see its statistics on popular platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Soundcloud, and more!
Its Magic Mastering feature could substantially improve the quality of your audio files. Besides this tool’s wonderful features, you can also customize your purchase according to your needs, and it comes with a free trial of 90 days. The premium version starts at $12 a month for the Standard package, $18 a month for Business, and $24 a month for Enterprise. All plans come with unlimited storage, members, and importing options, while upload time varies from plan to plan (you can upload up to 2 hours using the free tier).
Pro Tools
Among all the tools used, Pro Tools is one of the simplest software out there for creating, editing, and mixing podcasts. It is famous for virtual instrumentation and is widely used by musicians in the music industry. This app is regarded as one of the best tools for beginners.
Pro Tools offers a 30-day trial that comes with more than a hundred plugins, 2 GB of its high-quality library, and 1 GB of cloud storage. The annual plan costs only $30.
Podcast Post-Production Tools
As mentioned earlier, a raw audio file alone does not make a good podcast. You still have to take out the redundant parts and arrange different pieces in a way that engages your listeners. How do you do that? Easy! Correct audio errors, remove any unrelated content, and consider the podcast’s timing.
It is also a good idea to remove coughs, awkward pauses, parts that people talk over each other, and any other non-valuable parts to make your podcast more approachable. Doing these things may seem time- and energy-consuming, but it will pay off in the end, and your audience will feel the difference.
Do not skip any steps if you want to please your fans and potential listeners. They will not listen to something that’s carelessly produced.
Choosing the Podcast Tool That Is Right for You
There is a number of podcast tools can be suitable as long as they can trim, edit, compress, put parts together, and ultimately make a high definition podcast. What you need to consider are some personal factors, including your budget and goals, and the industry standards, and then choose your tool.
Make sure you have an exact checklist of your requirements, and then go through the podcast tools one by one. Note that sound effects probably shouldn’t be included, since they can be downloaded and added to almost every tool. Eliminate the options that are out of your price range and are not a good fit considering your requirements.
Also, don’t forget that the interface of the podcast tools is very important, as the easier it is to work with, the less time you need to spend on it and the better the result will be. Finally, with the right tool, you’ll produce a high-quality podcast that leads to more followers/listeners who turn into fans.
Choosing the Right Platform
Never forget that podcasts are not only for amusement; they can fulfill various objectives, like promoting businesses and drawing public attention. Some are informative and give listeners new perspectives. Some are motivating and inspirational. Some platforms might fulfill your goal better than others, so bear that in mind as well. You should also find out which platforms well-known podcasters in your topic area use to publish their work.
The Bottom Line
As listening to podcasts is becoming more popular worldwide, different podcast tools and applications are frequently introduced to facilitate and improve the podcast-making process. This makes your job easier – all you need to do to get started is find an interesting topic, get the right tools, and jump into the pool of podcasting.
In addition to bringing your topic and your energy to the table, you also need to understand who your audience is and what they are looking for. If you know your target audience, you will be able to set a strategy and stick to it.
But you might want to take advantage of some expert help during the complex process of creating and growing your podcast. At Smooth Business Growth, we are ready to give you a hand whenever needed. Get in touch with us for a podcast marketing strategy call or any other queries you might have. We are always looking forward to serving you!
