This post is part of a series titled How to start a podcast in 2025. If you’ve missed any of the posts, check back here.
1. Prepare Before You Record
Good preparation saves time and helps your episode sound polished.
- Write a loose script or outline to keep you on track.
- Rehearse key points so you sound natural.
- Test your mic levels and adjust gain to avoid distortion.
- Eliminate background noise by choosing a quiet space.
2. Start Recording
Keep these tips in mind to get the best quality audio:
Related Posts
- Speak clearly and at a steady pace.
- Pause between thoughts to make editing easier.
- Record a short test clip and listen back before starting the full episode.
- If you make a mistake, pause and restart the sentence instead of stopping the recording.
3. Edit for Clarity and Flow
Editing refines your episode and removes distractions.
- Trim silences, mistakes, and filler words (like “um” and “uh”).
- Adjust volume levels to ensure consistency.
- Add intro and outro music if desired.
- Use noise reduction tools to clean up audio.
4. Choose the Right Editing Software
Depending on your skill level, different tools can help:
- Free: Audacity (PC/Mac), GarageBand (Mac)
- Paid: Adobe Audition, Reaper, Hindenburg Journalist
Learn basic editing techniques, but don’t overcomplicate it—clear, clean audio is the goal.
5. Export Your Episode
Save your file in the right format:
- MP3 format (128-192 kbps for spoken word podcasts)
- Normalize volume levels to avoid sudden jumps in loudness.
- Name files clearly (e.g., “Episode-01-Intro.mp3”) for easy organization.
This post is part of a series titled How to start a podcast in 2025. If you’ve missed any of the posts, check back here.
