First is equipment, without it your in trouble. So what do you need, does it cost thousands? these are some common and good questions. What kind of mic should I use? How much should I spend on equipment?

All of those are questions you probably have and should be asking. I started out by doing the wrong things because I did not know what questions to ask. That is ok, but only if someone benefits from that mistake so lets get into it.

Lets look at things in an order from most important to least. The number one thing and the most important is audio.

Audio consists of your Mic, Your surroundings, and how it is delivered to your CPU or digital recorder. Please don’t take this as the all be all. You literally can start podcasting with a phone. If that is all you can afford or don’t want to invest money until you know if you will like it, than that is fine. Its more important that your doing it than not doing it. You can always add equipment later, but if you want to start out with a better set up than lets get into.

Mic’s Dynamic or Condenser. These are the two different types of mics. A dynamic mic is great for picking up loud noises such as live performances with instruments such as drums. Condenser mic is better for picking up the softer sounds such as a studio. Both will work but have some major differences. Things like the diaphragm, and how the sound is transferred. The biggest thing I want to make you aware of is Condenser mics will require 48 volts also known as phantom power. This means you will need to use either a soundboard/mixer or an external power source. If you would like to know more of the details on how both work here is a good article to read on the differences.

I will show you the mics I have used and the pros and cons.

This is my current Microphone: PROAR XLR Microphone Cardioid Condenser Microphone XLR with 25mm Large Diaphragm for Computer PC This mic provides great sound and reduces noises that come from behind it. The price is around 75.00 and is a condenser mic that will require phantom power. I love how small it is and does not take up the whole screen when your streaming. The mic is very sturdy and has held up to a few drops. One of the cons is the bracket that it mounts into does not like to stay tight and requires tightening periodically. This was a great upgrade from the mic I had. If your not looking to spend a ton than you can read more about it from the link below.

What I entered the podcasting world with: Donner Podcast Equipment Bundle, Podcast Kit Music Production Equipment with Audio Interface/Soundboard, All-in-One Podcast Kit with Condenser Microphone for PC/Phone/Pad for Streaming/Recording It comes with a sound board, however in this episode we are discussing Mics. The mic that comes with this is great if your testing podcasting out. You will quickly learn that having this mic will require additional time editing. It pics up background noise and if you move to the side of it, you will hear the loss in your sound. Donner is a great entry level product and this set up will only run you about 50 bucks. The soundboard has phantom power on it to power the mic. If you want to read more about this set up and are interested in it because of the low entry level price you can click on the link and see it on Amazon. For the price it is a great set up.

I am going to provide you some mics that are very popular and provide a lot of quality to your sound. I have not used some of these, however they have great reviews.

Most common: Blue Yeti Microphone (Blackout) with Knox Boom Arm Stand, Pop Filter and Shock Mount Bundle, USB. I personally am not a fan of USB mics. Main reason is if you have a guest that your interviewing live you will need some software to allow a second mic. It creates headaches, however if your alone or having guests virtually this is one of the best mics out there. We are not talking Joe Rogan level but for the price you won’t beat it. If you are interested in it they run around 170.00 and you can pick them up on amazon as well.

The bottom line is listeners will watch a show with bad video, however they will never listen to a show with bad audio. Once you have an audio set up that is good for you, you will probably not change it too much or too often. This is two reasons why I recommend spend the larger budget on Audio. Video upgrades all the time and modern phones have became almost movie quality recording. This is why I don’t recommend spending the largest part of your budget on video as you will probably upgrade more often. With that being said I will cover Video and Studio Set up in the next article.

Donald Dunn

Spirits and Stories with Donald Dunn Podcast.

The post Knowledge is Power: The More You Know The More You Grow first appeared on Military United Podcast Streams.

Title: Building a Following on a Podcast: Strategies for Success

Introduction:
In today’s digital age, podcasts have become a popular medium for sharing stories, knowledge, and entertainment. However, with countless podcasts available, building a following and standing out from the crowd can be a challenging task. In this article, we will explore effective strategies for building a loyal and engaged audience for your podcast. Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just starting out, these tips will help you navigate the competitive podcasting landscape and grow your following.

1. Define Your Target Audience:
   Before embarking on your podcasting journey, it’s crucial to identify your target audience. Who are you creating your podcast for? Understanding your audience’s interests, preferences, and needs will help you tailor your content to resonate with them. Conduct market research, engage with potential listeners on social media, and gather feedback to refine your podcasting vision.
2. Develop Compelling Content:
   Content is king in the podcasting world. Create high-quality episodes that provide value to your audience. Whether it’s informative, entertaining, or thought-provoking, your content should be well-researched, well-produced, and engaging. Consider inviting expert guests, sharing personal experiences, or discussing trending topics to captivate your listeners. Consistency is key, so establish a regular release schedule to keep your audience coming back for more.
3. Optimize Your Podcast for Discovery:
   To attract new listeners, optimize your podcast for discoverability. Choose a catchy and descriptive title that reflects the essence of your show. Craft an engaging podcast description that highlights the unique aspects of your content. Utilize relevant keywords in your episode titles and descriptions to improve search engine rankings. Submit your podcast to popular directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts to expand your reach.
4. Leverage Social Media:
   Harness the power of social media to promote your podcast and build a community around it. Create dedicated social media profiles for your podcast and share behind-the-scenes content, episode teasers, and engaging visuals. Engage with your audience by responding to comments, questions, and feedback. Collaborate with other podcasters or influencers in your niche to cross-promote each other’s shows. Utilize hashtags, join relevant groups, and participate in discussions to expand your network.
5. Engage with Your Audience:
   Building a loyal following requires nurturing relationships with your listeners. Encourage feedback, suggestions, and questions from your audience. Respond to comments and messages promptly, making your listeners feel valued and heard. Consider featuring listener stories or questions in your episodes to foster a sense of community. Incorporate listener-generated content or host live Q&A sessions to create a more interactive experience.
6. Seek Guest Opportunities:
   Expand your reach by seeking guest opportunities on other podcasts or inviting guests to appear on your show. Collaborating with other podcasters or industry experts exposes your podcast to new audiences and builds credibility. Cross-promotion through guest appearances can help you tap into established communities and attract new listeners who share similar interests.
7. Utilize Email Marketing:
   Build an email list to stay connected with your audience outside of the podcasting platform. Offer exclusive content, bonus episodes, or behind-the-scenes insights as incentives for listeners to subscribe to your mailing list. Regularly send newsletters or updates to keep your audience informed about new episodes, upcoming events, or special announcements. Email marketing allows for a more personalized and direct connection with your audience.

Conclusion:
Building a following on a podcast requires a combination of compelling content, effective promotion, and genuine engagement with your audience. By understanding your target audience, consistently delivering high-quality episodes, optimizing for discoverability, leveraging social media, and nurturing relationships, you can create a loyal and engaged community of listeners. Remember, building a following takes time and effort, so stay committed, adapt to feedback, and continue to provide value to your audience.

The post “Podcasting 101: A Step-by-Step Guide to Create Your Own Successful Podcast” first appeared on Military United Podcast Streams.

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