Starting a Podcast in 2025: Production Tips from Industry Pros
Noah Hedegaard
Founder & Director of Photography
Podcasting has never been more accessible , or more competitive. With over 4 million podcasts available worldwide, standing out requires more than just pressing record. The good news? Most podcasts have terrible audio quality, inconsistent publishing schedules, and no clear strategy. By getting the production fundamentals right, you'll immediately set yourself apart from 90% of the competition.
Essential Equipment Without Breaking the Bank
You don't need a professional studio to start a podcast, but you do need decent audio quality. Your listeners will tolerate imperfect content, but they won't tolerate bad audio. Invest in a quality USB microphone (the Shure MV7 or Rode PodMic are excellent starting points), a pop filter, and a quiet recording environment.
- Microphone: USB condenser or dynamic mic ($100-$300)
- Headphones: Closed-back monitoring headphones ($50-$150)
- Pop filter: Reduces plosive sounds ($10-$30)
- Acoustic treatment: Foam panels or even hanging blankets to reduce echo
- Recording software: Audacity (free), GarageBand (free on Mac), or Riverside.fm (remote recording)
Recording Best Practices
The recording environment matters more than the microphone. Choose the smallest, most furnished room available , carpeted rooms with bookshelves are ideal. Position your microphone 4-6 inches from your mouth at a slight angle. Record a test segment and listen back with headphones before committing to a full episode.
The Power of Video Podcasting
In 2025, video podcasts aren't optional , they're expected. Platforms like YouTube and Spotify heavily promote video podcast content, and clips from video episodes perform exceptionally well on social media. Even a simple two-camera setup dramatically increases your content's reach and repurposing potential.
A podcast gives you a platform. A video podcast gives you a platform, a content engine, and a community , all from the same recording session.
Editing and Post-Production
Editing is where good podcasts become great. Remove long pauses, 'ums' and 'ahs,' and tangential segments that don't serve the listener. Add intro/outro music, chapter markers, and normalize your audio levels. For video podcasts, add lower thirds, dynamic cuts between camera angles, and B-roll footage where appropriate.
Distribution and Growth
Distribute your podcast everywhere , Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Google Podcasts, and Amazon Music. Create audiograms and video clips for social media promotion. Consistency is critical; choose a publishing schedule you can maintain and stick to it religiously.
Want professional podcast production without the learning curve? Gaard Media offers full-service podcast production including recording, editing, video production, and distribution strategy.
Written by
Noah Hedegaard
Founder & Director of Photography
Noah is the founder of Gaard Media, a creative video production company based in Katy, TX. With a passion for cinematic storytelling, he helps brands, businesses, and creators tell compelling stories through video.
