If you’re trying to get your message out in the world, there’s no better time. According to research by Nielsen, 50% of all US homes are podcast fans—and podcasting itself is a famously cheap medium to dive into. Check out this guide to know how to start a Podcast

If you could technically start your own podcast with just your cell phone, why do you need dedicated tools? 

Ultimately, the right equipment and software can mean the difference between a professional-looking podcast with great audio, and one that sounds like you made it with your cell phone. If you’re interested in the basic tools you’ll need to get started, keep reading to learn how to start a podcast.

1. Microphone

Audio issues are often the one thing that’s impossible for listeners to overlook, even if you have the best possible content. A dedicated microphone, even an inexpensive one, can give you superior sound quality and better control over your audio.

2. Microphone Stand

Want to take your microphone to the next level, literally? A microphone stand will let you maneuver your microphone to the right distance from your mouth, without requiring you to hold it up or sit in an awkward position all the time.

2. Headphones

In an age when most of us are doing virtual interviews instead of face-to-face chats, a good set of headphones is more important than ever. You’ll need to hear what your guest is saying, so a pair of on-ear headphones is critical. And while headphone/mic combos are cheap and easy to find, they often sacrifice on quality for one or both components, so it’s best to have a separate set of each.

3. A Pop Filter

If you’ve never podcasted before, you may not be familiar with this inexpensive item. You can find them pretty easily online, and they’ll help you keep those annoying “plosives”—those popping “B” and “P” sounds—from affecting your audio quality.

4. Editing Software

There are plenty of free programs to help you record and edit your podcast if you’re just getting started, including the popular Audacity and GarageBand. If you’re looking to upgrade to better software, Adobe Audition is a great option as well.

5. ID3 Editor

If you’ve already got editing software dedicated to podcasting, this tool will be built in. However, if you’re working with free tools, you’ll also need to find an ID3 editor to help you add common information like the title or track number.

6. Podcast Hosting

If you already have a website for your podcast, you may not want your podcast to sit there eating all your bandwidth. There’s a huge spectrum of podcast hosting sites available these days, with some of them offering free services. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can even find the ones that have the right app integrations and marketing features you need.

7. A Design

If you’re going to put your podcast on iTunes, a catchy design or logo can help your podcast stand out from the crowd. Consider your vision for color art, and make sure it follows Apple’s requirements. If you don’t have the design skills to create your vision yourself, consider hiring an online freelancer to take care of it for you.

Now that you’ve got the tools and equipment you need, you’re probably ready to dive right in and start recording—but not so fast! There’s much more to podcasting than these basic tools, and you’ll want a few key strategies in your back pocket before you make the most of this new equipment. Check out this guide to learn everything you should do before you get started.