So, you want to start a podcast. These days, it’s easier than you think. Let’s talk about video podcasting as well. Here are a few steps and tools to get started.
Tools
You’ll need a mic and a camera. That’s it.
For the mic, consider a mid-grade mic and stand like this one. (It’s the one I use anyway.) Also consider using a lav mic like this one. However, the best brands are Rode, Sure, and Sennheiser, but they can get expensive.
We also recommend two software tools. For the first, anchor.fm is a great tool to record, edit, and publish your podcast across many platforms. Second, use riverside.fm to record HD audio and video, providing a much clearer sound and picture quality. We also use Garage Band on MacBook to edit the sound and Adobe Premiere Rush to edit the videos, though iMovie would probably be just as good.
Setting up
Please keep the following in mind when preparing to record yourself on video:
Clothing
- Wear a muted- and solid-colored shirt, like earth colors (no patterns). If you do wear a white shirt, consider a blazer or sweater, since white tends to glare on video.
- Avoid any brand names, logos, or stripes.
Location
- Choose a quiet, smaller room with soft surfaces to absorb sound.
- Look for a blank or minimally decorated wall in your home.
- Avoid cluttered backgrounds.
Lighting
- Make use of natural light if you can, like facing a window.
- If you need to use artificial lighting, place lights at eye level (but out of frame) and avoid overhead lights.
Camera Positioning
- Sit about 2–3 feet from your computer, placed at eye level.
- Look directly into the camera (not the screen) throughout the recording.
Microphone Positioning (if applicable)
- If you have an external microphone for your device, whether a lavalier mic or a standalone studio mic, position it about 6–12 inches from your mouth for the most natural sound. Talk like you would with a friend over coffee.
Recording on Zoom
Zoom isn’t the best recording tool out there, but it is the most common. You can use Zoom for free to record your video or audio podcast. Directions to make sure the recording function works properly are below and here.
- Sign in to the Zoom web portal.
- Click Settings.
- In the Recording tab, navigate to the Local Recording option and verify that the setting is enabled.
- If the setting is disabled, click the toggle to enable it. If a verification dialog displays, click Turn On to verify the change.
- Start a Zoom meeting as the host.
- Click the option to Record. (If there is a menu, select Record on this Computer.) You will see the following recording indicator in the top-left corner while recording is active.
- Check your camera and audio settings in the bottom right. You’ll see a caret (^) menu option to adjust settings. Consider turning on HD video and adjusting your mic settings.
- When you are finished recording, click the Stop button.
- End the meeting. Zoom will convert the recording so you can access the files. Once the conversion process is complete, the folder containing the recording files will open. Note: By default, the audio/video file (MP4) will be named Zoom_0.mp4. The audio only file (M4A) is named audio_only.m4a.
That’s pretty much it! If you have any questions about starting a podcast, we’d love to help!
