If You’d Prefer to NOT Sound Terrible Every Time You’re a Remote Guest on a Podcast, Please Invest ~$150 in the Right Gear so You Can Sound Good for the Rest of Your Life!

Wouldn’t it be great for listeners to hear your voice on a podcast and think, “Wow, he/she sounds really good.”

Well, if you think you can just wing it and sound OK by jumping on a podcast using crappy earbuds on a crappy computer connecting through crappy slow WiFi while laying on your couch with all kinds of noise in the background, you can’t.

When you invest in some good equipment for yourself you’ll be perceived as the professional you really are, instead of sounding terrible and being perceived as less. Science actually backs this up; a recent scientific study found that audio quality influences whether people believe what they hear — and whether they trust the source of information.

You’ll sound great on every podcast for the rest of your life with these 4 items costing around $150 total:

(And FYI these are NOT affiliate links, and I’m not selling this gear, only recommending)

1. Microphone ($70-100) — Here are 3 inexpensive dynamic USB microphones to choose from:
   • Audio-Technica AT2005USB Cardioid Dynamic USB/XLR Microphone: https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT2005USB-Handheld-Dynamic-Microphone/dp/B007JX8O0Y/
   • Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB Cardioid Dynamic Microphone: https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATR2100x-USB-Cardioid-Microphone-ATR/dp/B07ZPBFVKK/
   • Samson Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack (Includes Mic Clip, Desktop Stand, Windscreen and Cables): https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Handheld-Microphone-Recording-Podcasting/dp/B001R747SG/
2. Microphone Stand ($39): Gator Frameworks Short Weighted Base Microphone Stand
3. Foam Windscreen ($4): On-Stage Foam Ball-Type Microphone Windscreen, Black
4. Mic clip ($10): On-Stage MY320 Shock-Mount Dynamic Microphone Clip

A few other important best practices:

• You must wear earbuds or headphones when your microphone is being recorded. Always.
• You should consistently speak into the microphone with your mouth always being about 1-3” away from the mic when you’re speaking. The closer the better, but please make sure you don’t breathe heavily right into the microphone when you’re NOT speaking 😉
• Restart your computer before the recording session
• Make sure your WiFi signal is strong (or connect via ethernet cable)
• Minimize all background noise like fans and air conditioners, and don’t make any distracting noises like moving things around your desk, clicking a pen, or tapping your foot, etc. — be quiet, except for talking 😉

And now, speaking for all podcast listeners, producers, editors, and hosts:

THANK YOU SO MUCH for sounding your best and providing a good listening experience for all of us so we can keep listening and keep enjoying you!!!

If you have any questions contact me.

Sound good, feel good, do good.