People often write to me asking for advice on starting a podcast.

And I've thought about it a great deal over the years.

The answer I've come up with really isn't all that specific to podcasting.

I think it applies to virtually every creative endeavor.

But hopefully, it'll be helpful.

To start a podcast, you don't need a fancy microphone.

You don't need a professional grade digital audio workstation.

What you need, ultimately, is to know in your heart that you suck.

And that you're gonna suck for a long time.

I know that's not inspirational, and I'm sorry if I'm the first person to tell you that.

But seriously, if you're starting a new creative project, you're terrible at it.

Pretty much without exception, everyone is awful when they start something new.

And not just in podcasting, but in all creative works.

Kubrick wasn't producing his best films when he was a teenager.

Monet didn't produce his best works the first time he picked up a paintbrush.

Even Mozart had to practice.

He was young, but he still had to learn.

So when he first start, you're gonna suck.

And the worst part of it is that if you want to start a podcast, then you're probably

a fan of podcasts.

Really good podcasts.

So your ear has become quite discerning as you've been listening to the end results

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