I Used Riverside.fm to Start a Podcast. Here is My Review

These days, it feels like everyone has a podcast, and with so many people getting into it, I figured there had to be money in it. So, I decided to jump in and try to produce my very first podcast episode using just my Blue Yeti microphone and Riverside.fm. I wanted to find out how hard (or easy) it is to start a podcast, especially for someone with no previous experience, and discover why Riverside.fm is such a popular platform — especially for beginners like me.

The Basics of Starting a Podcast

Before we dive into Riverside.fm, let’s quickly cover the essential steps of starting a podcast.

Step 1: Choose Your Podcast Style

Decide on a format — solo discussions, interviews, educational topics, or storytelling. I chose interviews for their dynamic nature and minimal need for scripting.

Step 2: Plan Your Episodes

Outline or script your episodes based on your preference. For beginners, a good balance is key. All you need to start is a good microphone and a laptop.

Step 3: Set Up Equipment

Invest in a quality microphone if you can. Popular options are the Shure MV7, Blue Yeti, and Rode. I went with the affordable Blue Yeti, known for its professional-grade audio.

Why I Chose Riverside.fm

Now, let’s get into why Riverside.fm stood out to me. As a beginner, I wanted something intuitive that wouldn’t overwhelm me with complicated settings. Riverside is an all-in-one, web-based platform that simplifies the entire process of recording high-quality audio and video content. It’s especially designed for podcasters, interviewers, and content creators.

Here are a few key reasons why Riverside.fm is great for beginners:

1. Easy Setup and Local Recording

One of the standout features of Riverside.fm is its local recording capability. Even if you or your guest have a spotty internet connection, the platform records high-quality audio and video locally, ensuring your final product is crisp and clear. As someone just starting, I didn’t want to worry about technical issues or fluctuating internet speeds — Riverside.fm takes care of that for you.

2. Beginner-Friendly Interface

The platform is incredibly intuitive. Setting up your first recording session only takes a few clicks. I didn’t have to dig through complicated menus or adjust endless settings — everything was laid out in a simple, user-friendly way. That’s a big relief for someone like me who just wants to hit “record” and get started.

3. Built-In Tools for Collaboration

Inviting guests to your podcast can be tricky with some software, but Riverside.fm makes it seamless. You can send a simple invite link, and your guest joins the recording session without any hassle. This feature makes it a perfect choice for interview-style podcasts. Below is the screenshot of me and my friends Kennedi from The Silverspoon Podcast recording our first episode together.

4. AI Features for Time-Saving Editing

One of the coolest things about Riverside.fm is its AI-powered tools that make editing super easy. They have a text-based editor, which means you can edit your podcast without having to listen to every single minute of your recording (a dream for those who cringe at hearing their own voice). The editor even automatically removes filler words and awkward pauses, making the whole process faster.

Plus, Riverside.fm has a feature called Magic Clips. It automatically generates vertical clips with captions, ready to post on social media. This is perfect for repurposing your podcast into bite-sized content for Instagram or YouTube Shorts, which is something I plan to do in the future.

Recording My First Episode

After setting up my Blue Yeti mic and opening Riverside.fm, I was ready to hit record. My first guest was a friend who runs a financial education podcast, and we talked about what it takes to create a successful podcast. The recording process was smooth, and the quality of the audio was impressive, even though we were both recording remotely.

The best part? I didn’t have to stress about my Wi-Fi cutting out or affecting the quality. Riverside.fm handled it all with ease.

Editing Made Easy with Riverside.fm

Editing can be the most daunting part of creating content, especially for beginners. But Riverside.fm’s AI-powered editor was a game-changer for me. It allowed me to cut out awkward pauses and filler words effortlessly. I didn’t even have to listen to myself, which is great because, let’s be real — nobody loves the sound of their own voice.

The built-in tools saved me so much time that I was able to edit and finish my first episode in just a few hours. For a beginner, time-saving tools like these are crucial because they keep you from getting overwhelmed or frustrated during the editing process.

How Riverside.fm Simplifies Podcasting for Beginners

In summary, here’s why Riverside.fm is perfect for beginners:

• User-Friendly Interface: The platform is simple to navigate, even if you’ve never recorded audio before.
• High-Quality Recording: Local recording ensures your audio stays top-notch, even with shaky internet.
• Effortless Guest Invitations: Inviting guests is as simple as sharing a link, and Riverside.fm does the rest.
• AI Editing Tools: Features like Magic Clips and the text-based editor take the pain out of editing.

After finishing my first episode, I uploaded it to Spotify with ease. The whole process — from recording to editing to publishing — was smooth, and I couldn’t have done it without Riverside.fm.

Final Thoughts on Riverside.fm

For anyone looking to start a podcast, especially beginners, Riverside.fm is a fantastic choice. It’s easy to use, has professional-quality features, and saves you time on editing. If you’re serious about starting a podcast and want a platform that simplifies the entire process, I highly recommend Riverside.fm. Plus, they offer 15% off your subscription with the code CHRISTINASSH, making it even more accessible for those just starting out.